The Bedford-Row Conspiracy | Page 9

patron more of a Radical than ever.
He found that gentleman in the solitary tea-room, pacing up and down
before the observant landlady and handmaidens of the "Gorgon Arms,"
wiping his brows, gnawing his fingers--his ears looming over his stiff
white shirt-collar as red as fire. Once more the great man seized John
Perkins's hand as the latter came up.
"D----- the aristocrats!" roared the ex-follower of Squaretoes.
"And so say I! but what's the matter, sir?"
"What's the matter?--Why, that woman--that infernal, haughty,

straitlaced, cold-blooded brewer's daughter! I loved that woman, sir--I
KISSED that woman, sir, twenty years ago: we were all but engaged,
sir: we've walked for hours and hours, sir--us and the governess--I've
got a lock of her hair, sir, among my papers now; and to-night, would
you believe it?--as soon as she got to the bottom of the set, away she
went--not one word would she speak to me all the way down: and when
I wanted to lead her to her place, and asked her if she would have a
glass of negus, 'Sir,' says she, 'I have done my duty; I bear no malice:
but I consider you a traitor to Sir George Gorgon's family--a traitor and
an upstart! I consider your speaking to me as a piece of insolent
vulgarity, and beg you will leave me to myself!' There's her speech, sir.
Twenty people heard it, and all of her Tory set too. I'll tell you what,
Jack: at the next election I'll put YOU up. Oh that woman! that
woman!- -and to think that I love her still!" Here Mr. Scully paused,
and fiercely consoled himself by swallowing three cups of Mrs.
Rincer's green tea.
The fact is, that Lady Gorgon's passion had completely got the better of
her reason. Her Ladyship was naturally cold, and artificially extremely
squeamish; and when this great red-faced enemy of hers looked
tenderly at her through his red little eyes, and squeezed her hand and
attempted to renew old acquaintance, she felt such an intolerable
disgust at his triumph, at his familiarity, and at the remembrance of her
own former liking for him, that she gave utterance to the speech above
correctly reported. The Tories were delighted with her spirit, and
Cornet Fitch, with much glee, told the story to the General; but that
officer, who was at whist with some of his friends, flung down his
cards, and coming up to his lady, said briefly,--
"Madam, you are a fool!"
"I will NOT stay here to be bearded by that disgusting man!--Mr. Fitch,
call my people.--Henrietta, bring Miss Lucy from that linendraper with
whom she is dancing. I will not stay, General, once for all."
Henrietta ran--she hated her cousin: Cornet Fitch was departing. "Stop,
Fitch," said Sir George, seizing him by the arm. "You are a fool, Lady
Gorgon," said he, "and I repeat it--a ----- fool! This fellow Scully is

carrying all before him: he has talked with everybody, laughed with
everybody--and you, with your infernal airs--a brewer's daughter, by
-----, must sit like a queen and not speak to a soul! You've lost me one
seat of my borough, with your infernal pride--fifteen hundred a year, by
Jove!--and you think you will bully me out of another. No, madam, you
SHALL stay, and stay supper too;--and the girls shall dance with every
cursed chimney-sweep and butcher in the room: they shall--confound
me!"
Her Ladyship saw that it was necessary to submit; and Mr. Springer,
the master of the ceremonies, was called, and requested to point out
some eligible partners for the young ladies. One went off with a Whig
auctioneer; another figured in a quadrille with a very Liberal
apothecary; and the third, Miss Henrietta, remained.
"Hallo you, sir!" roared the little General to John Perkins, who was
passing by. John turned round and faced him.
"You were dancing with my niece just now--show us your skill now,
and dance with one of my daughters. Stand up, Miss Henrietta
Gorgon--Mr. What's-your-name?"
"My name," said John, with marked and majestic emphasis, "is
PERKINS." And he looked towards Lucy, who dared not look again.
"Miss Gorgon--Mr. Perkins. There, now go and dance."
"Mr. Perkins regrets, madam," said John, making a bow to Miss
Henrietta, "that he is not able to dance this evening. I am this moment
obliged to look to the supper; but you will find, no doubt, some other
PERSON who will have much pleasure."
"Go to -----, sir!" screamed the General, starting up, and shaking his
cane.
"Calm yourself, dearest George," said Lady Gorgon, clinging fondly to
him. Fitch twiddled his moustaches. Miss Henrietta Gorgon stared with
open mouth. The silks of the surrounding dowagers rustled--the

countenances of all looked grave.
"I will follow you, sir, wherever you please; and you may hear of