The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 204: what you’re looking at

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a a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 189 | —his naturally red face being quite purple with | up and endeavour to take each other’s life, for some excitement, while the perspiration rolled in large | trumpery cause or another ?”’ drops down it; and his brown scratch wig had got | ‘“ Permit me to ask,” interrupted Mr. Forester. turned all awry under his broad-brimmed hat. He | “ whether you are acquainted with the motives brandished his gold-headed cane as if it were a con- | and causes which have led to the present meet- stable’s staff, and rolled along on his little fat legs ing?” towards the spot where the duellists and their se- | “No—I am not,” at once rejoined Mr. Gun- conds stood. | thorpe ; “and what is more, I do not want to know “Who the deuce is this?” exclaimed Captain them. It is sufficient for me that by an aecident I Lennox, twirling his moustache. “I suppose it’s ascertained what was going to take place; and so 1 some justice of the peace “ | hastened off to prevent it.” “ No, sir,” interrupted Mr. Gunthorpe, who had! “JI will tell you what we must do,” exclaimed just arrived near enough to catch the remark. “I Captain Lennox: “we must tie the old fellow to do not come in a magisterial capacity ——” yon gate, or else to a tree.” “T should think not indeed!” observed Lord Ha-| ‘ Yes—that’s the way to dispose of him,” said rold econtemptuously. “ Magistrates and county- | Lord Harold, who for the last two or three minutes justices don’t usually take up their quarters at a had not been mingling in the conversation. boiled-beef house on Holborn Hill.” | “No,” said Deveril, now advancing towards the “This affair can proceed no farther,” said Mr. group in the middle of the ground: “I will permit Gunthorpe, bestowing not the slightest heed upon no indignity to be offered to Mr. Gunthorpe. At Lord Harold Staunton’s insolent observation: but the same time I must earnestly represent to Mr. placing himself midway between the two duellists’ Gunthorpe himself, that he will sce the impropriety he said, “I did not choose to involve you all in ex- of persevering in his attempt to stop this pro- posure by bringing the police authoritics with me: ceeding.” but I am nevertheless determined to put a stop to “What! such words as these from your lips, this business. So if you mean to fire, gentlemen, | William Deveril?” said the old gentleman reproach- I must become your target.” fully. William Deveril had started with astonishment | “ My dear sir,” responded the young artist, “I on seeing Mr. Gunthorpe; and Forester, observing have admitted to Mr. Foreste: that I am acquainted the effect thus produced by that gentleman's pre- , with you—and your presence here may tlierefore sence, hastily inquired of Deveril if he knew who be construed in a light prejudicial to*my cha- he was? racter.” “Yes—I do indeed know who he is; and have| “Oh! they will say that you were afraid to fight, every reason to do so,” responded the young artist. | and that you got a friend to stop the duel—will “ He is one to whom I am under many obligations. | they?” exclaimed Mr. Gunthorpe. “ Well then, But it is most provoking that he should have found | I pledge my honourfthat such is not the case. In- us out !” deed, it was quite in another way I learnt what was “Oh! he must not be allowed to interfere in this ' going on Z way, added Forester. “I will sce what Lennox |“ We are not bound to believe you, sir,” remarked says.” Captain Lennox stiffly; ‘and therefere, as Mr He and the Captain thereupon accosted Mr. Gun- | Deveril has observed, you will only prejudice his thorpe, and asked him by what right he strove to | honour by persisting in your interruption.” pul a stop to this affair of honour ? “‘ Nevertheless, I do persist,” said Mr. Gunthorpe “An affair of honour do you call it!” exclaimed resolutely. the old gentleman indignantly and scornfully. “Ij ‘Then, sir, we must remove you by force,” at pronounce it to be an affair of dishonour——” once rejoined the Captain: and witha sudden move- “ Beware, sir, what you say!” interrupted Cap- ment he wrenched the gold-headed cane out of Mr. tain Lennox fiercely: “for with that remark you. Gunthorpe’s hands. impeach the characters of all concerned—and if you} He and Forester together, then dragged the old dare repeat your insolence, I shall be compelled to ' gentleman off towards the gate, which they managed pull your nose for you.” to do despite his struggles and resistance. “Tt is a great pity, sir,” rejoined Mr. Gunthorpe, | “ “ Deveril—William Deveril!” exclaimed Mr. Gun- “that the people should have to pay taxes to main- | thorpe, in accents of mingled anzer and reproach: tain a set ofanilitary bullies of whom you are avery ‘“‘is it possible that you stand idly by and see this fair specimen.” indignity committed ? What, sir! you do not move ? “ By Jove, this is too much!” ejaculated Captain |—I am ashamed of you!—I am astonished at you! Lennox. “I must chastise you, sir.” | After all But I will have nothing more to do “And I will knock you down with my cane, if with you. Lord Harold, you too shall smart for you dare touch me,” at once retorted Mr. Gunthorpe, permitting this! Will you not helpme? Oh! you holding his stick in a manner which showed that he refuse, do you? Well, mind what you are abyut! was serious. | You will repent it, I say—you will repent it! “ Don’t hurt the old gentleman,” said Mr. Forester, Deveril, you declared you would not see me ill- seizing the arm of Captain Lennox who was about treated—and yet you—you ( to commit a prompt onslaught on Mr. Gunthorpe. While thus giving vent to broken ejaculations, “ Let us endeavour to reason with him.” poor Mr. Gunthorpe, breathless and exhausted with “You will not reason me into giving my consent his eries and his struggles, was hurried up to the to this duel,” observed the object of the remark. gate; and there Captain Lennox and Mr. Forester “And so you call it an affair of honour, de you? bound him securely to the rails with their handker- What! is it honourable for two young men to stand chiefs. Lord Harold laughed contemptuously at — COnmicoookKkSs.c®