The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 198: what you’re looking at

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fHR MYSTERIES. quite made me whimper myself to see such good people blackguarding their own selves in such a outrageous fashion; and thinkin’ that the sooner they got into better sperrets the more they’d be pleased, I draw’d the corks and poured out the wine. But when I handed it to the fust lady, she groaned awful, shaked her head, and exclaimed, ‘ J ain't worthy of it !—-Then I went to tother lady ; and she groaned more awfaller still, and said the same thing. But Mr. Sneaksby says, says he, ‘ Yes, my Christian sisters; you may take tt for your stomach’s sake, as Timothy did.’—And so | suppose the poor dear ladies was troubled with the colic; and they drank off the wine without no more hesitation. I then left ’em; and they re- turned to their dewotions——” “ How do you know that, Mrs. Piggleberry ?” in- quired Meaglen. “ Why, sir,” answered the widow, blushing and growing embarrassed ; “to tell the truth I listened at the door for a little bit—for I was afeard the ladies would do themselves a mischief through beatin’ their buzzims so uomerciful.” - “And did they exchange any more hisses of peace *” asked Lady Letitia, perfectly enjoying Mrs. Pigyleberry’s description. “ Yes—a many, sir,” responded the good woman, ingenuously. “The ladies remained with Mr. Sneaksby for an hour; and then they went away in their carriage. But they was so overcome with their feelin’s that they could scarcely walk straight —and they was evidently stagyerin’ under the weight of wery painful emotions.” “Did they finish the two bottles of wine 2?” de- manded Meagles, exchanging a sly look with the Amazon. “Oh! yes, sir—every drop,” answered Mrs. Pig- “ Ah! then we can pretty well guess what sort of emotions they were staggering under,” observed Meagies, drily. The landlady affected not to catch this remark: for it was a principle—or rather a prudential re- servation—with her, never to observe or seem to hear anything that tended to the disparagement of those lodgers who paid her well and allowed her free access to their cupboards and trunks. “Now, thea, my good woman,” said Meagles, *you can goand settle that little business between Mr. Brogden and my young scamp of a page, Wasp.” “ Thank’ee kindly, sir, for the trouble you've taken in the little trifling matter,” returned Mrs. Pigyleberry, who had not, however, much to be gratefal for—seeing that Mr. Meagles had not even stirred from his seat to procure the restoration of Mr. Brogden’s peruque. The landlady curteeyed and left the room ; and the moment the door closed behind her, Tim Mea- > | gles and Lady Letitia Lade burst each into a vio- lent fit of laughter. “ Well, upon my honour,” exclaimed the former, as soon as his mirth had so far subsided as to allow him to give utterance to his thoughts, “ this is the finest fun I ever heard in all my life. The new lodger is evidently some sanctified scoundrel whom amorous old dowagers run after. We must in- vite him to pass an evening with us, my beauty.” “ Capital !° cried the Amazon, who had laughed Gil the tears ran down her flushed cheeks, where sermon, cement 2 a 181 they resembled pearls upon rose-leaves. “But I must leave you now, Tim,” she added, after a brief pause. “Sir John made me promise that I would return to sup with him; and as he so generously gave me the money we required to buy up the Marquis de Bellois’ papers and the half of the document from Mr. Page, I must humour him a trifle.” “Very good,” observed Meagles. “I suppose it is little the old fellow requires of you besides your company occasionally ?” “You naughty, good-for-nothing fellow, Tim! exclaimed the beautiful huntress, bestowing upon his cheek a slight smack, rather resembling a caress, with her pretty hand. “I shall not answer such questions, sir. Good night.” “Good night, my beauty,” responded Meagles, pressing his lips tothe Amazon’s moist mouth. “ You will come and see me to-morrow; and perhaps I shall have some funny things to tell you with regard to the new lodger.” “Oh! we must amuse ourselves at his expense,” exclaimed the huntress ;—and having drawn on her gloves, fixed the becuming hat upon her head, and taken up her riding-whip, she quitted the house. Not many minutes had elapsed after her depar- ture, when the mischievous page, whom Mrs. Piggle~- berry denominated Master Wasp, entered the room bearing a letter which had just arrived. We have already described this precocious youth as being slim—genteel—and good-looking: we may pow add that his countenance was intellectual and pleasing—his eyes large, black, and sparkling—and his teeth excellent. But there was a little lurking devil of good-tempered mischief in the expression of those eyes; and, notwithstanding the demure aspect which he put on in the presence of his master, it was easy to perceive that he was naturally full of fun and frolic. In her heart Mrs. Piggleberry de- tested him: she was however too good a judge to ofiend an individual who might prejudice Mr. Mea- gies against her, and who was moreover well ac- quainted with the little pilferings which she practised in reference to that gentleman’s larder. “Well, you young rascal,” exclaimed Meagles, in a tone which he vainly endeavoured to render se- vere; “what the deuce have you been doing with Mr. Brogden’s wig?” “ Me, sir!” ejaculated the page, aflecting the most startled amazement. “I can assure you, sir, that Mr. Brogden has got his wig on his head at this very moment.” ‘“ Yes—because you have given it back to him,” replied Meagles. “Come—let us have no more of this nonsense in future, Wasp—or elee Mrs, Piggle- berry will give me notice to quit.” “ Not she, indeed, sir!” criedtheboy. “Why, you are house-rent, washing, taxes, breakfast, dinner, and supper to her—aye, and clothes to all her poor relations into the bargain. She won’t get rid of you, sir, in a hurry.” “* Well, well—I dare say it is so,” murmured Mea- gles, hastily. “Come—give me that letter; and tell Mrs. Piggleberry to get me a broiled fowl for my supper.” “ Yes, sir,” answered Wasp;—and away he went to execute the order he had just received. “Who the deuce can this be from?” exclaimed Meugles aloud, as he turned the letter over and over. “ Black-edged paper—a beautiful female harld—a QOLAAL A ayey0) S COMM