The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 340: what you’re looking at

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

~_-—— - -- — niece, a O26 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. © Well, my dear young lady,” said the house- keeper, “I need not tell you that it was a sad and shocking blow for hs lordship and his lordship’s But L see that I must not chatter in this way to youany longer. Pray compose yourself to rest. I will leave a light in your room: and on this table by your bedside you will find cordials, restoratives, and various kinds of refreshment, should you feel exhausted or faint. I will visit you early in the morning, and hope to learn that you have slept off the effects of the alarm and nervous- ness produced by the fire.” The housekeeper then withdrew: and Ariadne speedily sank into a profound slumber, little sus- pecting into what a maze of perils she had beenso perfidiously betrayed. The first thing in the morning Brockman ac- quainted the Marquis with the arrival of a young lady in the middle of the night: and as the valet had been conversing with the housekeeper only a few minutes before he repaired to his master’s chamber, he had gleaned from her lips all that she herself had gleaned from Ariadne’s. The Marquis of Leveson was unfeignedly astonished when he heard of this arrival: and Brockman saw at once that his master had really not expected any such occurrence. But while they were still deliberating upon the event, and the valet was explaining to the Marquis how the fair stranger had spoken of Sir Douglas Huntingdon and the fire which had occurred at his house, a footman knocked at the door to an- nounce that a man, who declined giving his name, solicited an immediate audience of his lordship. That this was one of the men who had-brought the fair stranger to the mansion during the night, was presumable: and the Marquis, anxious to learn more of the matter, at once proceeded to the room where the individual was waiting. The visitor was none other than the Hangman, _ dressed out in his very best apparel: but his ill- favoured countenance and sinister look were not much improved by the advantages of a Sunday garb. However, the Marquis did not expect to encounter an elegant gentleman in the individual who had brought the fair stranger to his house: but at the same time he little suspected that the ruffian who now stood in his presence was the Public Executioner—the man who had been ad- - mitted into the joint cunfidence of his niece Ernes- tina and the Prince Regent relative to the affair of the deceased Paul Dysart ! “‘ Well, and what is your business ?” inquired the nobleman. “JT called about the youny girl that me and a couple of pals of mine left here last night,” said the Hangman, with the most brazen effrontery. “And pray,” demanded the Marquis, assuming a stern look,— what made you bring that young female hither ?” “You see, my lord,” replied Daniel Coffin, “ Sir Douglas Huntingdon’s house was burnt to the ground during the past night. Me and my pals happened to be mingling quite promiscuous in the crowd that the fire collected; and, lo and behold! the Baronet brought down a young lady in his arms, half naked and in a fainting state. So, _ Seeing that she was beautiful as an angel, we got possession of her—whipped her into a coach—and brought her here——” “ But why did you bring her hither?” demanded the Marquis: “that is the point I want you to clear up.” ——— “Oh! there’s no gammon about mo, my lord,” | exclaimed Coffin. “The fact is, I’ve been in those secret chambers of your lordship’s, and have looked at all the pretty things in the shape of statues and paintings——” “Ah!” ejaculated the nobleman, the truth flash- ing to his comprehension: “then you are 7 “Dan’el Coffin, at your lordship’s service,” was the reply. “If your lordship wants references,” added the fellow, with cool self-sufficiency, “I can give ’em eitlier to Lady Ernestina or the Prince Regent.” “Well, I know now who you are and all about you,” said the Marquis, scarcely able to conceal the sensation of utter loathing which he expe- rienced as he gazed upon the public executioner. “In plain terms, thea, you fancied that in conse- quence of having seen my private apartments, you would not be doing wrong in brioging the young girl to me 2?” “'That’s just what it is, my lord,” answered the Hangman. “But do you know who she is?” inquired the Marquis: “ what is her station in life ?—is she the mistress of Sir Douglas Huntingdon—a relative— oraservant? In fact, tell me ajl about her.” “She's not a servant, but looks like a very gen- teel young person—almost a lady, I should say. But one thing is very certain—she’s not the Baro- net’s mistress: for I happen to know that she hasn’t even known him many hours.” “But a few minutes are enough to ruin a woman’s virtue—let alone a few hours,” said the Marquis. ‘“ However, that is of little consequence, since the girl is really beautiful. And now after all you have said, do you mean me to understand that you are not well acquainted with her? Of course you are! What is her name?” “YT caut tell your lordship—I know no more than Adam,” was the reply. “ The fact is, in a few words, me and my pals were at Shooter’s Hill on a little business the night before last; and Sir Douglas Huntingdon, who was travelling that way, fellinto our hands. Within the same hour, another accident also threw this young lady in our way: and to be brief, they both succeeded in eifecting their escape and getting off together. So it was natural that the Baronet should give the young girl an asylum : and that’s the way she cane to beat his house. But hasn’t your lordship seen her yet?” “Not yet. Iam however told that she is really very beautiful,” observed the Marquis. “ Beautiful!” cried the Hangman, with a diabo- lical leer: “ she’s so sweetly pre tty that if I hadn’t thought your lordship would give a good price for her, I should have kept her for myself. I don’t know much of these matters ; but I must say that you need only look in her face to see that she’s innocence itself.” “Well, and so now you are come for your reward ?” said the Marquis. “What do you expect ?” “Vifty guineas won’t hurt your lordship,” an- swered the Hangman, “ There—take that,” said the Marquis, throwing down his purse, which he knew contained more han the sum demanded. CORNICLOO S (€()