The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 280: what you’re looking at

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

~~ ec ae 278 — ' “* os « ae ae ——— 7 ee . 4 the path, and either from ignorance of the exalted rank THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON, rr a ee a ee name had evidently revived certain unpleasant recol- of the speakers, or with a design of attracting their lections, and he twice turned upon his heel to go back, attention, paused close beside them, without the usual when some sudden resolution restrained him, respectful long drawn curtsey which, in those days of | “So,” he mattered, “ the rascal has thriven in the hoops and brocades, saluted royalty whenever it made | world; grown rich, and doubtless respectable, upon its appearance in public. ‘What a sweet creature!” exclaimed the prince. ' fixing an eager eye upon her; “by Jove, I have not ‘geen a finer woman since my teens.’’ : “Why yes,” drawled the Frenchman, “ghe is a gorgeous animal—certainly not an Englishwoman.” The young female who had thus excited the atten- tion of the two libertines was indeed one of those Juno-like beauties which, once seen, are long remem- bered. Her fedtures: were of the Italian, or rather the | Spa paul mould! eves and hair like jet, teeth “which showed liké two rows of orient pearls resting - *twixt coral banks, and a bust which Love mght have chosen for his wanton pillow. Although thus striking in her person and lone, there was an air of modesty ‘in her deportment which forbad the idea that she was other than a respectable person. She seemed like _a child when ripening into womanhood—unconscious of her opening beauties. The Prince of Walés was struck with her appear- ance; he began to tire, at this time, of the eternal blue eyes and flaxen locks of the reigning favourite, although they remained, in latter life, the standard of his taste. The walk was too public and too frequented to permit of his addressing her. “ Hami'ton,” he said, in a careless tone, as if about to say one of the most indifferent things in the world. “Your royal highness,” replied the colonel bowing: “ Tt is too bad to retain you from your pleasures this lovely morning. I remember you have an affair with Grafton, respecting his racer. We can dispense with your attendance.” The gentleman raised his hat, and glanced towards the young girl who had just passed them. The speaker simply nodded; but that nod, to the accomplished man of the world, was suflicient; he understood the service expected from him, and, like a bloodhound once set upér the scent; prepared to follow the destined victim, Meanwhile the two royal rakes pursued their walk, Altheugh strongly tempted, his prudence got the better of his desire, and he forbore toaccost her. His object was to follow her to her avode—to find the lair of the doe before he started om the chase, He had not long to pursue the track; the female, with that quick step which indicates the desire to avoid recog nition or delay, made best of her way past the glorious old Abbey of St. Peter to one of the quiet old-fashioned streets running in a line with it, and entered a house, the lower part of which was fitted up as a shop. Antique plate, jewels half covered with dust, peeping their faded velvet cases, smal) wooden bowls filled with foreign coins, were to be seen through the dirty win , which were protected from the attempts of the thief by a net-work of rusty brass ; in short, it was one of those miscellaneous re- positories so generally kept by the sons of Israel, in which business was occasionally transacted, from the sale of 4 broken teaspoon to the purchase of a service of family plate. On a plate half green with verdi- gris and obscured by dirt was the name of Aaron Wolf. The gallant colonel started as he beheld it, and for awhile seemed embarrassed how to proceed, his trade in blood and crime, It is impossible he should recollect me. I am half inclined to venture; but it must not be in my present gear,” he added; “he has an eye would recognise the bird, had he once seen the egg from which it was hatched. I must moult these gaudy feathers, and go differently to work with him.” With these words he turned a third time on his steps, and made the best of his way back to the park. “fave you succeeded?” whispered the Prince of Wales, as soon as he beheld him, “I have, your royal highness,” replied the mes- Senger; “she is a Jevress.” “I guessed as much,” replied the questioner “ from her oriental style of baking ‘ones has bet mé a theusand that I don’t possess her within a month, What is your opinion?” “ That your highness will win.” **Of course,” “But I think it will be difficult. She evidently belongs to one of the wealthy families of her tribe. Her father—if the owner of the house to which I dodged her be indeed the father of so splendid a piece of flesh and blood—is rich; he is evidently a money - lender and usurer,” “EK gad !” said the prince, laughing, * the ance may be profitable in more ways than one, “ And where,’”’ said the Duke of Orleans, carelessly. . — 4 A as if it were one of the most unimportant questions in | the world he was asking, “ does this pearl of Israel reside?” , Hamilton was too experienced a hand at intrigue to be thrown so easily off his guard. His only answer was a profound bow, which his royal patron perfectly understood, “A clever fellow,” thought the prince to himself; “not to be done,” “A finished intriguer,” muttered the Duke of Orleans; “I must cause inquiries to be made respect- ing his career in France,” That very night a masquerade was given at the Pantheon ; butlittle curiosity, therefore, was éxcited in the fashionable lodgings in which Colune! Hamilton resided, when at an early hour he sent for a chair, and dressed in a Quaker-like suit of sober gréy, with large silver buckles in his shoes, a brown scratch his head, and his whole countenance still firther dis- guised by @ pair of enormous green spectacles, dé- scended the staircase, and ordered the bearers to take | him to the Horse Guards. | “What a strange man the colonel is!” dbsérved the landlord to his better-half. “What can mduce to disfigure himself in that way? A pretty disgui that for a masquerade! Thedevil would not recom him! No doubt but be has some intrigne in hasd.” The speaker was not far wrong, bat he had not the least idea of the nature of his intrigue. He had that very morning encountered his lodger in the Bi walking with the Prince of Wales. All suspicion of his station in society of course was out of the ats stion. The respectable Mr. Aaron Wolf was on the point of closing the shop for the night when the disguised rake made his appearance. He, had artived on foot; for, with his usual caution, he had dismissed the chair- man at the Horse Guards, that no clue might be left — The ! of his whereabouts. : comirchbooks*e¢om s7eom