The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 183: what you’re looking at

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TS I A gt A or a or - 176 . THE MYSTERIES OF LONDO?, omume w. never hear of it again. But—knowing the two women | hue ;—her large grey eyes shone brilliantly, and ap- as you do—can you Uclieve that they were the | peared to givea halo of light toher whole countenance : murderesses ? ‘“No—I cannot think it!” exclaimed Charles. “What motive could they have had? = Certainly not to recover my promissory note, since they believed me to be the heir to immense weaths—and as they no doubt fancied that their connexion with me would place ample resources at their command, they were not likely to peril their lives by killing the man for the sake of the money which he might have had in the house. Besides, when J saw them on the follow- ings morning, there was no confusion—nothing on their part to denote that they had so recently committed a horrible crime; and, depraved—wicked—unserupulous as they evidently are, I cannot bring myself to ima- gine that they could meet me with calin and unrufled countenances, only a few hours after having accom- plished a midnight murder.” “Let us hope that they are indeed innocent,” said Mr. Liathield solemnity. “ And now Twill explain to you the manner in which I] propose te deal with this Perdita.” The interest and attention of Charles redoubled, if pessiblo, as his father uttered these words. * Thank heaven,” continued Mr. Hatfield, “1 postess wealth; and by means of gold, every thing can be accamplishad with such mereenary adventures<es ns these. Perdita shall reecive a handsome stm of ready money, and a suitable income allowed her go long as she shall consent to dwell upon the continent, take any other name than that which you have untortu- nately given her, and never more molest you.” But seareely had Mr. Hatfield uttered these words,— and before his son had time to offer a single comment upon the prapos d plan to be adopted —the door opened, and Perdita entered the reuimn. TUN PATIEN, THE GON, AND TIE SON'S WITT. Tir magnificent creature whom Mr. Hatfield now beheld for the first time, liad perhaps never shone to vreater advantage than on the present occasion, She was absolutely dazzhng—radiant—supernally grand, in all the plory of her queenelike besuty, A French cambric wrapper, worked, and trimmed with costly lace, enveloped her furm—fitling loosely, yet defining all the rich contours of her voluptuote shape ;—and, though—having risen hurriedly almost inmediately after awakening—~—she had no stays on, the natural firmness of her bust maintained its rounded proportions without any artificial support. We have before said that her carly initiation ina career of wantonness and the licentious course which ehe had pursued in Australia, had marred nothing of the first freshne-s cf youth in respect to her;—and thus, thouzh her wrapper was so far open at the bosont ns te chow that the glowing orbs of snowy whiteness were unsustained by the usual article of apparel, their contours were of virgin roundness, Iler dark brown hair had been hastily gathered up in two massive bands, silken and glossy, and serving asn frame to set off the height and width of the fine forehead, which rose above brows arching majestically, und almost meeting between the temples. Her checks were slichtly flushed with a carnation —her moist red lips, parted with a smile of happiness and satisfaction, revealel the tecth so perfectly regular and of such pearly whiteness ;—and her neck arched proudly and with swan-like grace. Onc arm hung negligently, but slightly rounded, by her side: the other, thrown across her form just above the waist, kept the folds of the wrapper together :—and from beneath the skirt of that clegant, tasteful gar- nent, of almost gauzy lightness and transparency, peeped forth the beautifully-modeiled ankles in their flesh-coloured silk stockings, and the charming feet in their embroidered slippers of pale blue satin. Though, as we have before stated, she was not above the middle height, yet there was something truly regal and commanding in her deportment—something moro than graceful and less than imperious in her carriage, and, altogether, she appeared a being to whom it would not be idolatrous to kneel. On the contrary,—prejudiced and naturally inve- ferate ashe wag against her, Mfr. Uatficld could well comprehend, even at the firs glance which he threw upon her, how a young man of enthusiastic disposition and keen sensibility might love that enchanting crea- ture with a devotion amounting to a worship. The apartment warlarge and beautifully furnished, the uncarpetted floor of oak was polished almost to inirror-like brightnesa—vast looking-glasses, set in splendid frames, were suspended to the walls,—a mas: sive or-molu time-piece and handsome porcelain vases filled with flowers freshly gathered that morning, stood on the mantel—and through the casements, which reached from the ceiling to the floor, and which were only partially shaded by muslin curtains, flowed the furjyseuus lustre of the cloudless sun, so that the room esemed fillul with a transparent and impalpable haze of pold-daet, Thus the whole acpect of that large and lofty apart- ment was macnificent and rich, bright and jovous;— and, had the minds of the father and son at the instant been ina different inood, they would have felt Uhrilled with admiration and delight at the presenee of the magnificent creature who now entered an atmosphere so congenially glorious and sunny. it seemed as if the beauteous being herself were sur- retnded with a golden halo,—as if the perfume of the freshly gathered flowers were the delicions fragrance of her breath,—as if the delicate feet and ankles bore her glancingly along a polished surfitce whieh sho searcely appeared to touch ; while the immense mirrors multiplied the voluptueus form, as though other and hindred houris were moving about in attendance op their queen, The effulgence of the warm sun played on her shining hair, as if a glory sate on that exquisitely shaped head,—gave additional brightness to the eyes that flashed with the natural tire of foy,—and rendered the fine and faultless countenance radiant and dazzling tn its stirpassing beauty. Were that a room in a paiatial dwelling,—were it ar empress making her appearance,—~and were the'tiyo men courtiers awaiting her presence, the effect could not have been more yrrand—more striking,—and the courtiers would have fallen on their knees in mute adoration of a being that seemed almost divine! But, alas! circumstances marred all those fine effects which the transcendant charms of a lovely woman might have produced ;—for the sonl of this woman corresponded not with her captivating exterior,—it EConnicloooks (SO)