The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 345: what you’re looking at

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

The footman to whom the card was given, ec- cordingly tenk it up to the drawing-reom where Christian was ecatedl,-—-Christina being engaged with some young lady-friends in the music-room at the time. Our young hero was astonished as well as an- nayed to find that his former sequaintancea of Mivart’s Hotel had tasned up again. He however thought it would be too discourteous to refuse to grent them an interview; and he bade the foot- man conduct them up to the drawing-room. The three Germans accordingly made their appearance wand a very chabby one it was. The young Duke of Marchmoné could not help thinking that if they were really still attached to the household of the reigning Sovereign of Maxe-Stalburg-Quotba, the fortunes of that high end mighty potentate must have experienced considerable dilapidation, Bat he had sot many instants for any deliberate refiec- tiom at all, —inasmuch as the Chevalier Gumbiunen derted forward and seised Christian ip an embrace, with which, considering the mingled savour of onions, cubss, and perspiration, he could have very veil dispensed. “Mine vere goot friend!” exclaimed the Che- valier ; “ you eall be for breaking mine heart with vare great joy for again to see you !” “ Begar! his Graeo sall have much improved | Him quite de great nobleman !”——and how it wae the Chevalice Kadger who took his turn in bestow- ing an affectionate embrace. “Mine noble friends! mine vare goot friends !” cried Frumpheabauses, prepering to inflict the aame token of warm feeling towards the young Duke: bet he was disappointed—for Christian, finding these compli to be intolerable, hastily etepped behind the table; and pointing to ebsira, tequested his three visitors to be seated. The Chevalier Gumbinnen—who af the time. of their former acquaintance could scarcely speak a word of English, but who bed since picked up « erude smattering thereof—cgntinued to sat ag epokesman. He explained how delighted himself and his companivas were when on arriving in England a few days back, they eocidentally learnt thes the former secretary to their illustrious gaaeter waanow Duke of Marchmont. The Cheva- hier wont on to say that the reigning Duke of Maxe-Stolburg-Quotha was coming in the coursa of the week to pass aome little time in the Britiah matropolis; and that hig Royal hness had therefore eens over those three afficers of his bause- | the bold to have everything in readiness at Mivart’s Hatal by the time of hia arrival. Hence their presence in London; and as a matier of course (acoosding to the Okevalier Gumbinnen’s account) they gould not possibly avaid the pleasure of pay- ing their respecte to the Duke of Marchmont. Christian listened with a cold reserve: for he knew very well that Gumbinnen, though ie Eng- land a Chevalier and a Lord Chamberlain, was whea in Germany nothing but a valet—that the Chevalier Kadger, in England an equarry, was in Germany a footman—and that Frumpenbaused, a Count and a Gold Stick when on his travels, wes in bis awa native land a lecquey with a brase- headed cane. Tha young Duke of Marchmont moreover knew that theses beggarly fellows wera capable of any meanness in order to obtain muney or refreshments; and that although they could not help their miserable poverty yet had no right to assume the titles and quence which they affected on the British soil, Chevalier Gumbinnen, looking around the roem. “You sall be remembering de bottles of wine we yvil. Nos choosing to take any of these hints, Chris- tien seid, “I saw your friend Baron eome time ago, in a conditios ~~” “Ah! dat Raggidbek vare great raskal !" ejeau- lated Gumbinnen: “him greet scemp—bim big tief—hbim vare bad man indeed !” “Him dem bed |” added the Chevalier Kedger emphatically. ’ . “Him make way wid de splendid harness of his Royal High hausen. “I believe,” ‘ dressing himesif to the Count, “that you Palece on the night of the mpperf—ocr at least exch was the rumour on the occasion.” “Te all lies!” exclaimed Frumpenhaugen, ecicur- ing tremendously. “De peoplesaall be at times about us great folks. Schama ome wtp? e to put dawn your press.” he seeing dat. de Prince Albert use és Never 5” eS Christian warmly. “ reigning Duke of Maxe-Stolburg-Quotha en- terteins such an ides, he never wag more mistakea in his life, As for me, I am without prejudices: but since you have assumed an air of confidences, I must tell you very plainly that judging from whet I saw of your magter when I was in his service, the lees frequently he visits the British realm, the more acrecable ought is to be to the British people.” “Vare goot! vare goot!” exoleimed the Che- valier Gumbinnen. “ De oftener he eall come to England, de mare agrecable to de British peoples t Dat is excellent! But sall I riag de bell, milor, (or dat wine you was ao kind for to offer us, an we are ao tirsty P”’ “I must tell you very frankly,” enawered the Duke of Marchmont, rising from bia cat, “that I have nu longer any time te bestow upon you.” “Vare govt!” exclaimed the Chevalier Guim LOOOLK (CO