The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 77: what you’re looking at

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60 “Only what? You have got something at the very tip of your tongue and do not like to say it.” “ Well, my lord, I am speaking to a stranger,” returned the young woman, somewhat more seriously than before: ‘‘and of course I do not like to gossip about my mistress’s affairs to every- body.” ‘“ Your mistress belongs to the Opera ?” observed saxondale. “ Ah! then you know something about her ?” at once exclaimed the soubrette. ‘* And now I re- member your lordship did say something about entertaining certain viewsand requiring my assist- ance. Was that said for fun or in earnest ?” “ (Juite in earnest,” answered Saxondale ; ‘‘ and it was for that purpose I promised you a reward. Indeed, if I had not been robbed a “Robbed! I thought you had lost your money at cards ?” “To be sure! I said so. But cannot a person be robbed at cards as well as on the highway ?” Certainly. However, I have your lordship’s promise for a proof of your kindness ; and as I con- sider your word to be your bond, Lam just as ready to listen to what your lordship has to say as if I had the gift in my pocket.” “Pron something that has escaped my lips,” resumed Edmund, ‘t you have seen that I know a little about your mistress. I have seen her at the Opera — and to see is to admire. But there is still aivother step which is to be explained by stating that toadmire is to burn to possess. Now, in plain terms, is there anything to hope ?” ‘* Tt all depends, my lord,” replied the sowbrette. “ Depends upon what ?” inquired Saxondale. “ Terms—offers—settlements—and so forth,” was the answer. “Then, is your mistress mercenary ?” “ Not exactly mercenary—but she loves money, just as a great many other ladies do, as a means of procuring pleasure, to live in good style, keep her carriage and servants, and so forth —all of which she could not do with her salary at the Opera.” ‘And yet she is handsomely paid, according to report,” remarked Hdmund. “ Not so well as people think, perhaps,” re- joined the soubrette. ‘‘ But you asked me if there were any hope? It is for you to get acquainted with my mistress, and see what she says. You do not seem too bashful, my lord, in waking known your wishes; and certainly she will not be too bashful in giving you an answer. Of course I shall say everything I can in your favour; and you know that a lady’s-maid in these cases possesses great influence with her mis- tress.” ‘Undoubtedly. You me her lady’s-maid, then ? J thought so the very first moment I saw you, One can always tell a lady’s-maid y ‘‘ Yes—we have a certain air,” remarked the young woman, tossing her head conceitedly. But why, my lord, do you not come and call to- morrow? orelse write a very tender and affec- tionate billet ?” “’ Good heavens!” exclaimed Saxondale ; “is it possible that yourmistress would either receive me as a visitor without any introduction, or take no- tice of any letter I might send her ?” ‘Well, considering that you are a lord,” re- sponded the soubrette slyly, and with a sort of wysterious confidence, ‘I think it very probable TILE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. my mistress might dispense with the usual formali- ties. Indeed, if she were to come home alone pre- sently, lam not quite sure but that you might be pardoned for your boldness in introducing yourself to her at once.” ‘Ts this possible 7” exclaimed Edmund, now so elated that he forgot all the previous misadven- tures of the night. ‘‘It is so possible,” was the response, “ that I should advise you to make the attempt. Or if you are too bashful, you can just walk a little way up the road and leave me to say a few words to my mistress. Then, if | were to come down to the gate and ask you to walkin and take supper with her— for she always has supper when she comes home, aud it is now ready served in the drawing- room——"” “Tf you are not trifling with me,” exclaimed Edmund, ‘ aud if you could really manage what you have just proposed, it should not be merely twenty guineas that I would put into your hand to-morrow, but fifty.” ‘Well, my lord,” answered the soubrette, “it all depends upon whethera certain person comes home presently with my mistress. And that, to tell you the truth, was what I alluded to just now when you told me I had something at the tip of my tongue that I did not like to speak out.” ‘But who is this certain person?” inquired Saxondale. ‘““Mr. Walter, at the Opera.” “What, one of the great authorities of the esta- blishment ?” ejaculated Saxondale. “Oh! I know him tolerably well. I have frequently spoken to him behind the scenes—a stout, elderly gentle- man——” ‘The same,” responded the soubrette. “He’sa nice enough manin his way, but very particular indeed ; and that was why I was fearful that if he did come home presently with my mistress, he would be angry on finding me talking to any one at the gate. Oh! he is so particular,” repeated the abigail, “and treats my mistress just as if she were his wife—hands her in and out of her car- riage with the greatest respect . ‘* But what, then, has he to do with your mis- tress *” demanded Saxondale. “Is he related to her ?” ‘Oh! my lord, how stupid youare! Can’t you cuess ?”—then with anotherslylook, and oncemore in a mysterious tone of confidence, the soubrette added, ‘‘ He is justas much related to her as your lordship wishes to be.” “ Do you mean to tell me she is living under his protection ?” demanded Edmund in astonishment, The soubrette nodded her head affirmatively. ‘Oh, the sly puss !” ejaculated Saxondale : ‘‘and rumour speaks so highly of her virtue! Well, after all, I was right,” he observed, musing audibly, “in what Isaid to my friend Staunton, when I declared that I had no great opinion of the virtue of any female upon the stage. But still I did think that she was virtuous as yet—although I fancied that her virtue was not an impregnable citadel. And you tell me,” he continued, again addressing him- self to the soubretée, ‘that your mistress is living under the protection of this Mr. Walter?” > “ “Yes. Is there anything astonishing in it ?” “Oh, nothing at all! Butis she much attached to him ?” | ~ WAR CONIC DOOKS (E(0)