The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

two lawyers seperated, and proceeded to different parte of the room to mingle amongst the gay and brilliant groups of Lady Saxondale’s guests. But we need not extend this chapter nor dwell at any greater length upon the details of the splendid entertainment; but will at once proceed to turn the reader's attention to a place and a scene contrast- lea . iF eE ie Bids Radt tomestes bank EF of. It was a wretched place, Solomon of 3 j ef it k who were accustomed to use the room, to euler by the the absent indi stopped sort of and this atti E any one of Mr. Patch’s friewte chee cineeretanon might compel to seek a temporary retirement uatil some menacing storm was blown over. It was into the conference-room above described. Madge Somers snd Chiffin the Cannibal as- a having obtained a candle from “Well,” said Chiffin as he took a seat upon a rude stool, “I suppose you have brought me my blunt according to P I have been thinking a good deal over that adventare of last night ——” “Then I beg you will not think any more of it,” interrupted Madge peremptorily. “An agreement agreement : E The Cannibal was about to give some surly reply, when Madge, thrusting her hand into her pocket, dzew forth s quantity of sovereigns which she placed pre- | closeted together ; him from laying out the fow shillings that to transact with him I thought there would be no have rendered it somewhat decent. But! harm in joining you.” answered the purpose | “Ah! I suppose it doesn’t suif your gentility,” at its rude furniture— | growled Chiffin, “to stand lurking about down at blackened walls: nor were the the bar, or to go and sit amongst my pals in the of | tap-room.” windows or the places | laughing good-naturedly, and thus THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. H upon the table. The aghé of the goid at once the hornble countenance of the ruffian clear —that is to say, it cloared up as much as the m gioom of a thunder-eluud can be said to when the sun shines forth from another part of heaven upon it. “Here are your hundred pounds,” said Madge: “ and now be contented.” “Well, the lonk of this precioss metal, as romance-writers call it,” said Chiffin, “is enough to i an SE 2 —_ F to say—~unilees it is to offer to stand a bowl of punch down stairs if you will eome and partake of it.” But ere the woman had time to givo the negative answer which she was about to return, the door opened, and Lady Bess sauntered with graceful eases into the room. She was apparelled exactly in the same manner as wheo we previously devoribed her, “TI hope I am not intruding,” she said. “That old scoundrel Soloman told me you were up here and as I have got a little business “Is it not strange, Chiffin,” anperiryer Aer. two splendid rows of tooth that graced hat rich mouth, “that you always have something compli- mentary to say tome? And yet I invanebly treat bed for the accommodation of | you with as much civility as posable.” “Perhaps, you think, more than I deserve,” re- marked Chiffin, sumewhat softened by Lady Bess’s open-hearted frankness. “Under circumstances is certainly is,” she re- : “for you scarcely ever say a civil word to me.” “I don’t know how it is, but I can’t say that I dishke you,” resumed Chiffin; “and yet I don’t al- together feel myself at home in your presence. You are too fine and grand for me. Bendes, you and I never act together.” “Our avocations are so different,” exclaimed Lady Bess, with another merry laugh. “But what Now, Madge, you see the Oannibal’s eyes giisten; and he is actually excited with the hint I have thrown out.” “It's because in his heart he feels honoured by this confidence you are going to show him,” ob GOMGOOo @) CO