The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

— PN tp SEY AY ee rep eee ee ee ee THLE BYSTERLES OF LONDON. hor sufficiently to permit the entire perusal of the letter. its contents ran thus:—‘ JI have discovered uour frailty, your guilt, your hypocrisy, just in time to save myself from an alliance which would have trovaht dishonour on my name, and heaped endless micerics on my head. J shall not attempt to reproach vou at any length for your conduct towards me: my generous conjidence hasbeen met by the blackest dupii- cttu—the most diabolical ingratitude ; and your con- scicnee will punish you more—oh ? far more severely than any words that Imay address to you. Neither shell I adopt the mean and petty revenge of exposing vows but if you ever dare to boast that you were once engaged to be married to the Marquis of Wilmina- ton, then shall I consider that it would hea sin to spare vou. “The letter dropped from Julta’s hand; and, with a wild shriek, she fell senseless on the floor. The housckeeper administered restoratives, while little Uarry, who was himself a prey to the liveliest grief he had ever yet known, hurried to fetch the surgeon. It was the same medical man who had attended upon Lady Caroline Jerningham; and he was prompt in repairing to a house where his former services had been so liberally rewarded. Julia had somewhat re- covered in the meantime; but he pronounced her to be in a dangerous state—and, indeed, she seemed quite unconscious of every thing that was passing around her. She was conveyed to her chamber,— medicine was prescribed,—and the surgeon recom- mended the housekeeper not to Jeave her mistress alone more than was absolutely necessary, inasmuch: as he feared that her brain was affected. Little Harry was inconsolable at his sister’s iliness—the more es- pecially that he reproached himself with baving been the cause of it all; though how he had done the harm he could not by any means understand. Seated by Julia’s bed-side, he fixed his tearful eyes on her pale countenance, as she slumbered uneasily; and when hours had passed, and evening came, and still she awoke not, lie was afraid that she was dead. The housekeeper, however, assured him to the contrary; and then he bent softly over his sister, to whom the surgeon had administered an opiate, and gently kissed herlips. She murmured a name—it was his ownname —and opened her eyes. Complete consciousness re- turned in a few minutes; and as she rapidly surveyed her misfortune ard calculated its extent, she shud- dered at the idea of even attempting to meet it with resignation. But for that little brother’s sake—the sake of him whom she had found bending over her, and whose name was the first that her lips breathed on her waking,—for Ais sake she nerved herself to wage war with the world once more. Thongh a word of explanation—the mere revelation of Lady Caro- line’s secret would at once restore her to that position 80 full of hope which she had occupied in the morn- ing,—still her generous heart would not allow her to betray her friend. No: she would sooner pine away and go down to an early grave, heart-broken and spirit-crushed, than proclaim to the Marquis the se- cret of his noble sister’s dishonour ! “Jfwas about seven o'clock in the evening of this dreadful day that a hasty and impatient double-knock at the front door was heard; and a few moments after- wards Lady Caroline Jerningham was ushered into the chamber where Julia was lying. The moment she 139 place. It appeared that the marquis had that after- noon written a letter to his sister, of which the follow- ing were the enigmatical contents: —‘J am almost heart-broken, my dearest Caroline, and cannot see you at present. I shall retire into the country for a few weeks—perhaps months—to hide my grief from every eye, and endeavour to regain somewhat of that mental composure which has been almost completely wrecked thisday. Julia ts unworthy of my love and of your friendship: what the proof of this may be, ask not—scek not to learn ;~—but I charge you to visit her no more. Your aflicted brother, &c.—On the receipt of this note, Lady Caroline, who could not help suspecting that this suddenly wrought change in the sentiments of the Marquis arose from some fearful misunderstanding or some partial discovery respecting the child, had hastened, almost distracted and a prey to intolerable suspense, to Julia’s abode; and there she was shocked to find her generous-hearted friend stretched upon a bed of sickness, Embracing each other affectionately, they gave mutual explanations; and Lady Caroline perceived that her worst fears were confirmed. ‘The Marquis had indeed made a discovery relative to the infant; but he was deceived with re- gard toits maternity. And now who can describe the admiration which Lady Caroline experienced for thc character of her friend, when she learnt that the poor girl would rather lie under the dread suspicion of the Marquis—rather resign all her brilliant prospects, and ree her heart's fondest affections blighted,—rather, in fact, resign herself to immolation than betray her whose secret she deemed so sacred ! “¢ No—no! exclaimed the fair patrician, throwing herself upon Julia’s bosom, and weeping plentcously ; ‘this may not be! Never can I permit you, noble- hearted girl, to endure infamy, reproach, and wretch- edness for my sake! I will at once follow my brother into the country, throw myself at his feet, confess all, and bring him back to you!’"—* And then what will become ofzvou, Caroline?’ asked Julia,mingling hertears with those of her friend.—‘ Oh! I shall retire from ee the world, and bury myself, with my innocent babe, in some solitude—in some far-off village, perhaps, where, under a feigned name, I may escape the world’s scorn for this fatal weakness which has caused so much misery !’—and, as she spoke, Lady Caroline’s voice in- dicated the most acute anguish of heart. ‘ Unless, she added, her tone suddenly becoming hoarse and hollow, and her manner unnaturally subdued,—‘ unless, indeed, my brother, in the first ebullition of his rage should stretch me dead at his fect; and that is the most probable result !’—* Then, dearest Caroline,’ ox claimed Julia, speaking in a tone of mingled alarm and earnest entreaty, ‘ for heaven’s sake renounce this mad project! Donot think of seeking your brother and thus exposing yourself to his rage, I owe youa deep, deep debt of gratitude; and now let me pay it by enduring that weight of suspicion against which I may haply bear up, but which would crush and over- whelm you. For never, never can I forget that when T appeared, full of terror and trembling, with the spoilt dress in your mother’s presence, your looks gave me encouragement, and your kind words reassured me. Then, when I was leaving your dwelling without the means of even procuring a loaf for my dear little brother and myself, you put gold into my hand. Oh! dear lady, these are manifestations of generosity which entered, the patient made a signal for tho housekeeper | nevercan be forgotten; and, noble as you are by name, and little Harry to withdraw; and when’ the two you are nobler in heart. It will ba my joy—my pride friends were alone togeth»r, a most affecting scene took | to screen you, who have proved so kind a friend to (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)