Charlie Rokeby, recently having become Lord Ashfordly and his new bride Mary and his best Man, The Hon James Flemming, have perforce to repair from Ashfordly Hall to the Metropolis to foil duplicity and deceit of his late uncle's Agent Bradbury.
They walk and run to Catesby station to catch the midnight Luggage train, to outwit their oppressors.
The Master of the Catesby Railway Station was surprised at such a late visitation but after some reluctance agreed a covered truck might indeed be added to the train for a small fee to the Railway, and a small personal consideration for himself, and presently the mighty express engine "Florence" clattered among the platforms. The army of servants descended, wagons taken wagons added, the mighty shunting horse "Goliah" slipping and snorting and soon all was done, and clutching a bill of loading for their wagon which listed three persons, our trio set sail for the metropolis.
"I own tis a queer thing to have a mighty engine nameth Florence." Rokeby laughed.
"Hath she sisters Bessie and Maureen" Joked Flemming.
"No they are the Paris the Venice and the Moscow and such like, all named after cities." corrected Mary,
They flew through many a station, wagon rocking and lurching so that they may not so much as stand up yet the excitement was profound, and despite all sooner than expected the multiplicity of lights denoting the metropolis was all around and they stopped at a station.
"Let us alight, I know well this place." Rokeby called and the trio descended to the deserted platform, the entire place office and waiting room all deserted, Rokeby helped Mary over the locked gate and they set forth.
"We shall repair to Lord Muncaster's abode, see there beyond the Hotel." Announced Rokeby.
Rokeby knocked, Braunstein the butler answered, "Ah Mr Rokeby sir, the master is abroad sir, but like as not will return with the dawn."
"A carriage Braunstein, we are in need."
"And no funds I wager?"
"You know us of old, but Funds we hath, carriage we hath not."
"For tuppence the child under footman shall be roused and seek a Hackney for thee,"
"A bargain, Tuppence to go and a further tuppence if a Carriage he return with."
Braunstein departed and a great wail rent the cloistered stillness of the grand abode and the child emerged buttoning his breeches as he ran to find the conveyance. The conveyance was delivered, not of the front rank, but possessed of wheels and horse, and driver it seemed a bargain. Rokeby handed the child four pennies gladly and aboard they climbed.
"Mr Claridge's Inn coachman, if you please."
Our trio paid their dues and repaired to the foyer of the Inn, an aged and painted lady attended upon them.
"A double and a single room if you please, Madam" Rokeby asked politely enough.
"A room for rabble such as you, get thee hence before I call the Militia." She replied.
"But I am Lord Ashfordly"
"And I the very Archbishop of Finsbury, get thee hence."
They left, "well that is a turn" James was amused, to where should we repair?"
"Ordinarily Madame Raymonde's would suit us well but tis a Bordello."
"Then what say you we ask for a room only my Lord, I have a great need of thee" Mary asked eagerly.
"We could but ask old man" suggested James
"And you?" Rokeby queried.
"I shall ask for company."
"Then use a skin, pray, sweet Agnes deserves not the very clap."
"Yes of course, Raymonde's hath the finest skin from the finest intestine made."
The Bordello was but a minute or two hence.
Customers, some waited for company, and some for sobriety such as to face the cold of Morning.
A aged whore waited upon them "Madame might my friend avail himself of a concubine, whilst for myself I seek a room that I may use my own whore."
"Tis irregular sir, yet for a Guinea you may hire a room and indeed take a break fast."
"And my friend, how much a concubine for his pleasure"
"He may choose, the newest girls are now sleeping yet he may choose from the sitting room, and pay but three shillings till noon."
"And you sweet lady" James smiled his smile, The hag swooned, "Perhaps two shillings sir?"
"Capital, now three days shall I require for a room so here four guineas and I shall expect my whore fed and watered and except for me unmolested, is that understood?
"I must ask my mistress," she said and disappeared.
Mme Raymonde herself appeared, her fine features the equal of any, yet no paint nor powder could disguise he pallor of her skin, and the years had set her mounds towards the belly than the shoulders, yet presence she still retain in great measure. "Ah Charlie, why bring your own whore, why not mine."
"Tis an experiment in fidelity, I wish to know if but one strumpet canst satisfy me."
"Charlie you are such a fool but yes, a Guinea a day and two shillings for food it is agreed"
"Eight O'clock James" ordered Charlie and they each repaired to their chambers.
That chamber allocated at once to the Mary and Charlie stank of the cheap scent and of sweat and of spent seed yet for all that were pleasant enough, the bed sheets were fresh and the bed soft, and verily in seconds she were disrobed and abed and soon so too Rokeby and they resumed their passion. "Oh I missed you so, my very loins cry out for thee." Mary cried.
