The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 233: what you’re looking at

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

THE FAMILY VAULT 203 { have gleaned some very curious particulars concerning the deceased members of the Bellenden family, and which par- ticulars are most important to my interests in the suit that I am carrying on against the marchioness.’ I thereupon - begged his lordship not to make me his confidant, as I was bound by gratitude to support the cause and defend the in- terests of the noble lady who gave me the presentation of the Bellenden rectory. ‘Iam aware of your devotion in that quarter, Mr. Roberts,’ said Earl Montgomery, ‘ and so far from being angry with you, I honour you for it. Indeed, I have called upon you from motives of respect and courtesy, and to inform you that in consequence of the curious partic- ulars I have this day gleaned from some of the patriarchs of the village, I shall cause the vault of the Bellenden family to be examined and the register of deaths to be searched.’ Upon hearing these announcements, I respectfully but firmly ex- plained to his lordship that he was welcome to consult the registers, but that he could not be permitted to break open the family vault of the house of Bellenden, without a proper authority or permission. ‘ Well, you are quite right to act cautiously, Mr. Roberts,’ exclaimed the earl, with an offhand manner and indifferent tone. ‘ I will apply to the Lord Chan- cellor for an order to open the vault; and I will send down agents duly authorized to carry this aim into effect. The ex- amination of the registers can stand over until the same op- portunity. Indeed, it will be better that the same persons should conduct both investigations, because there will then be only one set of witnesses, and consequently a saving of expense. I presume, Mr. Roberts, that when I do thus send my agents down, you will throw no obstacle in their way.’ I answered that I should obey any official mandate or proper authority in respect to the opening of the vault; and that as for the registers, any one was at liberty to inspect them on certain terms. ‘ The truth is,’ continued the earl, who seemed resolved to be communicative, although I can assure your ladyship there was nothing encouraging in my manner toward him, ‘ a great deal — indeed, almost every- thing on the Marchioness of Bellenden’s side — depends upon a particular conveyance deed which she has put into court. This deed is alleged to have been signed by the late Marquis of Bellenden’s father fifty years ago, — that is to say, in the year 1745. But according to what I have been able to COMMUCG Doo <S (GO)