The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

178 Angelique begs to add that she has placed her outatanding accounts in the hands of Mr. Isaac Shadbolt, who will save her ladyship the trouble of sending to Brixton Hill, by personally waiting on her ladyship at So-and-So Mansion.’—There | what do you think of that?’ exclaimed Shadbolt triumphantly. “ None of these ladies owe me anything at all,” responded Madame Angelique: “they have all paid me _ “TI know that very well,” said Shadbolt; “and you know equally well that it has nothing to do with the case. You write the billete—let me take them—and you will very soon see if in every in- stance I do not obtain the money. If any indi nation is shown, I shall very soon give the fair ones to understand that it is a bribe for your secresy in respect to their former doings at your house. In short, it is a genteel and pleasant little mode of extortion which they cannot possibly re- sist.” Madame Angelique reflected for some moments; and then she said, “I would rather not do it— much rather not.” —- “Ob, I understand!” cried her visttor peta- lantly; “you have not sufficient confidence in - honest Ike Shadbolt? you think that when F once ‘ get hold of the money, I shall use the last syllable of my name—which means bolt. But there's no- thing of the sort to be feared. Honour amongst ——ahem! I mean honour betwixt Madame An- gelique and honest Ike Shadbolt.” “Still I would rather not,” answered the retired milliner. “ How ridiculous !” ejaculated Shadbolt. “ You know that you can trust me. Besides, give me one little billet ata time; and ag I bring back the cash to be divided, you can give me another.” “You do not underatand my objection,” said Madame Angelique. “The truth is that my late business was nearly getting me into such serious trouble—as no one better knows than yourself— that when I settled down here at this ville, I made up my mind to lead a quiet life and avoid every- thing that could possibly involve me in difficulties for the future.” “But there is no chance of trouble in what I I propose,” persisted Shadbolt. ‘The proceed- ing——”’ “It is extortion—or attempted extortion—or whatever the English laws calls it,” observed Ma- dame Angelique. “Not a bit of it! Suppose, for instance, a lady defies you—takes the high ground—says that she owes you nothing—that she can produce your re- ceipts—and that she does not understand the “nature of the threats held out through meP Well, if we really eee that the game can’t be played in that quarter, an apology must be made. ‘ Ma- dame Angelique presents her complimente to Lady So-and-So, and deeply regrets that a mistake should have been made in respect to her ladyship's account, which was entirely owing to an erroneous entry in Madame Angelique'’s books; but which is now completely rectified.’—What can be better than that ?” “ This does indeed look feasible,” said Madame Angelique: “but I will think over it——there is po erry for a dey or two———I_ will let you ww.’ THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “Good!” said Shadbolt. “There is, as you say, no hurry in the matter. And now I'll ring for lunch.” With that free-and-easy, independent manner which characterized him, Mr. Isaac Shadbolt pulled the bell; and when the pretty maid-servant an- swered the summons, he said, “ Your mistress wants you to bring up lunch, my dear.” “Yes, sir :”’—and the girl was about to retire. ‘“‘ Stop one moment!” exclaimed Mr. Shadbolt. “Bring up everything cold there is in the larder, so that I can take my choice——-and some bottled stout—port and sherry, of course——and I don’t mind having a gless or two of that fine old Medeira——.”’ “ Bring up the tray, Jane, as usual,” seid Ma. dame Angelique, thus addressing herself to the servant and cutting short her visitor’s multifarious orderg. “ Mr. Shadbolt,” she continued, when the maid-servant had withdrawn, “ I must beg of yoa to let me be the mistress of my own house. You are very welcome to visit me—and if we enter into that business of which we were just now talk. ing, it will be necessary that you should call fre- quently. Bat you must not usurp an authority within these walls—you would compromise me seriously. Pray bear in mind that I have got an entirely new set of servante———none of those that I had at the other establishmeut. All they know of me is that I am Madame Angelique, the fashion: able milliner, who has retired from business on 8 fortune——” “ And quite enough for them to know! De. pend upon it, my dear madam, you shall never be compromised by honest Ike Shadbolt.” “TI hope not,” responded the Frenchwoman em- phatically. ‘“ There is not a soul in the neighbour- hood who suspects that there was anything wrong in that establishment of mine: the clergyman has already left his card—two or three good families have likewise called-———” “Then you will be giving a party soon,” ex- claimed Mr. Shadbolt: “and I shall be master of the ceremonies. By the bye, that is an uncom- mon pretty girl—the pariour-maid, I mean———” “TI hope you will not speak to her familiarly, nor look at her insolently,” said Madame Ange- lique, with grave and serious demeanour. “Wo, no, my dear madam!” responded Shad- bolt. “Ido not forget that you fave grown re- spectable. Ah! it’s a capital thing to become respectable—and settle down in a respectable neighbourhood—and be visited by respectable families—and go to the Protestant Church or the Catholic Chapel in a respectable way on Sundeys ——Ah, by the bye! if I were you, my dear madam, I would come the church-dodge: there's nothing like the church-dodge. Be sure to hire a pew—go to church regularly: and if you can snivel a little bit in the middle of the sermon— of course choosing the proper part—your respecta- bility is established.” Madame Angelique could not help smiling at this tirade into which Mr. Isaac Shadbolt launched forth 3 and she said, “ Well then, if you are eo very anxious that I should keep myself respectable, pray do your best to keep up my respectability. Don’t call the servant-girl my dear ——”’ “ Nor yet chuck her under the chin,” added Mr. Shadbolt. . GOnMIG OOo (CO