the bedford-row conspiracy(百得福特娄阴谋)-第13节
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connection with Mr。 Perkins； or she would have been much more guarded
in her language； but whether she knew it or not； the old gentleman felt a
huge indignation； and determined to have his revenge。
〃That's right； Uncle！ SHALL I call Gorgon out？〃 said the impetuous
young Perkins； who was all for blood。
〃John； you are a fool；〃 said his uncle。 〃You shall have a better
revenge： you shall be married from Sir George Gorgon's house； and you
shall see Mr。 William Pitt Scully sold for nothing。〃 This to the veteran
diplomatist seemed to be the highest triumph which man could possibly
enjoy。
It was very soon to take place： and； as has been the case ever since
the world began； woman； lovely woman was to be the cause of Scully's
fall。 The tender scene at Lord Mantrap's was followed by many others
equally sentimental。 Sir George Gorgon called upon his colleague the
very next day； and brought with him a card from Lady Gorgon inviting Mr。
Scully to dinner。 The attorney eagerly accepted the invitation； was
received in Baker Street by the whole amiable family with much respectful
cordiality； and was pressed to repeat his visits as country neighbours
should。 More than once did he call； and somehow always at the hour
when Sir George was away at his club； or riding in the Park； or elsewhere
engaged。 Sir George Gorgon was very old； very feeble； very much
shattered in constitution。 Lady Gorgon used to impart her fears to Mr。
Scully every time he called there； and the sympathising attorney used to
console her as best he might。 Sir George's country agent neglected the
propertyhis lady consulted Mr。 Scully concerning it。 He knew to a
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fraction how large her jointure was； how she was to have Gorgon Castle
for her life； and how； in the event of the young baronet's death （he； too；
was a sickly poor boy）； the chief part of the estates； bought by her money；
would be at her absolute disposal。
〃What a pity these odious politics prevent me from having you for our
agent；〃 would Lady Gorgon say； and indeed Scully thought it was a pity
too。 Ambitious Scully！ what wild notions filled his brain。 He used to
take leave of Lady Gorgon and ruminate upon these things； and when he
was gone； Sir George and her Ladyship used to laugh。
〃If we can but commit himif we can but make him vote for Pincher；〃
said the General； 〃my peerage is secure。 Hawksby and Crampton as
good as told me so。〃
The point had been urged upon Mr。 Scully repeatedly and adroitly。 〃Is
not Pincher a more experienced man than Macabaw？〃 would Sir George
say to his guest over their wine。 Scully allowed it。 〃Can't you vote for
him on personal grounds； and say so in the House？〃 Scully wished he
couldhow he wished he could！ Every time the General coughed； Scully
saw his friend's desperate situation more and more； and thought how
pleasant it would be to be lord of Gorgon Castle。 〃Knowing my
property；〃 cried Sir George； 〃as you do； and with your talents and integrity；
what a comfort it would be could I leave you as guardian to my boy！ But
these cursed politics prevent it； my dear fellow。 Why WILL you be a
Radical？〃 And Scully cursed politics too。 〃Hang the low…bred rogue；〃
added Sir George； when William Pitt Scully left the house： 〃he will do
everything but promise。〃
〃My dear General；〃 said Lady Gorgon； sidling up to him and patting
him on his old yellow cheek〃My dear Georgy； tell me one thing；are
you jealous？〃
〃Jealous； my dear！ and jealous of THAT fellowpshaw！〃
〃Well； then； give me leave； and you shall have the promise to…
morrow。〃
* * *
To…morrow arrived。 It was a remarkably fine day； and in the
forenoon Mr。 Perkins gave his accustomed knock at Scully's study； which
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was only separated from his own sitting…room by a double door。 John had
wisely followed his uncle's advice； and was on the best terms with the
honourable Member。
〃Here are a few sentences；〃 said he； 〃which I think may suit your
purpose。 Great public servicesundeniable merityears of integrity
cause of reform； and Macabaw for ever！〃 He put down the paper。 It
was； in fact； a speech in favour of Mr。 Macabaw。
〃Hush；〃 said Scully； rather surlily； for he was thinking how
disagreeable it was to support Macabaw； and besides； there were clerks in
the room； whom the thoughtless Perkins had not at first perceived。 As
soon as that gentleman saw them； 〃You are busy； I see；〃 continued he in a
lower tone。 〃I came to say that I must be off duty to…day； for I am
engaged to take a walk with some ladies of my acquaintance。〃
So saying； the light…hearted young man placed his hat
unceremoniously on his head； and went off through his own door；
humming a song。 He was in such high spirits that he did not even think
of closing the doors of communication； and Scully looked after him with a
sneer。
〃Ladies； forsooth；〃 thought he； 〃I know who they are。 This precious
girl that he is fooling with； for one； I suppose。〃 He was right： Perkins
was off on the wings of love； to see Miss Lucy； and she and Aunt Biggs
and Uncle Crampton had promised this very day to come and look at the
apartments which Mrs。 John Perkins was to occupy with her happy
husband。
〃Poor devil；〃 so continued Mr。 Scully's meditations； 〃it is almost too
bad to do him out of his place； but my Bob wants it； and John's girl has； I
hear； seven thousand pounds。 His uncle will get him another place
before all that money is spent。〃 And herewith Mr。 Scully began conning
the speech which Perkins had made for him。
He had not read it more than six times；in truth； he was getting it by
heart；when his head clerk came to him from the front room； bearing a
card： a footman had brought it； who said his lady was waiting below。
Lady Gorgon's name was on the card！ To seize his hat and rush
downstairs was； with Mr。 Scully； the work of an infinitesimal portion of
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time。
It was indeed Lady Gorgon in her Gorgonian chariot。
〃Mr。 Scully；〃 said she； popping her head out of window and smiling in
a most engaging way； 〃I want to speak to you； on something very
particular INDEED〃and she held him out her hand。 Scully pressed it
most tenderly： he hoped all heads in Bedford Row were at the windows
to see him。 〃I can't ask you into the carriage； for you see the governess is
with me； and I want to talk secrets to you。〃
〃Shall I go and make a little promenade？〃 said mademoiselle；
innocently。 And her mistress hated her for that speech。
〃No。 Mr。 Scully； I am sure； will let me come in for five minutes？〃
Mr。 Scully was only too happy。 My Lady descended and walked
upstairs； leaning on the happy solicitor's arm。 But how should he
manage？ The front room was consecrated to clerks； there were clerks too；
as ill…luck would have it； in his private room。 〃Perkins is out for the
day；〃 thought Scully； 〃I will take her into his room。〃 And into Perkins's
room he took heray； and he shut the double doors after him too； and
trembled as he thought of his own happiness。
〃What a charming little study；〃 said Lady Gorgon； seating herself。 And
indeed it was very pretty： for Perkins had furnished it beautifully； and
laid out a neat tray with cakes； a cold
