The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

i te me ee eee ee ee a A PS “P AD ey ne EG ————a ae ee observed by the ladies before it reached the hands of tho oar. The contents conveyed a brief intimation that Mr. IIatfeld had returned to Trondon with his sons and that they had put up temporarily at tho Trafal- gar Ifotel, Spring-gardens, where the presence of the nobleman was ansiously expected. Thither the carl accordingly repaired, and a waiter conducted him to an apartment, in which he was received oy his half-brother alone—the father having deomed it prudent that the son shonid not bo present while the necessary explanations were being given, Tho mecting between the nobleman and Mr. Hatfield was cordial, and even affectionato: how different from that of the mother and daughtor in Paris, as described in the preceding chapter ! “You have recovered your son, Thomas,” said tho oarl; “and under any circumstances I congratulate sou. The fact that he has returned to London with you convinces me that the paternal authority ts onco more recognised.” *Yes—ho is here—in an adjacent room, Arthur,” replicd Mr. Hatfield. “I thought it prudent, for many reasons, to send for you privately, and consult you poforo IT ventured to take him back to his mother’s presence, Indeed I know not, after all that has occurred, whether vou will permit him to cress vour threshold again—whether you can ever forgivo him.” “Heo is your san, Lhomas, and that is suffi- olont,” interrupted the gencrous, noble-hearted earl, ‘éWhatever ho may havo done, I promise to pardon him: however gravely he may have erred, I will yield him my forgiveness, Nay, more—I wil] under. take to promise tho same for my wife, who you know is nota woman that harbours rancour.” The amiable, tho excellent Esther! Oh! no, no—she would not refuse pardon or sympathy to a Hving soul”? exclaimed Mr. Jlatfield. “ And you, iny fencrous brother—my never-failing friend—how can I sufficiently thank you for these assurances which you give me, and which so materially tend to lighten the sorrow that weighs upon my heart? Ihave suffered and undergone much dur- ing the few days of my absence from London.” “But you havo recovered your gon,” hastily in- terrupted the carl, pressing his half-brother’s hand with a fervour that was indeed consolatory; “and J am suro that, although his crrors may have been great, he has not committed any thing dishonour- able, To may havo been self-willed — rebellious against the paternal authority —ungratcful — un- mindful of those who wish him well; he may have yielded himself up to the wiles of an infamous wo- man —— ” ‘All that has he assuredly done, Arthur,” said Mr. Hatfield, in a melancholy tono; “and moro still! Jor, as you yourself suspected on that day when wo mado so many distressing discoveries in the library, he found out who I was—who I am,—he believed himself to be my legitimate sen—he even raised money by the name of Viscoune Marstou—bhie dared to contemplate measures to force me to as- sumo your title, and claim your estates; and he would have sacrificed you—me—his mother—the countess—aye, and the amiable, excellent Frances —hv would havo sacrificed us all,’ added Mr. Hat- ficld, profoundly ecacited, “te his inordinate ambi- tion! Now, my deat Arthur,” be asked, in s _——w— eee ee —~j ew eae tee Ips TIT WYSTERIFS OT LINDON. | milder and moro measured tone—‘ now, can yow forgive my son all this ?” *Yos—and moro—ten thousand times more!’ ejaculated the earl, emphatically. ‘“ Had he pos- sessed the right to accomplish all ho devised—aye, had ho carried out his designs to the very end—oven then, Thomas, would I have forgiven him for your sake.” “Ttisa god—an angel who speaks thus; and not a mere human being!” exclaimed Mr. Hatfield, em- bracing his half-brother with an enthusiasm and a fervour amounting almost to a worship, “Oh! why are not all men Hke you ?—tho world would then know not animosity, nor rancour, nor strife; and earth would bo heaven !” “Thomas, Thomas,” cricd tho ear], reproachfulls, “attach not too much importanco toa feeling on my part which you yourself would show under similar circumstances! But let us speak of your son, Tle has erred, and you have forgiven him— you, his father, who are the most deeply wounded by his temporary ingratitude, lave pardoned him and taken him again to your heart. Shall not I, then, wholook upon himin the light of anephew—shallnot | I, anuncle, forgive and forget what a father can par- don and obliterate from his memory? Yes—and I will even find extenuating circumstances in his favour: J will search out and conjure up excuses for him! Endowed with an enthusiastic disposi tion—an ardent longing to render himsolf con- spicuots in tho world—a fervid craving to carn dis- tinction and acquire a proud name,—hoe paused not to reflect whether it were well to shine with an adventitious lustro, or to win for himself and by himself the glory that should encirclo his brow. The splendid career of the Prince of Montoni dazzled—nay, almost blinded him; and while hoe contemplated the eminence on which that illus trious personage stands, ho forgot that his Royal Highness obtained notrank and power by hereditary right, but by his great decds, his steady perserer- ance in the course of rectitude, and his ennobling virtues. While filled with lofty aspirations, your son suddenly made tho discovery of certain family secrets which appeared to place a title within his reach, Ah! pardon him if he stretched out his hand to prasp the visionary coronct,—pardon him, J say—and wonder not if in the eagerness of his desire to clutch the dreamy bauble, ho thrust parents, relatives, and friends rudely aside.” * The gencrosity which prompts you to extenuate his griovous faults shall not be cooled nor marred | by any opposite opinion on my part,” said Mr. Hat- | field. “And, my God! is ho not my son ?—and have I not already—yes, already—whilo we wore stillin Paris—promised to forgive him every thing But when I think of all the misery his insane am bition would have broughtupon you and yours-——” “Qh! the loss of title and wealth would not interfere with my happiness, Thomas,” interrupted tho carl, smiling, . “And that loss you cannot now sustain—n— never, never !” exclaimed Mr. Iatfield, impotuonsly: “and I thank God that I am enabled to give you this assurance! For the papers—tho fatdl papers— the family documents, are all burnt—burnt with my own hand, and in tho presence of that young man who dared to take them from the secret recess where you had deposited them.” * re now you called mo gencrous, Thomas,” said the earl,—“and for the performance of s cor- ES “Ci A eet ers cn gS wi EConnicloooks (CO)