She has others to do justice to besides you."
To his surprise, Mr. Vane turned instantly round upon him, and, looking
him haughtily in the face, said: "Sir Charles Pomander, the settled
malignity with which you pursue that lady is unmanly and offensive to me,
who love her. Let our acquaintance cease here, if you please, or let her
be sacred from your venomous tongue."
Sir Charles bowed stiffly, and replied, that it was only due to himself
to withdraw a protection so little appreciated.
The two friends were in the very act of separating forever, when who
should run in but Pompey, the renegade. He darted up to Sir Charles, and
said: "Massa Pomannah she in a coach, going to 10, Hercules Buildings.
I'm in a hurry, Massa Pomannah."
"Where?" cried Pomander. "Say that again."
"10, Hercules Buildings, Lambeth. Me in a hurry, Massa Pomannah."
"Faithful child, there's a guinea for thee. Fly!"
The slave flew, and, taking a short cut, caught and fastened on to the
slow vehicle in the Strand.
"It is a house of rendezvous," said Sir Charles, half to himself, half to
Mr. Vane. He repeated in triumph: "It is a house of rendezvous." He then,
recovering his _sang-froid,_ and treating it all as a matter of course,
explained that at 10, Hercules Buildings, was a fashionable shop, with
entrances from two streets; that the best Indian scarfs and shawls were
sold there, and that ladies kept their carriages waiting an immense time
in the principal street, while they were supposed to be in the shop, or
the show-room.
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