The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 351: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

836 ‘ THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. "It may be so: but one of course does not know everybody who frequeuts places of public amuse- ment.” “Our conversation is likely to be a long one,” said Emily; “and as I am fatigued with travelling by railway and by post-chaise, you will permit me to be seated :”—saying which, she deposited herself in a free and easy manner upon a sofa, and un- fastened the ribbons of her bonnet to give herself air —for the evening was close ard sultry. “ Now perhaps,” observed Lady Saxondale, like- wise taking a seat, but with a cold, distant, formal air, as if to rebuke the familiarity which her visi- “tress seemed inclined to display,—“‘now perhaps, you will have the goodness to inform me for what purpose you have sought this interview.” “Does your ladyship really mean me to un- derstand,” exclained Emily, “that my name is unknown to your Well, of that no matter. I will speedily explain who I am. At the Italian Opera [ am Mademoiselle D’Alembert—where I condescend to dance, apparently for the diversion of such as your ladyship who lounge in the boxes, but in reality because it suits my whim and gratifies my pride. But at my own house, Evergreen Villa— where I live in excellent style—my name is Miss Archer; and it is as Miss Archer that I now intro- duce myself to your ladyship. I may add that your son Lord Saxondale bas recently been a very inti- mate friend of mine—until last nisht, when [ picked a quarrel with him for the express purpose of caus- ing a lasting breach between us. A certain Lord Harold Staunton,” pursued Emily, with a significant and half-malicious smile, “ who L believe is well known to your ladyship, can explain these particu- lars the next time you see him.” The danseuse delivered herself of this speech in a sort of halt-flippant, half-familiar manner, which atirred the proud soul of Lady Saxondale to its nethermost depths; and she looked coldly stern and supremely haughty as she bent her gaze upon Miss Archer. Lady Saxondale bither lip with a vexation which she could not possibly control. She had endea- voured to overawe the danseuse—to brow-beat her —to reduce her, in short, to that state of sub- mission in which it would be comparatively easy to dictate her own terms, instead of having terms dic- tated to herself. But in this aim she was frus- trated by the cool self-possession—we might almost say the impudent effrontery, of Madempiselle D’Alembert> and therefore her ladyship perceived it to be necessary to go upon quite another tack. “ Will you, in a few words,” she said, “tell me precisely what you demand? There need be no farther explanation between us in the form of pre- face or prelude. I am well aware —indeed I do not attempt to deny, that there is some foolish and absurd scandal existing against me in certain quarters; and unfortunately my own son has, in his natural thoughtlessness, given encouragement tu it. It were easy for me to ridicule the seandal and scorn the scandalmongers; but the world is so wicked, that it is not always prudent tu make light of such matters; and therefore, if your stipa- lations be at all reasonable, I do not know that L shall refuse to aceede to them.” “T require ten thousand pounds,” replied Emily Archer; ‘on which condition I will give up a certain dress that I have in my possession.” ‘Your terms are exceedingly hizh, Miss Archer,” responded Lady Saxondale: “although, as a matter of course, the sum you have named is but a trifling one to me.” “Oh! in that case,” exclaimed the danseuse, “I cannot consent to bate one farthing; and indeed your ladyship ought to be very much obliged to me for not doubling the amount of my demand.” ‘Were you to hint at such a thing,”’ rejoined her ladyship, ‘‘I would close the negotiation at once. But so far as ten thousand pounds go, I will offer no objection. You have the dress with you, you say.”’ ‘“It is in the post-chaise which has brought : : wes » .o73 | me hither from Lincoln. My maid, who accom- ‘You have introduced yourself, if is true,” said panied me, has it in charge.” her ladyship : “but the object of your visit is as yet | * «yon must be well aware, Miss Archer,” unexplained.” resumed Lady Saxondale, “that I have not so “Tt is really difficult for me to believe that your | large a sum as ten thongand pounds in the ladyship has no suspicion of the object of my visit,” | castle at this moment.” resumed Emily: “but if it be so, explanations are| “Your ladyship’s cheque upon your London easily given. In short, your ladyship has only to leipage ea eg answer the purpose,” observed reflect whether there be anything at all peculiar in ee . ; respect to yourself and Lord Harold Staunton, in That I cannot give. ; My bankers would tq : » | Surprised at my drawing so large a draught in order to arrive at a complete idea of my purpose. favour of a young lady engaged at the Opera. “ You are speaking in a manner which is almost | It would be immediately believed that I was sufficient to induce me to order you from my pre- | encouraging my son in a certain course to which gence.” I will farther allude. eee re pro- “ No—your ladyship will do nothing of the kind,” | Cure the money in notes and gold rom my was Emily Archer’s cool response. “I can read the banker at Gainsborough ; and therefore,’’ con- human countenance well enough; and at this mo- tinued her ladyship, “if you do not mind wait- ; ~ |ing in Lincolnshire until to-morrow even- ment while I am addressing you, there is a certain | jy¢——» trouble in your’s—though I must confess that it “Oh! Ihave not the slightest objection,” ex- would escape the notice of any one who was nota| claimed Emily. ‘It will suit me well. will very close observer. Now, in plain terms,” con-!return_at once to Lincoln. Name your own tinued Miss Archer, “I am confident that you do hour, Lady Saxondale, when I can meet you know that Lord Harold Staunton called upon me | bere to-morrow. to me. He offered me monies which could not} spect to this second interview which must take have possibly been his own, and which you must! place.” have therefore placed in his hands—or at least pro- ‘‘Stipulate your own conditions : they shall mised to furnish for a particular purpose.” be attended to,” als tC LL A me ESSSSSSSSSSSeeSeseE EEE CORNIELOOOkKS (E()