The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 169: what you’re looking at

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154 desired effect: for as he gave no card, and walked in. with so little ceremony, it was natural to suppose that he knew perfectly well what he was doing and was certain of being well received. The footman accordingly conducted him up the spacious staircase ; and on reaching the landing, he said in the ussal manner, “ What name, sir, shall I announce ?” “Mr. Gunthorpe,” was the reply. “Mr. Gunthorpe!” vociferated the footman, as he threw open the door leading into the drawing- room where Lady Saxondale was seated. Here we must interrupt the narrative for a moment to state that Juliana and Constance, being on the watch in the dining-room, had witnessed the arrival of the stout gentleman—had heard the imperious manner in which he addressed the footman—and had peeped forth to survey lim with more atten- tion than they had been enabled to bestow at the glimpse they caught of him from the window when ascending the front-door step. “T do declare,” whispered Juliana, “ that he ex- uctly answers the description given of that Mr. Gun- thorpe whom Edmund described to us so ludicrously ! ‘The same scratch wig—the same overhanging chin —-the same curious-fashioned garments ca “Yes: but what can he want with mamma?” ssked Constance. “Let us see,’ responded Juliana. ‘1 have a presentiment that his visit 1s in some way or another connected with Mr. Deveril.” The two young ladies quitted the dining-room— ascended the staircase—-and stealing into an apart- ment adjoining that where Mr. Gunthorpe had just been introduced to Lady Saxondale’s presence, they placed themselves at the door of communication between the two rooms. The door was shut: but it was easy to overhear in one apartment what was taking place in the other; and so the two Miss Fare- fields were enabled to gratify their curiosity to the utmost extent. Let us now look on the other side of the door at which Juliana and Constance are listening. Lady Saxondale, on hearing the name of Mr. Gunthorpe announced, recognized it at once as that of an individual whom she had overheard her son Edmund hold up to ridicule one day when he was in a lively and bantering mood; and certainly the appearance of this gentleman was suflicient to con- firm in her ladyship’s mind whatsoever amount of ludicrous impression her son’s discourse concerning him had previously made. Not for an instant did it strike Lady Saxondale that he came about William Deveril’s business; and feeling offended at the un- eeremonious way in which he had caused himself to be announced, she received him with the most freezing coldness. Mr. Gunthorpe was however the last person on the face of the earth to be discomfited by such a reception ; and coolly taking a seat, though altogether unasked, he observed, “I dare say your ladyship is much surprised at this visit on the part of one who has obtained no formal introduction ?” “T presume, sir,” returned Lady Saxondale, with an ice-like dignity, “that having some trifling know- ledge of my son you have called to see him? But he is not at home at the present time——” “JT beg your ladyship to understand,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, “that I should not take so unwarrant- able a liberty as to presume upon my slight—very “ Le ree THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. intrude myself upon the privacy of his mother. But my object is to have some serious conversation with your ladyship on behalf of a young gentleman in whom I am somewhat interested—I mean Mr, Deveril.” So unexpectedly was this announcement made and therefore so totally unprepared was Lady Saxon- dale to preserve her presence of mind when that name appeared to be thrown at her like an accusa- tion, that she gave a sudden start and looked con- fused. But the loss of fortitude could only be imv- mentary with a woman of her strong mind; and theref.s:9 immediately recovering herself, she said, coldly auc distantly as before, “ Out of respect for your yeurs, sir, I will hsten to what you may have to say: but 1 cannot promise you to pardon the youny man on whose behalf you are come.” “Pardon, my lady!” exclaimed Mr. Gunthorpe with sume little show of indignation. “It is not pardon that he seeks—it is justice. Pardon is to be sought by those who injure—not by those whu are injured,” “The only interpretation I can put upon your words, sir,” rejoined Lady Saxondale, with a voice and look of consummate assurance, “is to suppose that Mr. Deveril has given you some false version of his conduct towards me——” “Or of your ladyship’s conduct towards him f But no!” exclaimed Mr. Gunthorpe: “ he is inca pable of speaking falsely.” “And I, sir,” cried Lady Saxondale, her cheeks suffusing with a crimson glow and her eyes flashing fire,— do you dare insinuate that I am capable ot speaking falsely ?” “ Madam,” returned Mr. Gunthorpe, “it is always an unpleasant business to have to make ac- cusations at all; but the task becomes doubly dis- ~ agreeable when the accuser is one of the stronger - sex, and the accused is one of the weaker. Such is the present case.” “ Mr. Gunthorpe,” said Lady Saxondale, rising from her seat upon the sofa, “ this interview can- not proceed farther.” “Madam,” answered the old gentleman, “ I am not a man to be diverted from my course by any overbearing conduct. Iam not one of those who aire dazzled by the false lustre of patrician rank. I know very well that meteors blaze at a distance, but when they fall down upon the earth they prove to be merely vile stones. So it is with the false gods and goddesses of the British aristocracy; and thére- fore J neither worship such idols nor ean be intimi- dated by them.”’ “ Mr. Gunthorpe, if you have come hither on pur- pose to insult me,” said Lady Saxondale, resuming her seat upen the sofa, “I must submit: for it would grieve me much to be compelled to order my lacqueys to eject a gentleman of your respectable appearance and advanced years.” ““T am confident that you do not even entertain the thought of such a thing, Lady Saxondale, as daring to bid a lacquey lay a hand apon me:”— and as Mr. Gunthorpe thus spoke, he looked he: ladyship firmly and resolutely in the face, till, conscience-stricken, her own gaze cowered beneath his own. “ Now, will you permit me without inter- ruption to tell you a little aneedote, the object and purpose of which I will explain to you at the end slight acquaintance with Lord Saxondale so far as to | It is this:—A lady of proud title, a widow, who has —SeaaSiD pean ee ee ee ee ee Gomicdoo (C CS (E)