The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 370: what you’re looking at

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

364 now completely cool and collected: “it may be all an error—it may arise from something ex- haling a peculiar odour which strikes upon this man’s exquisitely keen sensitiveness: but if on the other hand, there be really a cobra within these walls, rest assured that by the aid of the music it will be discovered and destroyed.” “ But if it should suddenly spring on one of these messengers ?” said Christina, with a fright-. ened look of inquiry. ““There is no chance when once the piping be- gins But here is Mark—and now the mystery will soon be solved !” The intendant appeared with the flageolet, which he had been to fetch from the servants’ hall; and having handed it to the junior emissary, he has- tened off again, to do Indora’s bidding in respect to locking himself in with the other servants, in the room where they habitually sate. In that room the English interpreter was now seated: there also were Sagoonah and the Indian man- servant Tippoo—the groom—and two English females (for the Princess had taken an additional maid into her service since Christina became an in- mate of the villa). Thecoachman did not sleep at the house, and had already gone to his own home. On returning to that room, Mark deliberately locked the door and consigned the key to his pocket. He was the last man in the world—much too sedate and serlous—to play a practical joke; and therefore his fellow-servants at once compre- hended that there was something strange and un- usual in progress—while perhaps Sagoonah, having a guilty conscience, might be smitten with the suspicion that the proceeding related to her own infernal project: but if so, she outwardly betrayed nothing. “What is the meaning of this, Mr. Mark P” inquired the groom, but in that tone of respect which he was always accustomed to adopt towards his mistress’s intendant. “You need not alarm yourselves,’ responded Mark: “it is merely a wise precaution. Every one knows we have a certain species of venomous reptile in this country—and there is some little reason to suppose that one has got into the house.” “Well, Mr. Mark,” exclaimed the groom, scarcely able to prevent himself from bursting out into a laugh, “and if there should be such a thing as a viper in the house, it is not by locking our- selves in this room that we shall get it out again. I would just as soon tackle it as I did the large rat that I killed in the stable yesterday morn- ing.” “There happens to be a snake-charmer from India here this evening,” replied Mark; “and perhaps her ladyship has a mind to see whether his skill extends to English reptiles as well as to Asiatic ones. But hark! he has commenced! Those are the sounds of my flageolet !” The two English maid-servants were very much alarmed at the idea of a viper being in the house: the groom now laughed outright—Mark continued serious—and the English interpreter knew not exactly what to think. Tippoo, the Indian man- servant, appeared to be suddenly seized with terror as the sounds of the peculiar melody which the Junior messenger drew from the flageolet, reached the servants’ hall: for Tippoo instantaneously re- THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT, cognised the particular strains used in charming the cobra in his own native land. As for Sa- goonah, she saw at once that the presence of the reptile was suspected—she was at no loss to con- jecture how the instincts of the quondam snake- charmer must have led to the discovery—she per- ceived that her project was ruined—and she in- wardly cursed the inauspicious arrival of the mes- sengers on this particular night. But so far as her own personal safety was concerned, she had no dread: she felt convinced that it could not be for an instant suspected that she had brought away the cobra from the Gardens, or that she had placed it in the couch of a mistress whom she was be- lieved to love with so sincere and inflexible a de- votion. We must now return to the drawing-room, which Mark had so recently quitted, leaving the junior messenger in possession of the flageolet. This individual made a sign to his superior, who at once drew his keen sharp sword from its sheath, and was thus in readiness to act as circumstances might direct. The junior emissary,—whose last remnant of terror had altogether vanished, and who now seemed to be inspired with a confidence as great as his recent alarm—began to play upon the flageolet in a peculiar manner. At the same time he turned himself slowly round, as if moving on a pivot where he was standing; and his search- ing eyes thus gradually embraced the whole circuit of the apartment. In a few minutes he desisted, and said something to the Princess. “His first impression is fully confirmed,” re- marked her Highness to Christina: “he is con- vinced that the cobra is no¢ in this room—for if so, the reptile would speedily have come dancing forth from its lurking-place. You and I will remain here while they pursue their search else- where.” “And your ladyship does now really believe,” said Christina, shuddering, “that there is such a venomous reptile about these premises ?” “If I were to.give you the assurance,” rejoined Indora, “that there is nothing of the kind to be apprehended in my estimation, I should be speak- ing untruthfully. And yet, on the other hand, I am at a loss to comprehend how it can possibly be. But we shall soon be relieved from uncertainty and suspense.” Indora now gave the emissaries, in her own native language, some information as to the other apartments; and they quitted the drawing-room together,—the junior one being careful to recom- mence his play upon the flageolet the instant the door was opened. ‘They issued forth, closing the door behind them; and the peculiar music which the Hindoo made upon the instrument, continued to reach the ears of Indora and Christina as the emissaries passed across the landing to another room. ‘The Princess sate calm and self-possessed : but Christina could not help experiencing strange sensations creepirg over her. What if by any accident the Hindoo’s instinct had so far failed him, and the music had so far lost its wonted charm, that the serpent—if a serpent indeed there ~ were—was actually in that very room? what if presently it should come gliding forth from beneath some piece of furniture, with that stealthy in- sidiousness which characterises the reptile species alone? For aught Christina knew to the con- CORNIELIOOKS