The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

66 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT i yery day that the duel took place, that a tall man, of gentlemanly appearance, and well though plainly dressed—that is to say, his apparel was genteel and of good materials, but without pretension—passed slowly along Mortimer Street ; and observing a card in a window, announcing a first floor to let ready furnished, he knocked at the door. On one of the servants answering it, he re- quested to look at the rooms; and he was in the first instance shown into Mrs. Macau- lay’s parlour, while that respectable female “tidied herself up a bit’”—to use her own phrase. Having washed her face and hands, slipped on her silk gown and her cap with pink ribands, Mrs. Macaulay entered the parlour, with a simpering mien and a half-curtsey. She prided herself upon being an excellent physiognomist : for she always scrutinized well every applicant for her lodgings—so that she might calculate the chances of being paid her rent, or of having her tenants decamp suddenly some fine day. As a matter of course such disagreeable incidents as these had been within the range of her expe- rience; and by treasuring up in her mind the countenances of the delinquents, she regarded them as criterions for the formation of her judg- ment in future, Therefore, om entering into the presence of the gentlemam to, whom we have al- - luded, she studied him wath. alll the keenness of her perception, yet without appearing to do so. As we have said, he was: of tall stature: we may add that he was of commanding aspect. his hair, which was of am irom gray, was: worn much away from above the forehead; and was thin upon the crown. His whiskers; whieh were large, were a shade darker—yet quite gray at the roots. Handsome he might be: considered, so far as the profile was concerned: but he had a cold stern look that was almost saturnine, and which chilled the beholder. His complexiom appeared to be made up of sallowness bronzed with the sun. As for his age, it was by no means easy to fix it: he might be fifty—he might even be several years younger or older; but that which might have led to the former inference, was that he possessed a fine set of teeth which were well preserved. He was dressed in black; and over his shoulders there hung loosely a dark blue cloak. Though it was only the middle of October, the weather was still warmly genial, and the landlady therefore concluded he was an invalid or had lately been one, and thus sought to protect himself against the chance of taking cold. From the result of her survey, she could not exactly make up her mind as to whether sne liked his appearance or not.. He had the air of a gentleman: but then that cold severe stern look of his troubled and bewildered her. Besides, was not the Polish Count with an awful long name, and who turned out to be no Count at all, but only a wild Irish adventurer, and who had run away five pounds in her debt,—was not he a very gentlemanly man? while, on the other hand, did she not decline to receive as a lodger an elderly person, merely on account of his haughtily stern look—and had not this very individual lived for the last ten years with Mrs, Sifkin over the way, paying his rent as regularly as clock-work, and never venturing a hint that his tea and sugar dis- appeared rapidly, or that somehow or another | something was always wanted though a store of it had been laid in only a day or two backP There- fore, it was no wonder if worthy Mrs. Macaulay was puzzled how to act in the present instance, and that the tall gentleman’s countenance was one which seemed to defy her skill as a physiognomist. “I see that you have apartments to let,” he said: and the mildnegss of his voice, rich however in its sonorous harmony, and tinctured with a deep mournfulness, almost made her start: for she had expected that naught but the sternest accents could issue from those lips. “Yes, sir,’ she responded, cheering up con- siderably, and again putting on the invariable simper of an obliging landlady: “I think you will find them excellent apartments. Is it for yourself and lady—or a “For myself only,” replied the stranger; and he made a motion towards the door; as if impatient to view the apartments without further delay or discourse. “T will show you the rooms, sir,’ continued Mrs. Macaulay: and as she led the way up the stairs, she muttered to herself, “ Heavens! there’s a broom where a broom should not be!” and then as she reached. the landing; she suddenly opened a closet-door and thrust a paall intorit, still mutter- ing, “ That slut: Betsy!’ what: cwwshe be thinking of 2” The apartments were: duly shown : the stranger merely flung a single glance round the drawing- room and the bed-chamber;, which were on the same level'—and expressed! himself satisfied. “The rent, sir, is fourguimeas a week—of course including attendance,” said’ Mis, Macaulay: “but for this sum you hare a chamber up-stains, im case you keep a. servant of your own.” . “T have none—and do netimean to keep any,” answered the: gentleman... “Very good, sim—just as you think fit!” ex- claimed Mis. Macaulay. “You will find mine a very quiet house; and I need noti say,” she added, drawing herself up, “that it is of first-rate re- spectability. When should you like to come in, sir?” «A word or two first, if you please,” responded the stranger. “TI am somewhat of an invalid, and seek quiet apartments. Have you any other lodgers in the house ?” “The floor above is let, sir—but to the nicest, quietest young people that you could wish to see.” “ Have they children ?” asked the stranger. “They are brother and sister, sir,”’ rejoined Mrs. Macaulay,—* quite young folks, and highly re- spectable: for they have never once missed paying their rent since they have been here—which is up- wards of six months, They go up and down stairs as quiet as mice A “ And you have no other lodgers ?” “None, sir. If you take these rooms, my lodg- ings will all be occupied. I only let out these two floors.” “Then I will take the apartments,” said the gentleman; “and I shall come hither at once. My trunk is at an hotel hard by: I will go and send "poe “Perhaps, sir,” interposed Mrs. Macaulay, as the stranger was advancing to the door—and she spoke in a mild tone of subdued deprecation, as much as to imply that he must not take offence at (Cc) SHn(GO) 0)(0)(0)