The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 108: what you’re looking at

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

Me na THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. [ ' ee ee, Fi rhavdinge, “ your lordship will have to steel your 101 embarrassed, and seeing difficulties most unexpectedly Peart against a father’s prayers—a mother’s tears: | start up. von will have to contend against the entreatics of sear uncle. the Earl—and of his handsome Jewish nif',—ave—and the beseechings of their daughter to+:—for I understand that your lordship has a beauti- ful cousin y “Oh! how many hearts may I not have to break in piling up the fabric of my ambition!” exclaimed Charles Hatfield, his heart once more smiting him eeverely,—or rather with an anguish that was in- tolerable. “‘Yes—those are the considerations which lie before your lordship,” resumed Mrs. Fitzhardinge. “But you must also reflect, my Jord, upon the immense interests you have at stake. Is it better to remain simple Charles Hatfield all your life—or-——” “You need not finish the question, madam,” said the young man, suddenly interrupting the infamous old harridan, and now speaking in a cold tone of des- perate resolution. ‘I must persevere: my destiny is fixed—and even if hearts break in the struggle, I will not shrink from the contest that is to give me my just rights! But Jet us talk no more of this for the present. charming daughter-——” “You have now, my lord, turned the conversation on the second subject which required discussion be- teen us,” interrupted Mrs. Fitzhardinge. “ Perdita has confessed to me all that lias taken place between herself and your lordship——” “And you are doubtless offended!” exclaimed Charles Hatfield, observing that the old lady’s countenance had again become very serious. «No, my lord—I am not precisely angry,” she re- turned; “but I tremble to approach a topic which involves so many difficulties.” ‘Ah! madam—with your strong mind, all diffi- culties are surmountable,” said Charles: “and you have only to stipulate, in order that I shall assent to every thing that you may propose.” ‘In the first place,” resumed the wily woman, “ you are aware of the strange—fanciful—and, I must say, unfortunate notions which my daughter has imbibed relativeto marriage; and your lordship must be aware that—supposing your mutual passion be allowed to take its course unrestrained—the world will regard her only as your lordship’s mistress!” “Madam—I would cheerfully conduct her to the altar——” “Whither she will not go,” added the old woman, emphatically. ‘“ No—my lord, it is useless to reason with that strong-headed, obstinate girl on the subject. Admitting, then, that I~—her mother—placing her happiness above conventional opinions, and entertain- ing implicit faith in your honour and integrity,—ad- mitting, I say, that I consent to tue union of hearts proposed in this case,—waiving the ceremony of the union of hands,—can you, my lord, undertake to ensure my daughter against the contingencies of poverty?” “ Situated as I now am, the means at my disposal are limited indeed,” said Charles Hatfield: “but the moment my rights are proclaimed and recognised -——” “Then, at the same instant, the family estates, at present held by the Earl of Ellingham, will pass into the hands of your father—and you still remain totally dependant upon him until his death,” said Mrs. Fitzhardinge, embracing at a glance the whole range of contingencies. “True!” cried Charles, suddenly becoming much May I be permitted to enquire after your; & “ But,’ resumed Mrs. Fitzhardinge, after a few minutes’ pause, and laying strong emphasis upon the monosyllable,—“ but, my Jord, even should you imme- diately quarrel with your father by compelling him to wrest the titles and estates from the hands of his younger brother who now holds them, there are ways and means for your lordship to raise money—those es- tates becoming inalicnably your’s in the perspective.” “ Yes—I understand—there is that alternative! exclaimed Charles. “But my father would not dis- card me altofether—he would not deprive me of the means of support during his life-time——” “You know not, my lord, what may be the results of the family convulsion—the domestic revolution— which your contemplated proceedings will bring about. Pardon me, my dear Viscount, if I thus dwell upon matters so purely worldly ;—but remember that I my- self am now placed in a cruel position by the total wreck of the brilliant hopes which my claims in Chancery so recently held out ;—and unless I succeed in raising a few thousand pounds within a weck, I shall positively be menaced with imprisonment in a debtors’ aol.” “ Merciful heaven!” cried Charles Hatfield: “ how can I possibly assist you?” “You will not think me mercenary, my lord——” “Qh! no—no, my dear madam!” he exclaimed impatiently. “Tell me if there be a means of raising the amount you require; and my readiness to adopt those means must be received by you as a proof of my anxiety to render myself worthy of Perdita’s love and your esteem.” “Generous nobleman!” cried Mrs. Iitzhardinge, pretending: to be affected by the scene: “my daughter will indeed be happy in the possession of your heart! Listen, my lord,” she continued; “and our interview may soon be brought to a close—for I know that you are as anxious to see a certain person as she is dying to behold you, Your lordship ere now alluded to par- ticular papers which prove the legitimate birth, rights, and identity of your father :—by means of those papers, and on your lordship signing a document, I can under- take to procure as large a sum of money as may be required cither by my necessities or for your own present wants.” “This evening, my dear madam, I will place the papers in your hands,” said Charles, who was anxious to terminate this interview as speedily as possible for his impatience to behold Perdita began to exceed his powers of endurance. “ At eight o’clock this evening I shall expect your lordship,” observed Mrs. Fitzhardinge: and, with these words, she quitted the apartment. Charles Hatfield approached the mirror—arrange his hair in the most becoming manner—an snatched a last satisfactory glance at thefre ection of his handsome countenance, when the ddér,ppetfed and ‘ G Perdita entered the room. vow. CHAPTER CXXXYVI. ST md Pervsta was dressed in a more modest and, to ape2k truly, in a more delicate manner than on either of tae former occasions when Charles had seen her. A fumti INFATUATION. —— oe ad judy | | (C(O) (C DOO SS (SO)