The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 333: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 327 “You really don’t mean me any mischief ?” said Mr. Sycamore, again adopting a tone of entreaty, “Whatever promises I have made you,” an- swered our hero, “ shall be faithfully fulfilled.” He then issued from the room ; and descending to the bar of the hotel, said to the young female who kept the accounts in the landlord’s absence, “Can you make me out a bill altogether separate from that of Mr. Sycamore ?” “ Certainly I can, sir,” she replied, with a look of amazement. “ But why do you ask the ques- tion P” “ Because I have resigned my situation with Mr. Sycamore,” responded Christian: “and as I intend to leave the hotel to-morrow morning, it suits my arrangements with Mr. Sycamore to settle my own account off-hand.” “In that case, sir,” answered the bar-maid, ** your bill shall be made out. But I hope that there has been no sudden disagreement—nothing unpleasant i “Do not say another word now,” interrupted Christian: “and I will take an opportunity of “The people of the hotel—have they said any- thing to you?” asked Sycamore. Nothing more has been said to me since [I left your presence in the forenoon:’—and then it struck Christian that if he left Mr. Sycamore in a state of fearful uncertainty, he might suddenly abscond,—in which ease justice would be cheated of its due, and he himself would have given that very. warning intimation which he had resolved not to afford. He accordingly went on to say, “I see through you, Mr. Sycamore; and that is the reason I choose to leave you. But for my own character’s sake I am determined to have such a certificate or acknowledgment as that which I have described.” “You see through me ?” Sycamore repeated in- voluntarily: for he was trembling and quivering, and his senses were almost lost under the influence of terror. ‘“ But the people of the hotel ¢ “They doubtless continue in the same happy state of credulity,” answered Christian, “as that into which you have succeeded in lulling them? Now, sir, without further delay, give me the docu- ment.” “But what use will you make of it?’’ asked Sycamore, who for an instant thought of bullying | letting you know all about it a little later.” and blustering: but the next moment he felt that} He then repaired to his own room, where be he had better not—for Christian’s demeanour was | began to pack up his things in preparation for firm and resolute. departure in the morning. “The only use [ shall make of it,” replied the| Meanwhile Mr. Sycamore had been left in no young man, “is that if ever a word be uttered | very enviable state of feeling: for he could not aspersing my character in connexion with your | rightly conjecture the cause of Christian’s conduct, name, I shall at one produce that document.” Indeed he knew not whether it were better to Mr, Sycamore appeared to be relieved somewhat | decamp at once—or whether he might venture to by this assurance: yet still he required another | remain at the hotel until the first thing in the one;—and he said in a voice of abject entreaty, | morning—at which time he had already come to the “You will not, Mr. Ashton—you will not breathe | determination of departing likewise. After having 2 taken two or three agitated and uneasy turns to ana fro in the room, he rang the bell and desired that his man James might be ordered to step up to him. “Well, James,” said Mr. Sycamore, as soon as his accomplice made his appearance, “ things seem to be taking an awkward aspect sure you have shut the duor ?” “Yes, yes—the door’s shut fast enow,” an- swered James. “ But how do you mean that things is looking orkard? Where’s the orkard- ness P” “T mean that young Ashton has suddenly left a disparaging word | “J promise you that I shall not meddle unne- cessarily in your affairs,’ interrupted Christian. “The first thing to-morrow morning I shall leave Ramsgate.” “Ob! of course I shall pay you the money that is due to you,” cried Mr, Sycamore, who began to breathe more freely: and he even resumed some- what of his jaunty air of indifference. “Not a shilling!” ejaculated Christian. “TI would not touch a single farthing of the money which you have in your possession !—and I will thank you to add to the document that I thus positively renounce every fraction in the shape of | me,” responded Sycamore ; “ and he said as plainly salary or remuneration.” as he could speak that he has seen through me.” * Well, just as you like,” observed Mr. Syca- “How could he haye found out anythink ?” more, half sullenly, half flippantly: and then,as/asked James. “ Did he suspect that you yourself he sate down at the writing-table, he added with ; answered them letters which was written to Dukes, an ironical smile, “ It is now for you to dictate aud | Marquises, and Earls, bankers and Baronets; and for me to wield the pen.” that L sent up them answers of your’n in a parcel Christian took no notice of this species of sar-| to my brother in London to be posted there ?” castic jest: but he began to dictate a document * T don’t know how he came to suspect,” replied in the sense which he had already sketched forth, | Sycamore impatiently: “but I do know that the —rendering .the terms altogether exculpatory of | case is getting devilish serious.” himself with regard to complicity in whatsoever; “But you meant to leave to-morrow morning,” misdeeds might subsequently transpire in respect | said James: “it was agreed upon “twixt you to his employer. Sycamore winced considerably | and me that our quarters was to be shifted.” beneath this infliction—for such to all intents and “Yes,” exclaimed Sycamore; “ because I purposes it was. Once or twice he looked up into} reckoned upon what this eyening’s business might Cbristian’s countenance: but he beheld firm re- | produce. Here have I got hold of two young soluteness there; and he was compelled to write! chaps with plenty of money—I have already ascer- on unto the end. When he had finished and | tained that they are ready to take a hand at cards signed the document, Christian read it carefully ‘or rattle the dice—a splendid little dinner is over—tfolded it up—and placed it in his pocket. | ordered—I should ply them with champagne—L But are you Gomichbooksnco