The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 229: what you’re looking at

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294 THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. ~ “hen should | do well to remain in France, signor—rather than lead your nation into such a crime,” said Jaaura, laughing gaily: and tho rapid glance which she darted towards her husband con- vineed her that ke was enduring thetorments of the danned—turments thich wero increasing in pro- portion as she seemcd to grow v. mort friendly terms with tho young Italian officer. “ T chould be wretched indeed, beautcous lady,” said he, in reply to her last observation, “did I think that any inconsiderate remark from my lips could deter you from carrying into effect a purpose already settled in your mind, Neither,” ho added, with a sigh, “am I vain encngh to suppose myself to be of sufficient importanco to sway you in one way or another.” “Noram [ vain enough to take in any sense sare as a compliment tho flattering observation you made just now relative to the reception | micht expect at Montoni;’—and as Taura uttered these words, she east down her eyes and blushed slightly. The didlogue between the Cactelcicalan and her- ) self had been earrivd on in a tow tone, and was | therefore totally inandible to the ether [tilian and Charles Hattield, who were gazing, but with very different feelings, on the lovely woman, Neither had the conversation occupied one tenth part of the time which we have consumed in detailing it j;—and in the interval, the carriages originally behind that of Laura, had passed hers by, co that the stoppage of her equipage caused no obstruction, The tide of pedestrian loungers was Jikewt eo still flowing en— there being nothing singular nar nunsual in’ the fact of a gentleman on foot parsing lis respects toa Jady who rode in her carriage. But while the multitude, generally, caw nanehe peenliar in the reene which we ate deteriting, it was nevertheless one of deep interest, | By the care riage door ctood the young Castelerealin officer, his heart throbbing with the inc Pablo emotions which the wondrous beauty of Laura had excited, 05 it were by the wave ofanenchanter’s wand ;—in the ve- lucie iteelf cate the syren—bending forward towards that handsome foreryner as if she were already in- terected in him, though in reality she experienced not the slightestcencual fecling in his favour—other considerations occupying her thonghts :—at a little distance rtool the other Italian offieer, gazing upon her with an admiration which he could not con- ceal, and envying bis comrade the privilege wich } oa lucky accident had given bis to address the houri; | —and there aleo was Charles Ifatheld—ghastly pale, his limbs trembling convulsively, and hus lips ' white and quivering with rage, | Yes: terrible—terrible were the feelings which | Lanra’s husband experienced for the six or cipht | minutes that this scene lasted, There wasa woman Whose beauty excited universal admiration,—a wo- man in allthe splendour of female lorcliness ;—and this woman was Ats wife-—his own wedded wife,— a wife whom he could rash forward and clatm in oa moment, if he chore! And that woman was now coquetting before his eyes—co ynetting with asta fied purpose to annoy him. Oh! he could understand it all,--the means which had been adopted to induce him aud dus two compantons to procerd to the Champs Elysées at that hour—tho pretended acel- dent of the paratol—and the smiles and tender looks which Laura now bestowed upon one who was en- tirely a rtranger to her:—yes—all, all was now clear to Charles Hatficld,—and he was on the point — mw ee ee ees ere sete — of springing forward—not 19 cutea Laura to his breast and claim hor as his spouse—-bue to upbraid and exposo her,—when ho suddenly recollected that a portion of the agreement entered into be- tween his father and hor, was to the effect that she likewise was to be secure against molestation or recognition on Ais part, as well as he on licrs. This reminiscence compelled the unhappy young man to restrain his feelings; and os ho was forced to subdue his ire, his jealousy only becamo tho more painful, because it required a vent of somo kind or another. IIo writhed—ho positively writhed before her cycs; —and now ho was humiliated as well as tortured to such an intolerable degree! Laura had cast down her looks and had called up a blush to her smooth cheeks, when she made to the handsome Castelcicalan the remark that we have last recorded: but almost immediately after- wards she raised her countenance again, and smil- ing with an archness so enchantingly sweet that it would have moved the rigid features of an octo- ronarian anchorite to admiration, she said: “ At all events, signor, ehould I visit Montoni in the course of this summer, ny stay would be very short—for I purpose to become a great traveller, and to travel very rapidly also, To-morrow I set ont for Vienna.” “Vionnal’ repeated the Castelcicalan, in as- tonishment. ‘Surely Paris possesses greater at- tractions than tho cold, dull, formal Austrian capital?" | “Oht of that Timust judge for mysclf,” ex- claimed Laura, laughing—at thessme time showing by her manner that sho thought their conversation | had lasted long enough. The young Htalisn was too well-bred to attempt to detain her: but it was nevertheless with evident reluctance that he stepped back from the carrispe- door and raised his hat in farewell salutation, Laura inclined her head gracefully in acknowledge ment of his courtesy, and the vehicle drove on rapidly, the way before it being now comparatively clear. Oh! what triumph wasin her heart, as she threw herself baci: In the carriage and reflected upon all the incidents of the scene that had just occurred, — a reene which had not occupied ten minutes, and which had nevertheless stirred up so many and euch varied feclings! Her vanity had been gratified by the homage paid to her beauty; and her malig- nity had for the timo been assuaged by the contem- plation of the almost mortal avonies endured by her husband, She had seserted the empire of her eharins orer even the very heart that ought to cherish hatred against her: she had inspired with the mad- dest jealousy the soul that was bound to think of her with loathing and abhorrence, She felt all the pride of a woman wielding a sceptre more despotic than that of a queen—a sceptre which was as a magic wand in her hand, casting spells upon even thote who detested, as well as those who admired her! CILAPTER CLAIIT. LAUNA AND NROSALIE, Yrs—it wasa preat triumph for Laura Mortimer, —a triumph all the preater, inasmuch as she knew that the agitation and rage of her husband could not speedily pass away; and that, when his friends had re eo ee re te Ore + EConnicloooks (SO)