Angelina: Or, The Mystery of St. Mark's Abbey — page 218: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MYSTERY OF ST. MARK’S ARBEY. 205 *¢ Has he nut robbed me of my alece 2?” said Mr. Woodfield, in accents of the most powerful emotion; “ if [ am wrong, where is he, that he may answer for, asd eadeavour to exculpate himself ?” ‘© Angelina gone ‘” ejaculated Kate, in evident surprise ; ‘‘ is it possible P”’ ** Angelina Jas disappeared in a most mysterious manner from the house of Sfce. Montmoreney, in whose charge I left ber,” returned. Mr. Woodfield, ‘“‘and, from circumstances that have come to my knowledge, I have but too geod reason to suspect that Hugh Clifford is the man who has been guilty of this crime !”” Kate of the Ruins seemed to be much agitated for two or three moments, aod appeared to ruminate upon what Mr. Woodfield had said. ‘¢Can it be possible?” she at length said, *‘can he have been sv rash,—so misguided ?—But, no, [ will not believe it; there must be some mistake. Mr. Woodfield, I can excuse your expretstgns uider the circumstances that have drawn them forth; but, depend upon it, Your suspicions are wrong. True it is that Hugh Clifford by some means or the other, which I am not at present acquainted with, contrived to become acquainted that Angelina was at Scar- boruvugh, and, doubtless, urged on by the vivlence of his love fur the maiden, which in one so young aud so ardent, it is not easy to subdue, he went thither for the purpose of seeking an interview with her; but,-as to anythisg else £ am certain he would be incapable of committing. Had he by persuasion have been able to prevail upon her to become his wife, he, doubtless, would have done so; but if she refused him, I am confident he loves her too fondly, and has too great a friendship and esteem for you, to seek to force her compliance with his wishes. The men whe have just now returned, informed me that having put the captain ashore at Scarborough, they waited for him according to his orders; but the time at which they expected him had long elapsed, and he did not return. In the meantime a storm arose and the vessel was torn away from her anchorage, and they were driven out to sea. The only cen- _ clusion 1 can come to is, that some accident has befallen him, or that he has fallen into the power of the Baron de Morton, and if my suspicivors should be verified we have everything to dread. Of this, however, rest assured, that # was notaware of Clifford’s designs, or I should have used all my exertions to have persuaded him from such a purpose, and to have frustrated him in any attempts he might make, ‘¢ Mrs. Woodfield did not make any immediate reply, and he remained buried in deep thought fur a short time ; but, at last, he said,— ‘¢ It is strange ; but still I cannot divest my mind of the suspicions thai have occurred to it; itis not at all probable, that Clifford would have undertaken a voyage of the description, fer the mere purpose of seeking an interview with Angelina. He must have had some further design in view. As for the retarn of his companions, that isa mere subterfuge, invented for the purpose of de- ceiving me.’’ ‘* By heaven ! Iam confident you wrong him !’? exclaimed Kate, vehemenily, ‘“‘and that you do me an injustice by surmising that I would attempt to de- ceive you, is equally certain; indeed, you cannot have the interest and welfare of Angelina more at heart than I have, and—”’ } ‘*Am I never to understand you, mysterious woman?’ interrupted Mr. GOMMGIOO 1(GO)