The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

‘tenance to assume; _ didn’t she, placed-on the table near the bed, just as if its con- tents had been duly imbibed by her whose name appeared on the label. Breakfast was speedily brought up; and ‘Lady Bess did most ample justice to it. By the time she had finished her meal and the things were cleared away, it was eight o'clock; and in order to render the stratagem in resp:ct to. the surgeon as complete as possible, old MarSfall stepped down the street to fetch him. In a few minutes Mr. Hood was duly escorted by Mrs. Marshall into the pretended invalid’s cham- ber. ‘I'he surgeon was a middle-aged man, of rather a benevolent countenance, and of pleasing address. He had been long established in Dover and was much respected. If he had a fault, it was in a certain sneaking affection which he cherished for money ; and therefore when he ob- served a well-filled purse lying upon the table close by his empty bottle, he could not help feel- ing pleased at having a patient evidently so well able to remunerate him for his services. Lady Bess put on the most lugubrious look it was possible for her handsome and healthy coun- and if-the doctor had only seen her playing so fine a part with the breakfast a quarter of an hour previous, he would assuredly have fancied that a lady possessed of such an ap- petite must be endowed with an iron constitution. “ Well, how are we this morning?” he asked, in his blandest.tones, as he took Lady Bess’s hand. * Pulse somewhat feverish—eh*”’ Lady Bess thought that Mr. Hood’s pulse woulda be very likely to beat quickly if he had ridden nearly eighty miles in five hours and a | half: but though she experienced an almost irre- sistible inclination to burst out into the merriest laugh, she nevertheless so far controlled herself as to subdue that desire and modulate her voice into faint and languid tones, as she said, “ I feel: some- what better now, doctor. But I was very, very illin the night; and I feared that the fit - was coming on just now again when the landlord went to fetch you.” “Ah! you must have another draught,” Bai Mr. Hood. ‘No appetite, I suppose?” “Not in tne least,” answered Lady Bess; Bia she thought it would be very odd if she had after the quantities of cold fowl, ham, and bnut- tered toast she had partaken of within tle. past haJf-hour. “Well, you must have a little gruel presently, with a piece of dry toast,” said Mr. Hood. ‘‘T am convinced I never should be able to take it.” rejoined Lady Bess; amd Kate Marshall turned away to the window in order to prevent herself from bursting out into a laugh in the ’ @octor’s face. “Oh! you must take some sustenance,” ex- claimed Mr. Hood; “* but of alight character, for you are still feverish. When. did this indisposi- tion commence ?” “The lady arrived here last evening about seven o’clock,’’ Mrs. Marshall hastened to observe ; “and she complained very soon afterwards— K ate 2?” ‘* Yes, mother,” eldest daughter. “ And then it was a little after three in the morning, I suppose, that you got so bad, ma'am ?”’ said the doctor, addressing his patient; “for I was the response given by the THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. eC CS Se -—™”™ ———————— eee learn from my assistant that it was about that time he was rung up.” ‘*‘T really took no note of the nour,” answered Lady Bess; ‘‘ but I know that I had been suffer- ing ever since I went to bed, before the fit seized . upon me.” Mr. Hood remained a few minutes longer with his patient, asking her certain requisite questious —or we should rather say, certain questions which he considered requisite ; and then he touk his leave, promising to send another draught in the course of the forenoon, and desiring that le might be fetched if any change should take place in her condition. When the doctor had fairly quitted the room, Lady Bess ave vent to her long pent-up mirth in peals of the most joyous laughter, wherein she was joined by Kate, who remained with her, Mrs. Marshall having left the room with the doc- tor tu escort him down stairs. “ Aud how do you really feel ?” inquired Kate, when the paroxysm of that convulsive merriment was over. ‘‘T feel somewhat tired and stiff,” responded Lady Bess, wiping away the tears which had rolled down her cheeks in the excess of her mirth: “but in all other respects I never was better, and certainly never happier. J am not one, my dear Kate, who after an extraordinary exhilaration of the spirits, receives a reaction leading into a proportionate despondency. Iam pretty nearly always the same—sometimes more elated perhaps—but very seldom, if evér de- pressed. And now let me give you the history oi that pleasant little adventure of mine which has compelled me to perform this feat.” The amazon thereupon recounted the incidents of the previous night, which are already known to the reader; and Kate laughed heartily at her friend’s ludicrous description of the discomfiture which the two lawyers had experienced. “ Now I do not think they are positively vin- dictive,” added Lady Bess; “ but they are keen, sharp fellows, and have got it into their heads that, being lawyers, they must vindicate what is called the majesty of the law. So, it is highly probable that they will have instituted a hue and ery, er else achase after me. Perhaps, even, they may make their appearance in Dover presently, in the idea that I shall endeavour to escape into France. Well, let them come: I most cordially hope they will—for it is better to have the thing examined into down here and have done with it, tham have to wait till I return to London and then send for all youas witnesses, But what time is the first train down?” ‘t About eleven o’clock for the French mails,” replied Kate. “And it is now about half-past eight,” said Lady Bess, referring to her watch which lay upon the table by tlie bedside. ‘‘ Well, I can at least reckon upon two or three hours’ good sleep.” “For which purpose I will therefore leave you,” said Kate; but as she was about to open the door, she turned round, and with an arch smile upon her very good-looking countenance, said, “ Shall I bring you up the gruel and toast at eleven ?” “ Rather say a good luncheon, my dear friend,” responded Lady Bess, with another merry laugh: and then as Kate Marshall closed the door, the ECORNICLOO S (CO)