The Bedford-Row Conspiracy

. As for Doughty Street, with our means, a house is out of the question. We must k

John: "Paradise Row, No. 17,-garden-greenhouse-fi

k cabs? My darling, I should die there-die of fright, I know I should. Did you not say yourself that the road was not as

en in a joke. If I objected to the chambers, it is only because you, my love, with your birth and connections, ought to have a house of your own. The chambers are quite large enough and certainly quite good enough

of a baronet, cousin to Lord X--, and related to the Y-- family, had angered all his relatives by marrying a very silly pretty young woman, who kept a ladies'-school at Canterbury. She had six hundred pounds to her fortune, which the Captain laid out in the purchase of a sweet tra

on; and the younger managed to live with some comfort and decency at Brussels, upon two hundred and ten pounds per annum. Mrs. Gorgon never touched a shilling of her capital, for the very

h for six months after her arrival in England. Now, for a second time, she had come to Mrs. Biggs, Caroline Place, Mecklenburgh Square

et us pass for a moment from that young lady, and lift up the ve

ss, was not Lucy likewise an only child? Perkins was twenty-three: his age and Lucy's united, amounted to forty-six; and it was to be remarked, as a fact still more extraordinary, that while Lucy's relatives were AUNTS, John's were UNCLES. Mysterious spirit of love! let us treat thee with respect and whisper not too many of thy secrets. The fact is, John and Lucy were a pair of fools (as every young couple OUGHT to be who have hearts th

st. When his father, Doctor Perkins, died, this, his only son, was placed under the care of John Perkins, Esquire, of the house of Perkins, Scully, and Perkins

ldborough, among the young merchants and lawyers'-clerks-to blow the flute nicely, and play a good game at billiards-to have written one or two smart things in the Oldborough Sentinel-to be fond of smoking (in which act he was discovered by his fainting aunt at three o'clock one morning)-in one word, when John Perkins arrived at manhood, he discovered that he was quite unfit to be an attorney, that he detested all the ways of his uncle's stern, dull, vulgar, regular, red-hea

it must be said, that as John's uncle's partner was the Liberal memb

n, lived at the paternal mansion of Gorgon Castle, and re

daughter and heiress of Mr. Hicks, the great brewer at Oldborough, who held numerous mortgages on the Go

ature, and though not at her full growth, yet remarkable for strength and sinew; at forty-five she was as fine a woman as any in His Majesty's dominions. Five feet seven in height, thirteen stone, her own teeth and hair, she looked as if she were the mother of a regiment of Gren

ok must have remarked; for frolic love delights to join giants and pigmies of different sexes in the bonds of matrimony. When you saw her Ladyship in flame-coloured satin and gorgeous toque and feathers, entering the drawing-room, as footmen along th

sounded at breakfast, and dinner: a gun announced sunset. He clung to his pigtail for many years after the army had forsaken that ornament, and could never be brought to think much of the Peninsular men for giving it up. When he spoke of the Duke, he used to call him "MY LORD WELLINGTON-I RECOLLECT HIM AS CAPTAIN WELLESLEY." He swore fearfully in conversation, was most regular at

I never knew a man so endowed whose way through life was not safe-who had fewer pangs of conscience-more posit

eemed to show that matters had gone very far. Be this as it may, no sooner did the General (Major Gorgon he was then) cast an eye on her, than Scully's five years' fabric of love was instantly dashed to the ground. She cut him pitilessly, cut Sally Scully, his sister, her dearest friend and confidante, and bestowed

d, I say, the church, adopted the conventicle, and became one of the most zealous and eloquent supporters that Freedom has known in our time. Scully, of the house of Scully and Perkins, was a dangerous enemy. In five years from that marriage, which snatched from the jilted solicitor his heart's young affections, Sir George Gorgon found tha

