The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 220: what you’re looking at

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206 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. good breeding, and as if there were nothing pecu- | mitted Venetia, Captain Tash, and Robin into the liar either in his own position or in the circum- stances of the present occasion. Having paid his respects to Colonel Malpas, who could very well have dispensed with his company, Horace turned towards the Prince: and his Royal Highness shook him with all his wonted cordiality by the hand. The Marquis of Leveson and Sir Douglas Huntingdon were equally warm in their greetings: whereas the Earl of Curzon was not only some- what cold and distant, but likewise suffered a partial sneer to curl his lips as he spoke. Sack- ville did not however seem to notice this mani- festation of ill-feeling: but, turning again towards the others, he proceeded to discourse, without constraint or embarrassment, upon the principal topics of the day. In a few minutes the domestic announced that dinner was served; and the party repaired to the banquetting-room. The repast was of the most succulent descrip- _tion, fully equalling that of which the same com- pany had partaken at Lord Leveson’s. The wines were of the first quality; and the dessert was not less commendable to the tastes of the convivialists. During the banquet not a word was spoken in reference to the object of the meeting—and not an allusion made to it. But the discourse was sustained, as if by common consent, on a variety of other subjects. Nevertheless, everybody did in his heart feel that unless these efforts were made to support the conversation uninterruptedly, the damp of constraint would speedily fall upon their spirits. As for Colonel Malpas, he drank large quantities of wine in order to keep up an artificial gaiety: but the nearer the moment arrived for the grand act in the drama, the more nervous and apprehensive did he in reality become. At length the cloth was drawn—the dessert was placed upon the table—and the domestics retired. It was now about eight o’clock in the evening: and Mr. Plumpstead, the butler, opening the front door, ijooked up and down Great Marlborough Street, by the light of the lamps. In a few mi- nutes three persons descended from a private car- riage at a little distance; and, having directed that the vehicle should wait for their return, they hur- ried to the door at which the butler was standing. These three persons were Venetia, Captain Tash, and his man Robin. The lady was elegantly dressed and looked en- chantingly beautiful, as if she had even derived a more brilliant loveliness from matrimony. Captain ‘l'ash was in full evening costume, with dress coat, white waistcoat and cravat, and kid gloves: his aspect was uncommonly fierce, as usual—but blended therewith, was an air of supreme import- ance. As for Robin, he was decently attired: but the purple robes of Napoleon could not have imparted dignity to his shambling gait and sneak- ing looks. . “Hush!” said the butler, putting his finger to his lips in a knowing manner, the instant Venetia and her two companions ascended the steps: “it is allright. Mr. Sackville has told me of your coming—and he’s a real gentleman, He wouldn’t owe two years and a half’s wages to a poor butler, V’ll be bound.” Having somewhat relieved his feelings by this indirect cut at his master, Mr. Plumpstead ad- house, gently closing the front-door. “ Now, ma’am, what can I do for you next?” he inquired of Venetia. “Mr. Sackville has done what’s right towards me——” “He has proposed to take you into his service ?” said Venetia. “He has, ma’am: and therefore I already regard you as my missus.” “Can you manage to leave the dining-room door a little ajar,” inquired Venetia, “so that 1 may overhear what takes place within?” “Certainly, ma’am,” responded Plumpstead. “ Be so good as to remain here quite quiet: there’s no fear of any one coming out of the dining-room —and if any of the other servants should see you in the hall, they won’t say a word, I’ve given them a hint upon the subject.” Thus speaking, Piumpstead cast a glance upon the hall-table in search of some object which should furnish a pretext for entering the dining- room; and taking up a crystal jug, filled with water, he threw his napkin half round it in the true butler-fashion, and carried it in. As he placed it uron the table, Colonel Malpas said, * You need not come in any more until [ ring.” “Very good, sir,” replied Plumpstead: and he paused for a few instants to open a large screen and draw it round the door, apparently to keep out the draught, but in reality to hide the door itseli, Then, issuing from the room, he caused the door to sound as if it were being shut— whereas he left it ajar. Captain Tash, Venetia, and Robin were thus enabled to overhear in the hall whatever took place in the dining-room. The critical moment had now arrived for Colonel Malpas to carry out the daring scheme which he had concocted: and when it became evident that he was about to rise and speak, the looks of his guests were fixed upon him with an expression of intense interest. Tossing off a bumper of Port, he rose and said, “May it please your Royal Highness, and you, my lords and gentlemen, it would ill become ine to act as chairman or president at a meeting in which I am about to perform a somewhat prominent part. I therefore suggest that our esteemed treasurer, the Marquis of Leveson, shall preside over our proceedings.” “A very excellent suggestion,” observed the Prince Regent. “ Of course you all agree. Good! Come, take the chair, Leveson.” Colonel Malpas accordingly resigned his seat at the head of the table to the Marquis, aud took the one which this nobleman had hitherto occupied next to the Prince Regent. “Now,” said Lord Leveson, as he drew forth his pocket-book and counted down six Bank- notes, each for a thousand pounds,—afterwards placing a purse full of gold upon them, — “here are the six thousand guineas which I have held as treasurer, and which I am prepared to pay into the hands of the fortunate individual who shall prove his right and title to the same, ac- cording to the terms of eur compact. But I must observe, as your chairman, that I hope our proceedings will be conducted with the ut- most good-humour, and that each and all will preserve a calm temper, no matter what may transpire.” En COMI GIOOKS (E(0)