a shining bald forehead, from which his lightly-powderedhair was completely drawn off, and fastened behind in a pigtail. Theexpression of his countenance was bland, with an apparently candidmanner, a smile showing his fine white teeth; and an air of nonchalance,though rather evidently the result of artificial politeness than ofnatural courtesy or good breeding. He bowed with a flourish of his hatto Lady Tryon, and gave a familiar nod to the young gentleman as he sankback in the seat placed for him by the servant. Lady Tryon had had someprevious transactions with Mr. Flockton, who was the great lotterycontractor. It was part of his business to know everybody, as well astheir private concerns, in all parts of the United Kingdom. Many wasthe lady of rank, a merchant's or a shopkeeper's wife in London, withwhom Mr. Flockton had managed to scrape acquaintance, but his chiefconstituents were among the great masses of society that underlie thenoble and the wealthy. His baits and nets lay ready for fish of thesmallest size, also, many who could with difficulty raise the sum of 1pound 11 shillings 6 pence, whereby a sixteenth share of the 20,000pound prize might by two lucky turns of the wheel of fortune be gained.He caught others by half and even whole tickets at various prices. Incountry inns Mr. Flockton's advertisements were found fastened up amongthe political ballads on the walls of the public rooms. They were oftencirculated by the same book-hawkers who supplied the vast numbers oftracts and verses then published on "The rights of man," and "Liberty,Equality, and Fraternity," advocated by the French Revolutionists andthe English Jacobins. In every manufacturing town and district theycame round with parcels of goods and patterns, and were eagerly read byworkpeople and masters alike. They circulated in the servants' halls,even before they were read in the oak parlours and cedar galleries ofthe granges and lordly castles of the land, and many a poor clergymandreamed of education for his boys and portions for his girls from theresult of a lottery ticket.
"I have called, your ladyship, to bring the ten lottery tickets youdesired to possess. A cheque on your bankers will pay me for them, andit is my belief that you will find that one of them brings you the greatprize. Perhaps this young gentleman would like to take two or three, amere trifle will give him every prospect of a large sum, and should yourladyship miss it, he would have a greater chance of gaining the prize.What does your ladyship say? Surely you have balance at your bankers'sufficient to buy fifty tickets, and, in my opinion, the wisest peoplewill buy the most; the more bought, the greater the chance of success."
Lady Tryon was for a moment silent. She recollected too well that onthe previous night she had not only lost every shilling which she had ather bankers', but a considerable sum above it; not only that, but shehad raised large sums at different times of late, which if she paid theprincipal would absorb the whole of her property. Should she pay herdebts of honour, or buy the lottery tickets? Mr. Flockton's confidentand glowing descriptions decided her on the latter course. When she gotthe lottery prize she would satisfy the debts she had incurred at cards.She took the tickets Mr. Flockton offered, giving him a cheque, whichleft her scarcely more that 50 pounds at her bankers'. Her greatestannoyance arose from her thus being unable to indulge in gambling tillthe day for drawing the lottery. Mr. Flockton handing the tickets toher ladyship, and buttoning up the cheque, took his departure.
Scarcely had he gone, when a servant entered with an announcement that aperson of a very suspicious appearance desired to see her ladyship. "Itold him, my lady, that you were engaged, but he would take no denial."
Lady Tryon, who was constitutionally brave, having Harry by her side,desired that the man might be shown up. He entered the room with aconfident air, though perfectly respectful, and presented anofficial-looking document.
"Why, it's to summon me to Bow Street police-office for gambling!"exclaimed Lady Tryon. "What is this? Are ladies and gentlemen not tobe allowed to amuse themselves if they think fit?"
"I have nothing to do with that, my lady," answered the man, "I havedelivered the summons; this young gentleman and your servant are witnessto that; the hour is mentioned on the paper. I've done my duty, I wishyour ladyship good-morning."
"Fearful impertinence!" exclaimed Lady Tryon. "What is the countrycoming to? Ladies of rank to be treated like criminals, and orderedabout at the pleasure of police magistrates!"
