The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

140 nine o’clock you will take a cab and repair toa particular address, which is written on this card,” —at the same time presenting one. “You will merely knock at the door and send in your own name, A large box will be given to you, of which you must take particular care. It contains things which I design as presents; and the truth is I wish to surprise those for whom the gifts are destined: — hence this little degree of mystery which I am observing on the point. You will leave London by the first coach on Wednesday morning; and you will bring the box amongst your own luggage. Put upon it a card with your own name; and when you arrive at Oaklands, let it be taken up, together with your other boxes, to the chamber which will be allotted to you there, Do you understand P” “ Perfectly, my lord,” responded Christian. * And you will see the necessity of keeping the matter profoundly secret,’ rejoined the Duke: “because, as I tell you, I mean to divert myself a little with the distribution of the presents which the box contains. I know that I can rely on your discretion and fidelity. Mr. Calvert will provide you with the requisite funds for your travelling expenses; and you must be sure to arrive at Oak- Jands in the course of next Wednesday.” Christian bowed, and quitted the library. Sal- lying forth, he proceeded at once to Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square, and communicated to Mr. Redcliffe everything that had just taken place between himself and the Duke. The address of the house at which he had to call, was Madame Angelique’s; and Christian having purposely passed it by in his walk up to Mrs. Macaulay’s, was enabled to report that it was a milliner’s establishment. Neither Redcliffe nor himself for a moment believed that Marchmont’s explanation of certain intended gifts, was otherwise than a pretext for some ulterior design: but what this design might be, young Ashton could not for the life of him conjecture—while Mr. Redcliffe volun- teered no surmise. You must perform exactly, my young friend,” he said, “the mission that is entrusted to you: but upon obtaining possession of the box, come direct hither to me before you take it to March- mont House. I may then tell you how we will act. Besides, it is necessary that I should see you again ere your departure for Oaklands.” Christian promised to fulfil Mr. Redcliffe’s in- structions; and took his leave of this gentleman. He stepped into Mrs. Macaulay’s parlour to shake hands with the widow,—who bade him be sure and not forget to bring his sister to take a friendly cup of tea with her on the first convenient evening. He was about to depart, when Mrs, Macaulay beckoned him back, and in a tone of mysterious confidence, she said, “ By the bye, 1 remember I have got a little party on Saturday evening; and it?s on rather a memorable occasion. The fact is, I and Mrs. Sifkin have not been on speaking terms with each other for the last ten years. Not that it was any fault of mine, you know; because I am quite incapable of giving offence even to a worm— much less a human being that walks upright on two legs. It was all owing to jealousy on Mrs. Sifkin’s part. However she has made overtures through Mrs. Dumpling—a lady in the same street. She lets lodgings too, does Mrs. Dump- THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ling; and between you and me, wretched apart- ments they are! You wouldn’t believe it, my dear Mr. Ashton,” added Mrs. Macaulay, in a voice of awful mystery: “no—you never would believe it!—but it is as true as I am a living woman !” ‘ What’s true!” asked Christian. “Bugs, my young friend—bugs, I can assure you!” replied Mrs. Macaulay. ‘“ Nothing should induce me to say such a thing of a neighbour, if it wasn’t the case. If they were fleas only—but bugs dreadful! ‘“‘ Dreadful indeed!” muttered Christian, with a sensation as if something disagreeable were creep- ing over him under his clothes. “ However,” proceeded Mrs. Macaulay, “ barring the bugs, Mrs. Dumpling is a very excellent neigh- bour, and a kind-hearted woman—though she does give nothing but that odious currant wine of her’s and captain’s biscuits, with may-be a stale tart or two, for supper when she has a little party. Still she is a good woman; and she went right across yesterday morning to Mrs. Sifkin, and told her her mind about her conduct towards me. I dare say that Mrs. Dumpling did come out rather strong, because I know that she had had a Jeetle drop of brandy beforehand in fact, it was out of a bottle that Mr. Redcliffe, poor dear soul! sent down from his room However the long and short of it was that Mrs, Sifkin confessed the errors of her ways; and Mrs. Dumpling proposed that if Mrs. Sifkin would send me over an apology through her, I would give a party to clinch the reconciliation and celebrate the event. So I mean to do the thing nicely, and give a pretty spread on Saturday evening ; and if you and your dear sister will favour me with your company, I shall be de- lighted.” “T cannot say how my sister may be engaged,” answered Christian ; “and I do not for a moment think that she will be enabled to accept your kind invitation. But as for myself, I say yes with much pleasure.” ‘And you will be welcome,” said Mrs. Macau- lay. ‘But pray do bring your dear sister, if she can possibly manage to come.” Christian bade the woman good-bye, and has- tened on to the Regent’s Park to see Christina. He had not the least intention of bringing her in contact either with the amiable Mrs. Sifkin, or with Mrs. Dumpling who had bugs in her lodg- ings: but he had accepted the invitation for him~ self, not only because he fancied that he might be dull at Marchmont House while the family was away—but also because he had some little curiosity to sce how the rival lodging-house keepers would get on together. It was about two in the afternoon of the follow- ing day, that Mr. Redcliffe—enveloped in his cloak as usual, and with his hat more or less slouched over his countenance—walked slowly down that fashionable street in which the adjoining establish- ments of Madame Angelique and M. Bertin were situated. Having well surveyed the milliner’s premises—or rather their exterior,—Redcliffe con- tinued his way; and if the thoughts which were passing in his mind, were reduced to words, they would have taken some such shape as the follows in “The establishment seems respectable enough : VNOOKS (CO) CO)