Alice, or the Mysteries — Book 03

								

of his profession, and was fond of the society of the great.
"I have called on you, my dear sir," said Lord Vargrave, after the
preliminary salutations, "to ask a little favour, which, if the least
inconvenient, have no hesitation in refusing.  You know how I am situated
with regard to my ward, Miss Cameron; in a few months I hope she will be
Lady Vargrave."
Mr. Douce showed three small teeth, which were all that, in the front of
his mouth, fate had left him; and then, as if alarmed at the indelicacy
of a smile upon such a subject, pushed back his chair, and twitched up
his blotting-paper-coloured trousers.
"Yes, in a few months I hope she will be Lady Vargrave; and you know
then, Mr. Douce, that I shall be in no want of money."
"I hope--that is to say, I am sure,--that--I trust that never will be the
ca-ca-case with your lordship," put in Mr. Douce, with timid hesitation.
Mr. Douce, in addition to his other good qualities, stammered much in the
delivery of his sentences.
"You are very kind, but it is the case just at present; I have great need
of a few thousand pounds upon my personal security.  My estate is already
a little mortgaged, and I don't wish to encumber it more; besides, the
loan would be merely temporary.  You know that if at the age of eighteen
Miss Cameron refuses me (a supposition out of the question, but in
business we must calculate on improbabilities), I claim the forfeit she
incurs,--thirty thousand pounds; you remember."
"Oh, yes--that--is--upon my word--I--I don't exactly--but--your
lord--l-l-l-lord-lordship knows best--I have been so--so busy--I forget
the exact--hem--hem!"
"If you just turn to the will you will see it is as I say.  Now, could
you conveniently place a few thousands to my account, just for a short
time?  But I see you don't like it.  Never mind, I can get it elsewhere;
only, as you were my poor uncle's friend--"
"Your lord--l-l-l-lordship is quite mistaken," said Mr. Douce, with
trembling agitation; "upon my word, yes, a few thou-thou-thousands--to be
sure--to be sure.  Your lordship's banker is--is--"
"Drummond--disagreeable people--by no means obliging.  I shall certainly
change to your house when my accounts are better worth keeping."
"You do me great--great honour; I will just--step--step--step out for a
moment--and--and speak to Mr. Dobs;--not but what you may depend
on.--Excuse me!  'Morning Chron-chron-Chronicle,' my lord!"
Mr. Douce rose, as if by galvanism, and ran out of the room, spinning
round as he ran, to declare, again and again, that he would not be gone a
moment.
"Good little fellow, that--very like an electrified frog!" murmured
Vargrave, as he took up the "Morning Chronicle," so especially pointed
out to his notice; and turning to the leading article, read a very
eloquent attack on himself.  Lumley was thick-skinned on such matters; he
liked to be attacked,--it showed that he was up in the world.