The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 202: what you’re looking at

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Dh rr THE MYS8TERIFS OF THE COURT. 191 “Tt is really useless to spoil a good sheet of paper, my lord,” was the merchant’s coldly con- temptuous reply, as he locked up the safe. The Viscount affected to laugh: but he bit his lip with deep concentrated rage, as he theught within himeelf, “ Insult upon insult! The purse- pride of this up-start plebeian is intolerable!” While that expression of impotent fury was still upon Rushbrook’s counteyance, the full gaze of Latham’s cold blue eyes was suddenly turned upon him—indeed with an abruptness that made Rush- brook start. But again recovering his self- possession, he ran his fingers through his dark hatr, —saying with another laugh, “Now, then, for this bottle which is promised.” Sir Frederick Latham Jed the way back to the dining-room—reng the bell—and gave the order for the wine. As he sate for another half-hour with the Viecount, his discourse again turned upon general topics; and he spoke precisely as if no- thing unpleasant had taken placo,—while his de. meanour exhibited that courtesy, so coldly polished, which was habitual with him. The fresh supply of wine being finished, the merchant and the Vis- count repaired to the drawing-room,—where they partook of coffee with Anastatia; and the young lady had not the slightest reason to suspect that anything of a disagreeable character had occurred betwixt her husband and her brother. It was about eleven o'clock when the Viscount’s dashing phaeton was driven round, by the exqui- sitely dressed groom, from the stables to the front of the mansion. The night was very dark; and the lamps of the vehicle were lighted. Lord Rush- brook, having taken leave of his sister and his brother-in-law, paused for a few moments in the hall to light a cigar; and he then ascended to the box-seat,—receiving the whip and reins from the hande of his groom. He was somewhat the worse for the great quantity of wine which he had drunk; and the domestic, if he had dared, would have remonstrated against his master’s undertak- ing to drive on the occasion: but he knew the Viscount’s temper, and accordingly held his peace. His lordship was in rare spirits: he had the two thousand pounds in his pocket—he was elated with wine—be was proud of his beautiful turn-out— and the impression of the disagreeable scene with bis brother-in-law having now completely worn off, be said to himself, “Since Latham never refuses his money, I shan’t hesitate in future in applying to him even oftener than I have hitherto done.” The equipage dashed along the avenue towards the gates which were thrown open by the porter; and as the steeds flew through that entrance-way, the groom noticed with a shudder how closely the wheel whisked past the iron post. Tho road upon which they entered, wes broad and even: the horses knew that they were returning homeward ; and they proceeded at a rapid rate. The equipage had scarcely gone a quarter of a mile from the gates, whon on turning a somewhat sharp corner, the phaeton deshed against a post, and was lnstan- taneously overturned. The groom was stunned, and lay senseless on the road: but as if the adage should be fulfilled which declares “there is a special providence for drunken wen and children,” the Viscount escaped totally unburt. He was instantaneously upon his feet; and he fancied that a man, wearing some strange white dress, waq at the horses’ heads, —to which indeed the stranger had instantaneously rushed, he being on that very spot at the time— so that the wild progress of the animals was arrested. “Thank you, my good fellow!” said Rushbrook, shaking himself as he sprang up to his feet, “Just hold on there for a moment while I look to the groom. Ah!” he continued, having examined his dependant, “he is stunned, but not killed. Well! that’s lucky. And now for the carriage. Well, by heaven! this is lucky again { Nothing broken that I can see, except the lamps. I think those horses will stand now. Just come and Jend me a hand to set the phacton up- right.” The man to whom these words were eddressed, did not give utterance toa syllable in reply; but stilihe appeared to comprehend what was said; for having patted the borses’s necks, he approached the Viscount. “Why, you are a Lascar—or a Chinaman—a Malay—or something of the sort?” exclaimed Rushbrook, as the man emerged from the com- parative obscurity: for the lights of both the lamps were extinguished—there were no gas-lamps in that part of the road—nor was there any house near. “Why the deuce don’t you speak. You seem to understand me.” The Lascar made a sign that he was dumb: but be at once addressed himself to the business of raising the phaeton,—which he did in a very few moments by his own unaided strength, The groom was now recovering; and the Lasecar, lift. ing the man in his powerful arms, placed him in the vehicle. “You are a very useful fellow,” said the Vis- count; “and I can’t think of giving you less than five shillings for your services.” Thus speaking, the nobleman thrust his hand into his breeches’ pocket; and with that careless. ness which was partially characteristic, and par- tially the result of his inebriate condition, he pulled forth all the contents of thet pocket—gold, silver, and bank-notes. . Quick as lightning the Lascar seized upon the notes: it was one rapid clutch which he made at them; and the next in- stant he was darting away as quick as his legs could carry him. “Stop thief!” vociferated the Viscount, wild with rage and fury: but even before his voice had ceased t» vibrate in the air, the white garments of the robber ware lost in the darkneas of the night. A terrible execration burst from Rushbrook’s lips: but he dared not speed in pursui¢t. Ip the first place, he waa a coward: ideas of deggers and knives connected with that Lascar, swept through his brain ;—and in the second place, he dared not quit the equipage. His hasty ejaculations startled the groom almost completely back into life; and he aaid, “ What is the matter, my lord ?” Rushbrook was on the very point of proclaiming the extent to which he had been robbed,—when if struck him that if be were to do so, be must in- evitably cut the figure of the veriest dastard in the eyes of his dependant, for not having af once pureucd the plunderer. Thus, though elmost maddened with vexation, his pride nevertheless inspired him with sufficient self-posgension to make LOOOLK (CO |