he pelted Mayor and Corporation. The very next Sunday, Scully was reconciled to the church (or attended it in the morning, and the meeting twice in the afternoon), and as Doctor Snorter uttered the prayer for the High Court of Parliament, his eye, the eye of his whol

he Squaretoes congregation. In fact, to tell the truth, this subject had been debated between the partners, who saw the advantage of courting both the Establishment an

of horses for which our beloved country has ever been famous, could attend no such sports as these, which but too often degenerated into vice." It was voted a shabby excuse. Lady Gorgon was radiant in her barouche and four, and gladly became the patroness of the ball that was to ensue;

ed representative, William P

COMMONS: J

ents on the festival of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th instant. If I, however, cannot allow my name to appear among your list of stewards, ONE at least of the representatives of Oldborough has no such scruples. Sir George Gorgon is among you: and though I differ from th

ommon-drainage and inclosure bill comes on to-morrow, and I shall be AT MY POST. I am sure, if Sir George Gorgon were here, he and I shou

ers in the joy of their expanding loveliness, our matrons in the exquisite contemplation of their children's bliss-can you, can I, can Whig or Tory, can any Briton be indifferent to a scene like this, or refuse t

bucks and a turtle, which come herewith. My worthy colleague, who was so liberal last year of his soup to the poor, will not, I t

ar Heeltap,

ITT S

Y PRIVATE. Say that the venison, etc.

Heeltap, who said, bluntly, in a preface, "that he saw no reason why Mr. Scully should be asha

dy Gorgon, on the reading of this letter, was struck completely dumb; Sir George Gorgon was wild. Ten dozen of champagne was he

his niece, Lucy Gorgon, in white muslin; his son, George Augustus Frederick Grimsby Gorgon, in a blue velvet jacket, sugar

e, M.P., and his staff. Mr. Scully had a brand-new blue coat and brass buttons, buff

ugh looms, these buttons were cast in an Oldborough manufactory, these shoes were made by an Old

ne of Scully's aides-de-camp, in a fit of generous enthusiasm, leaped on a

had dined with the Member at his inn, and accompanied him thence to the "Gorgon Arms," lifted their de

"Thank you, Jack! THANK you, my boy! THANK you," in a way which made Perkins think that his supreme cup of bliss was quaffed; that he had but t

General Gorgon, sumptuous Lady Gorgon, the daughters and niece Gorgons, were standing surrounded by

h, of the Dragoons, to Miss Lucy, confidentially. "And

-drunk, by --!" said th

was at that very moment thinking of the syllabubs). "Is it that ti

ss, "have you forgotten him? Wh

ch. "I wish we had him in our twoop-he'th thix

rep

e Gorgons in a breath, "see, one creatu

ry good-looking,"

s, when, at that instant, John Perkins's shout taking effect, Master George Augustus Fre

ully for ever! Hurra-a-a-ay!" and fell

ill and coat-collar, carried him away to his nurse, who, with many other maids

ented herself generally with merely despising her neighbours; but oh! what a fine active hatred raged in her bosom for victorious Scully! At this momen

y; he was still holding the hand of Perkins. A

what,

gain the tender solicitor. "I WILL go. S

ave the King" ceased, and "Sir Roger de Coverley" began. The rival forces eyed each other; Mr. Scu

out Lady Gorgon, with a dreadful intui

oundrel is carrying it all his own way! -- him! and -- him! and -- him!" (All of w

gon, but could say no mor

t on the present occasion-your Ladyship-unaccustomed as I am-pooh, psha-WILL your Ladyship giv

by the same mighty emotion. The river of diamonds which flowed round her Ladyship's neck, seemed to swell and to shine more than ever. The tall plumes on her ambrosial h

d of the country-dance. John Perkins-who I presume had been drinking pretty freely, so as to have forgotten his ordinary bashfulness-looked at the three

