The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 39: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MYSTERIZES OF THE COURT. They had almost decided upon a third when they recollected that the ice-punch was by no means of good quality the last time they were there; and the name of a fourth hotel was likewise black-balled on the score that there was never enough of cayenne in the soup. A fifth hotel was discussed for ten minutes, but also eschewed, not through any fault in the culinary department, but becanse the proprietor had attended to oppose Lord Cecil Stafford whea he went through the Court; and a aixth was discarded because the head-waiter had such very bad teeth. Ulti- mately these two aristocratic coxcombs decided upon their dining-place ; and thither did they repair. The important process of dinner engaged them up till nearly ten o’clock ; and then they issued forth to smoke their cigars fn the Quadrant, and look at the women parading there. Lord Harold was perfectly sober; but his friend admitted to him, with the mysterious confidence of inebriation, that he was already “more then balf-seas over.” Having taken a few strolis wp end down the Quadrant,—the areade of which was not then cleared away,—they agreed upon adjourning to some place of amusement ; and after due delibera- tion, decided upon the gaming table. They ac- cordingly turned out of the Quadrant into one of the diverging streets, and stopped at a door over which a brilliant p. was 5 they knocked and rung, and the door was instan- tancously opened by a porter who was always on the alert within. They entered—and the door was immediately closed again. Nodding familiarly to the porter, who evidently knew them well, they along the passage to a second door, which even the most superficial observer might perceive to be of extraordipary strength and solidity : indeed, it was plated all over with iron. A emall wicket, about a foot square was opened in this door, and a man’s countenance through fora moment; but recognising the two noblemen, this second porter, to whom that countenance belonged, closed the wicket and pro- ceeded to open the door iteelf. Heavy bolts were heard to draw back and chains to fall, thus evincing no ordinary precautions on the part of the proprietors of the gambling-house to barricade themselves against the incursions of the police. Passing on, andagain nodding familiarly to the official, Harold and Edmund ascended a carpeted staircase, and reached a handsomely furnished room, of spacions dimensions, with the gaming- table in the middle and a well-spread sideboard atthe extremity. This dideboard was covered with refreshments, including the oboicest descrip- tions of French wines. The table in the centre, unlike the old-fashioned tables, was square—or rather oblong—covered with green baize, and having billiard-pockets at the four corners and on each side. It was also contrived in euch a manner that all around there were moveable borders, or ledges, which might be raised ao as to form the cushions of a regular billiard- table; but as these borders were now let down —< an uD ot ihe come The croupiers, or table, were seated in their proper places, with of the light thrown by the gas-lamps suspended above the board. The bank, or stock of money, was contained in a large cash-box on the table before the senior croupier. But on the r right hand of this individua] was a very extraordinary- looking piece of mechanism, standing upon s ‘pedestal. This instrument had the appearance of a coffee-grinder, with the bow! to receive what- ever was to be ground, and the handle to work the grinding machinery: bat instead of having any visible opening for the ground material to ran out of, that part of the mill where this opening ought to be was fixed in the To complete the description of the several features which the interior of this room presented to the view, we must add that there were three or four bells hanging against the wall, having wires of communication with the various parts of the house, even up to the very roof, in order that those who were on the watch above, below, and peace eircrand spider premises, might be enabled to give warning at the first appear- ance of anything ike alarm There were upwards of a dosen persons around the table, oooupied fn playing, when Lord Harold and Edmend entered the room. Some of these in- dividuals were sitting as quiet and composedly as if engaged in the most matter-of-fact others were stan d these wore the feverish Here | and excited players. But of those who were seated, two or three were mere “ decoys "—that is to say, persons actually hired by the proprietor of the place not only for the perpose of always keeping the game going, but likewise of en- couraging the unwary and inexperienced to stake their money. This being what is termed “a fashionable hell,” only a certain olass of individuals were admitted; namely, those who were known to belong to the wealthy circles: and thus, so far as apparel and outward appearances went, the company were in that sense “ * enough. Bat if their characters came to be closely scratin- ized and deeply probed, the investigation would doubtless have efforded an additional proof to the thousand and one already existing, that the villany and profligacy which broadcloth and fine linen cover, are far greater than the vice and depravity which lurk beneath fustian or down- right rage. Neither Lord Harold Staunton vor Lord Saxon- dale had much money in their at the time to play with: but etill they had o few five- pound notes and sovereigns between them; and these they ventured upon the chances of the game. They had been thus ccoupied for aboat half-an-hour, and had lost the greater portion of what they had pat down, when one of the beils suddenly rang furiously. “Top of the house!” ejaculated one of the crouplors, distinguishing at a glance which bell it was that rung, and therefore from which quarter the alarm proceeded. Oonfusion and diemay seleed upon the two young noblemen and the five or six least ex- perienced individuals present: but the older hands, including the oroupiers and the decoys, showed no bewilderment nor excitement ad all; and though their actions were prompt, yet what they did do was done with calmness and self-posses- sion. One of the croupiers took out all the Ppank- rakes in their hands, and green shades over their | notes and gold from the cash-box, which he placed eyes to screen thera from the exceeding vividness upona shelf, securing the money about his person. COMICOO® SS COMM