Harry was naturally considerably annoyed, at the same time he could notforget the scene of the previous evening, and he had heard that somevery just enactments had lately been passed to put a stop to gambling,both public and private.
"I will go instead of you," he said, "if that will answer."
"No, I must go myself," she said, looking at the paper through herspectacles. "Fearful _impertinence_ of these people! Horribleindignity to be subjected to!"
At the time appointed Lady Tryon drove up to the police-office. Severalcarriages were already there, their occupants fashionably-dressedladies. Lady Tryon recognised them as her acquaintances, with whom shehad played at Lady Buckinghamshire's. The gentleman who had acted as_croupier_, and kept the faro-table, was among them. They enteredtogether, looking very hot and very indignant; they were accommodatedwith seats while the evidence was read. The witnesses against them weretwo servants, who had been dismissed from her ladyship's service, andhad taken these means to revenge themselves. As these ladies of rankhad no excuse to offer, and could not deny the charge, they were eachfined 50 pounds, while the keeper of the table, a gentleman of fashion,had to pay 200 pounds as a punishment for his transgression of the law.
Lady Tryon drove back in even a worse temper than usual. The 50 poundsshe was to pay was the remainder of the balance at her banker's. Shewas now literally penniless unless her lottery tickets should turn upprizes. The eventful day of the drawing was looked forward to, not onlyby her, but by thousands more, with intense anxiety. At length itarrived. Harry set forth with his grandmother in her carriage. Theevening before she had sent for the doctor, and procured a quietingpotion. In truth she required it, for she looked very ill and excited.Harry saw her maid, by her directions, put into the pocket of thecarriage two or three small bottles.
"They are little draughts which I may require, Harry, to keep me up. Iam an old woman, you know, and my nerves are not as strong as they usedto be."
They drove on. The crowd increased as they proceeded westward, towardsGuildhall. The great drawing was to take place there.
"We are certain, Harry, to obtain a prize; if not the 20,000 poundprize, a smaller one, at all events, and that will enable me to purchasea few more tickets for another lottery, or to set me up at thecard-table again. If I get the 20,000 pound prize you shall have 1,000pounds, I will promise you, to cut a figure with in town, and then to godown and marry pretty Mabel Everard. Ah, Harry! you are a fortunatefellow to have such a kind old grandmother as I am, and to be loved bysuch a sweet girl as Mabel. I know your secret; she loves you, yourogue, and you have only to ask her, and she will marry you at once. Ican manage her father; he is a good-natured, easy man, and has a greatrespect for me."
Thus Lady Tryon ran on; but she could not long keep her thoughts fromthe hope of the prize. As they passed by Saint Paul's they found adense crowd: every moment it increased. Besides a long string ofcarriages there were numberless people on foot: not only those whopossessed tickets, and those who had ensured them, but the friends ofthe holders, and also many idlers who came to see the drawing, and not afew who were there to prey on the unwary, and pick their pocketsliterally and metaphorically. As much time would have been lost had thecarriage attempted to reach Guildhall, Lady Tryon alighted in Cheapside,and leaning on the arm of her grandson, walked with eager steps towardsthe renowned hall. Harry felt her arm tremble as she hung heavily onhis; but not a word did she utter. All her thoughts and feelings wereabsorbed in the prospect of the prize she hoped to obtain. Had he knownmore than he did, he would have understood how much hung upon it.
CHAPTER TEN.
PRIZE OR BLANK?
As they entered at the farther end of the
vast hall, where civic _fetes_and feasts were wont to take place, and the huge figures of Gog andMagog looked forth from their pedestals, it was already crowded. Oneither side were low galleries; one devoted to ladies, the other togentlemen, while the centre was filled with a mixed multitude of everydegree, among whom it was very evident that the pickpockets were alreadybusy. All were looking up towards the farther end, where a large stagewas erected. In the centre was a table, at which sat several gravepersonages--the commissioners of the lottery; while on either side weretwo large circular cases or wheels, in front of each of which stood aBluecoat boy, from Christ's Hospital, with the sleeves of their coatsturned up. In front of the table were several clerks engaged in notingthe proceedings of the day. At either end of the table stood a man, whowith a loud
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