Tory voters' wives to the dance. The daughters of Reform accepted the hands of the sons of Conservatism. The reconciliation of the Romans and Sabines was not more touching t

the thirty-nine couples had dropped panting away, and till the youngest Miss Gorgon, coming up to his partner, said in a loud hissing scornful whisper, "Lucy, Mamma thinks you have danced quite enough with this-this person." And Lucy, blushing, starting back, and looking at Perkins in a very melancholy wa

ndmaidens of the "Gorgon Arms," wiping his brows, gnawing his fingers-his ears looming over his stiff whi

!" roared the ex-fol

but what's th

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 o

yes, 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 corre

you are

ch, call my people.-Henrietta, bring Miss Lucy from that linendrape

m: 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-fift

d, and requested to point out some eligible partners for the young ladies. One went off with a Whig auction

eneral to John Perkins, who was passi

ur skill now, and dance with one of my daughters. S

estic emphasis, "is PERKINS." And he look

Perkins. There, n

e is not able to dance this evening. I am this moment obliged to look to the sup

d the General, starting

ch twiddled his moustaches. Miss Henrietta Gorgon stared with open mouth. The

Mr. Perkins, bowing and retiring. He heard little Lucy sobbing in a corner. He was lost at onc

ed to Jack Perkins's wrath; he had hoped to have seen Miss Lucy once more. He was a steward, and, in the General's teeth, would have done his duty. He was thinking how he would have hel

stantial dishes; and the Mayor's wife became from that day forth a mortal enemy of the Gorgons: for, sitting near her Ladyship, who refused the proffered soup and meat, the Mayoress thought herself oblige

and here goes!" wherewith he plunged his spoon into the savoury mess. The Mayoress, as we

il it was produced; the men, too, despised the bucellas and sherry, and were looking continually towards the door. At last, Mr. Rincer, the landlord, Mr. Hock, Sir George's butler, and sundry others entered the room. Bang! went the corks-fizz the foamy liquor sparkled into all sorts of glasses that were held out for its reception. Mr. Hock helped Sir George and his party, who drank with great gusto; the wine which was administered to the persons immediately around Mr. Scully was like

(the rogue, where did his impudence come f

es looking aghast. "Silence, sit down you!"

rthy friend I know is going to propose the ladies; let us at any rate drink such a toast in good wine." ("Hea

nites-the shrieks, jeers, cheers, ironic cries of "Swipes!" etc., wh

dy Gorgon, rising; and Mrs. Mayoress

r respective ladies, followed her: they were plainly beaten from the field. Such of th

mpagne to our real-hic-friends,' no, 'Real champagne to our friends,' and-h

onsiderable place-that the inhabitants thereof were chiefly tradespeople, not of refined habits-that Mr. Scully himself had only for three months mingled among the aristocracy-that his young friend Perkins was viol

uperintend his legal business: his London agents, Messrs. Higgs, Biggs, and Blatherwick, occupying the ground floor; the junior partner, Mr. Gustavus Blatherwick, the second flat of the house. Scully made no secret

f this history were, and how they conducted themselves in the country, let us

ngaged evenings at her lodgings in Caroline Place. Mrs. Biggs was perfectly aware that the young gentleman did not come for her bohea and muffins, so much as for the sweeter conversation of her niece, Miss Gorgon; but seeing that these two young people were of an age when ideas of love and marriage will spring up, do what you will; seeing that her niece

ecklenburgh Square being much too preposterous for a person of my Lady Gorgon's breeding and fashion. She did not, therefore, know of the progress which sly Perkins was making all this while

ving accompanied Aunt Biggs to church, they had pursued their walk as far as that rendezvous of lovers, the Regent's Park,

h surrounds their den. Mr. Perkins was below; and Miss Lucy, having distributed her buns, was on the point of following,-but whether from timidit

" said she, "I ne

y's waist; and as one of hers gently fell upon hi

w j

clever was Mr. John Perkins, that he jumped Miss

Gor

sses G

gustus Frederick

all been for two or three minutes listening to the