The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 41: what you’re looking at

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eee 30 therefore I thought that I might take the liberty, | THE MYSTEBIES OF THE OCOURT. “‘Oh, bother take Exeter Hall at this present under peculiar circumstances, of inviting you here, moment!” cried the saint; and his interjection on the present occasion.” “The truth is,’ answered Mr. White Choker, “that hypocritical scoundrel Obadiah Soufflenose, the Vice-President of our Society, frequente your house ; and as he and I are at daggers-drawn ” “ And yet,” exclaimed Madame Angelique, with some degree of astonishment, “I saw the other day a published letter of your’s to the gentleman you name, and commencing, ‘ Dearest and best beloved brother in the good work, Obadiah Snuf- flenose 7 “J tell yowonce more,” said Mr. White Choker, with considerable asperity, “that we are not sit- was accompanied by a most unsaint-like oath. “You want five hundred guineas for this Linda P Hum! ha! But is she so very beautiful? is she well formed —stout—luxurious ” ‘““A superb bust, my dear Mr. Choker. But come! here are writing-materials—draw up the cheque—and I will go and fetch the charming Linda, so theé you may arrive at a speedy de cision.” With these words, Madame Angelique quitted the boudoir; and ascended to the chamber of the German girl,~—who having, like Miss Eglantine, recently dismissed an admirer who regularly visited ting in committee upon the distribution of that |ter twice a week, was finishing her toilet by the last new tract addressed to all savoury vessels. But d—n the veestls! My dear madam, let’s get to business. Why did you send for me?” “If you were to hear, Mr. White Choker,” con- tinued Madame Angelique, “ that I have the love- liest German girl beneath this roof, who has only gone astray once—once, upon my honour, and no more 7 “ Ah, if I thought I could rely upon you,” said Mr. Choker, whose curiosity, as well as a stronger passion, was considerably piqued. “ But it was not altogether on account of Snufilenose that I have staid away from your establishment for the last three or four years: it was because that young creaturo—you remember hef well—that you fur- nished me, with the solemn assurance she was chastity herself, presented me with—a—a—thump- ing boy four of five months afterwards, and threatened to expose me if I did not provide for the brat. Ab, madam, that was a sad, sad af- fair + “But, my dear friend Mr. Choker,” inter- rupted Madame Angelique, “wo are all liable to error ” ‘But ‘such an error as that, my dear madam ! Only conceive a thumping boy !”’—and the white- cravatted gentleman’s countenance became s0 elongated at the bare thought, that at the moment it could have vied with the length of her bright poker itself. “ Well, my dear sir, I admit the thumping boy was a great nuisance—a very great nuisance. But in this case, with my beautiful charming Linda, who has only fallen once, there cannot possibly be any such apprehension. If you were just to see her But what do you think P” ejaculated the milliner, thus suddenly interrupting hereelf. “Old Lord Wenham was here just now, and he actually and positively drew me out a cheque for four hundred guineas for this sweet German. And what did I say? ‘No, no, my lord; I have the honour of being acquainted with a gentleman who will give five hundred!’ That’s what I said, Mr. Choker!” “ But you mentioned no name ?” said the saint, anxiously. “Not for the world!” responded Madame An- gelique. to Exeter Hull when you are to speak—and she will wave the white handkerchief—she will weep too at your most pathetic passares——in fact, sho will sct an cntire bench-full of the audience whim- “ And this dear Linda, who is discretion | itself,—she will never betray you: but she will go: aid of a female dependant. The maid was dis- missed from the room; and Madame Angelique, having intimated her intention of retiring into private life, proceed to addrees the young lady in the following manner :~— “It is therefore my duty as well as my plea- sure, dear Linda, to provide for yourself and com. penions. You know what I have just done for Eglantine; and now it ie your turn. A very pious gentleman will take you: into his keeping: he will pension you handsomely ; and when your child is born—which I suppose will be in about five months—he mest provide for it liberally, because you will have him completely in your power. He has got a wife and large family ; and if you only threaten to go to his house and create a distur- bance, you might bring him to any terms. He is immensely rich, and as thorough-paced a hypocrite as ever the sun shone upon. Of course, my dear girl, you will keep your condition « secret as long as you can; and between you and moe, I have assured him that you are but one remove from complete chastity However, you will know how to manage your white-cravatted puritan ; and now come and be introduced to him. Stop il—-you can throw a kerebief over your neck, so as to appear modest; and you can easily suffer it to glide off, as if quite unconsciously, in the bashful confusion of your thoughts.” Linda was well pleased with the arrangements thus sketched forth ; and the kerchief being duly thrown over her neck, she accompanied Madame Angelique to the boudoir, where Mr. White Choker had in the meantime penned the cheque for five hundred guineas. Linda appeared all blushing modesty; and her looks were bent down, as the saint devoured her with hie gloating eyes. There was a little conversation, during which the kerchief glided off from the syren’s white neck and voluptuous bosom; and her triumph was complete. In the evening Mr. White Choker came in a street-cab to fetch away his charmer; and though he dared not use his own private carriage for the purpose, he nevertheless promised that on tho fol- lowing day Linda should have the moet beautiful turn-out of her own that was to be seen in all London. He installed her in a beautifal little suburban villa, ready furnished, and which he haa hired off-hand for her immediate accommodation : then, as an cxcus> for passin, that first night away from home, he assured the wife of his bosom, the excellent Mrs. White Choker, that he was going to keep a vigil of blessed prayer by the bedside of pering and sobbing.” | ~~ ee Rite cas wee GDoo <S