The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

98 THE MYSTERIES OF RONDON. “ Would. you have me wed where my heart is not fixed?” demanded Charles, warmly. “I laboured under a delusion: I fancied that I loved Lady Frances 4s one whom J should wish te make my wife—but I now find that it was only with the affection of a brother or of a very sincere friend that I in reality regarded her! Yesterday morning you, my dear father, entered my chamber, at 2 moment when the confusion of ideas caused by unpleasant dreams was scarcely dissi- pated;—you urged me to confess an attachment to Lady Frances—to seek her hand ;—and Tobeyed you: But I’ acted under an impulse for which I could not account;— I yielded to some unknown influence which I could not resist, And yet it was not love, my dear parents ;—no— it was not love! In making Lady Frances my wife, I should only ensure the unhappiness of an excellent—a beautifal—an accomplished girl——” “You admit all her admirable qualities, Charles,” interrupted his mother; “and yet you refuse to avail yourself of an opportunity to secure so precious a prize—to link your fortunes with one who is certain to make the best of wives!” “Jt is truly incomprehensible!” exclaimed Mr. Hatfield, whose knowledge of the world and Jarge ex- perience of the human heart convinced him that there was something more at the bottom of his son’s conduct than the alleged reasons for so abruptly breaking off a match that, he thought, must appear in every way so cligible and advantageous to the young man. ‘My dear parents, this scene is most painful to us all,” said Charles, who, glancing rapidly at the time- piece upon the mantel, saw that the hour was ap- proaching for him to visit Perdita. His father, observing that impatient look cast towards the clock, instantly comprehended that his son had some appointment to keep; and connecting this discovery with the strangeness of his conduct in respect to Lady Frances, it flashed to his mind in a moment that the young man had formed some attach- ment elsewhere. “Charles,” he accordingly said, turning abruptly towards his son and Jooking him full in the face, © you love another? ” The young man became red as scarlet, and stam- mered out a few unintelligible words, which his father soon cut short. “Now wo have discovered the truth! But surely you have formed no unworthy attachment ?—surely you cannot love one whom you are ashamed toname?” cried Mr. Hatfield. “Speak, Charles—speak! Answer your father!” said Lady Georgiana, in an imploring tone, as she per- ceived her son turn away towards the mantel. For rebellious thoughts again rose in the mind of the young man;—and he felt hurt and vexed that his conduct should thus be questioned by parents who never had acknowledged him as their son until the necessity was foreed upon them by his accidental dis- covery of the secret of his birth, and who now kept him out of what he conccived to be his just rights. Moreover, was he not twenty-five years old?—and was that an age at which he should thus be tutored and treated like achild? Lastly, it was verging fast upon twelve; and had lie not assured his Perdita that he would not be a minute later than mid-day ? “Charles, why do you not answer me?” asked Mr. Hfatfield, approaching him: “wherefore do you treat your parents with contempt? ” “ Wherefore did my parents treat me with such un- uotural neglect as to bring me up as their nephew? ” rt ere eee eee SS ee ee demanded the young man, turning abruptly—almost savagely round upon his father. “Wherefore do they now pass me off to the world in that latter capacity ?”’ he cried, becoming fearfully excited. Lady Georgiana uttered a faint scream, covered her face with her hands, and fell back in her chair sobbing bitterly, “You speak of unnatural conduct!” cried Mr. Hatfield, growing excited in histurn, “Tell me at once, Charles—do you mean to throw off all allegiance to your parents? If so—romember that it is in our power to deprive you of the immense fortune which is otherwise destined for you——~” “Ah! menaces!” ejaculated the young man: and darting upon his father a look of mingled reeret and anger—of united sorrow and indignation,-~a look so strange, s0 ominous that Mr. Hatfield started with horror,—he rushed from the room. “Stay! stay!” cried Lady Georgiana, springing towards the door. But her son heeded her not: he obeyed not her voice ;—-and the unhappy mother sank upon the floor, gasping for utterance, and fecling asif her heart yould break with the wretched sensations that filled her bosom, Mr. [Intfield hastened to raise his wife~to place her in a chair—and to breathe words of consolation in her ears. When she was somewhat recovered, sho clasped her hands convulsively together; and, looking up appeal- ingly into his face, said, “Is this a reality? or is it a dream?” “ Alas! it is a terriblo reality,’ responded Mr. Fat- field, in a tone of mingled bitterness and sorrow. “And what can it all mean?” asked Lady Georg- lana, wildly: for she was bewildered by the strange- ness of her son's conduct—amazed by the sudden altcration of his manner from respect to insolent indifference towards his parents. “Weaven alone can solye that question for us at present,” returned her husband. “ Can it be that he has learnt any thing—that he suspects aught of the past? No—no: that is impossible! But ever since the discovery of his real parentage, he has been altered ; —sometimes moody and thoughtful—at others petu- Innt and hasty,—now unuaturally gay and excited— then deeply depressed and melancholy,—but never unruly and overbearing, disobedient and rebellious, as he has shown himself this forenoon.” “Tis easy to perceive, I fear, that he is troubled by the mystery which induced us to conceal his position with regard to us,” said Lady Georgiana; —“ and likewise—yes, likewise,” she added hesitatingly, “ the circumstance that he still passes as our nephew weighs upon his mind!” “Oh! this is a terrible retribution for my sins !—an awful punishment for the foul misdeeds of my earlier years!” exclaimed Mr. Hatfield, wringing his hands bitterly. “ My dear husband,” said Lady Georgiann, whose turn it now was to console; “give not way tats to your sorrow! Let us hope that he will repent of this strange unruliness of conduct-——” “Alast I have sad forebodings of evil!” cried the unhappy man. “I fear that he has formed som un- worthy connexion, Georgiana: but Iet us dissemble our sorrow—let us not afflict the Earl and the amiable Esther by giving them any account of the occurrences of this day.” “And yet what can we say respecting the unran EConnicloooks (SO)