The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 241: what you’re looking at

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LI LT ITE IID, 224 THE MYSTERIES. bantering %” cried the Prince, bewildered and en- raged to a degree that amounted to positive anguish. “You don’t appear to have anything to say for yourself,” returned the villain, in a jeering tone: “ and therefore I must speak for you. It wouldn’t be genteel on my part to treat your Royal Highness with contemptuous silence.” “ Again I demand—what are you doing in this house?’’ exclaimed the Prince, heedless of tbe fel- low’s observations. “ And on my side I ask—what were you doing in that sneaking way in the passage?” retorted the Magsman. “But come,—let us be candid with each other. You are the Prince of all the rakes and demireps at the Weat End—and I’m the Prince of all the buzgloaks, prigs, cracksmen, and flash coves elsewhere. So we meet on equal ground, you see Well, then—let’s have no nonsense between us. I’m hereto rob the house—and you were going to creep along the passage to some ex fair one’s bed- chamber: as likely as not the lady of the mansion herself—for you're quite capable of it.” “ My God! what shall I do with this wretch?” exclaimed the Prince, in a tone of despair. “ Villain,” he immediately afterwards exclaimed,—*“ you have escaped from Newgate— and one word will alarm the house and send you back to your old quarters.” “ Quite true, Prince of Profligates,” responded the Magsman: “but that one word you don’t dare to utter.” “ What do you require?—what can I do to per- suade you to depart forthwith ?” demanded the heir- apparent, goaded to desperation by the idea that the charming Eleanor was expecting bim: for he little thought that she was so near at hand, and listening in horrified amagement and speechless indignation to every word that thus passed between himself and the Magsman. . “ What do I require ?—what can you do to per- suade me ta depart?” repeated the ruffian. “Why — I'll tell you in avery few words. I’ve two pals with nt who're waiting very quietly down in the 1 front kitchen till I go back to them after this little reeonnoitre that I was taking of the house when I ran against you. Make it worth our while to bundle off at,once—and I can assure you, we shall be much better satisfied to finger some hard cash than run a risk of being seen going out with a parcel containing plate and such like little matters.” “Then you have two companions with you !” said the Prince, exerting all his moral powers to master the rage, vexation, and bitter annoyance which this scene caused him to experience. “Yes—and they'll agree to any bargain I make with you,” replied the Magsman, who saw all along that he had the game in his own hands. “ Now, listen—one word will settle this affair,” re- sumed his Roya) Highness, in feverish haste. “ Five hundred guineas shall be sent to you to-morrow at any place you choose to appoint-——”’ “That will do,” interrupted the Mageman. “I! the know I can rely on your word—because you don't dare break it with me One of my friends down stairs will cal] at Carlton House to-morrow at mid- day, and ask if there’s any letter for Mr. Smith. He's a genteel chap—Dick the Tramper—and he'll dress up ewell for the occasion.” “Let that be the understanding,” said the Prince. * And now you will undertake to depart ——” “Yes—me and my two pals. I won't waste time by introducing them to you—although they’d be charmed to make your acquaintance. But we'll be ofi—and what’s more, the people of the house shan’t suspect to-morrow morning that the place has been entered during the night. It was fortunate that the kitchen window was left unfastened—and so there was no cutting out of panes of glass, or any need to use the jemmy. Good bye, illustrious Prince: and now you may be off to Lady Desborough’s bed, if it was her chamber that you was going to.” With this coarse peroration, the volubility of which his Royal Highness did not dare interrupt, for fear of offending the Magsman and producing that dis- turbance in the house which he had been so anxious to avoid,—the formidable ruffian stole gently out of the apartment: but the slight creaking which the door made on being opened, drowned the noise of another door which closed at the same moment at the end of the passage. His Royal Highness drank a deep draught of water to cool his parched throat, the instant that he found himself alone. He then sank into an arm- chair near the fire that was now smouldering in the grate, and endeavoured to compose his countenance and eettle his thoughts. By degrees he began to congratulate himself on having avoided a disturbance and exposure in the mansion—notwithstanding that this result had been accomp!ished at the expense of so much humilia- tion and by the endurance of such cutting insolence ; —and, having succeeded in tranquillising his mind, he resolved to proceed to the chamber of the Coun- tess. Cautiously did he emerge a second time from his apartment—stealthily did he tread along the passage —and in a few moments he reached the door of the room where he hoped to reap a rich reward for the annoyances he had so recently experienced. But that door was fastened. He knocked gently : there was no response. He knocked again: atill all was silent. He listened: no one moved within. Could he have mistaken thechamber? Impossible! for it was the last in the passage, on the left hand. A third time he knocked: and now a light step was heard approaching that door. It was about to be opened !—he was already standing on the threshold of paradise! The blood boiled in his veins with the excitement of passion deeply stirred: his heart pal- pitated violently. Glorious recollections of all the transcendent charms of the Countess swept through his memory in a moment. She was coming—and he was about to be happy! “Who is it?” demanded her soft and silvery voice— but, as the Prince fancied, somewhat abruptly. “Tis J, wy angel—your adorerf” he whispered. “Then I command your Royal Highness to retire to your own chamber,” was the stern and imperious response. And he heard her retreat with a rapid step from door. For a few instants he stood stupified—amazed— astounded: then all the indignation of his haughty soul and all the pride of his princely rank assert- ing their empire, he turned away—disdaining to implore a syllable of explanation. At ap early hour he rose from a sleepless couch, and immediately ordered his carriage. A few mi- nutes afterwards the Earl of Desborough made his appearance, and begged his Royal Highness to re. COMNGBOOKS COMM