The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 232: what you’re looking at

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a i nn re re a re rr ee engrem 0 e yrrt n a G ee ‘a fine harvest of rewards, bribes, and TILE gation of the three gentlemen to whom this letter 5 addressed, ” “ Upon my word, I give you eredit for your strata- gem!” oxclaimed Laura, laughing heartily, “I have no doubt that Charles sees through it now: but he will not daro to give any explanations to his friends,” she added, ina musing tance, “ They will imagino that thoy havo been duped by some humorous per- son—and ho will affect to fall into the same way of thinking.” “Or elso tho two Italian gentiemen will suppose that the poor refugee was prevented, by some mis- adventure, from keeping the appointment,” observed Rosalie, now giving wav to her mirth to such a de- gree that the tears came into her eyes. “Woll—make an end of your story,” said Laura, who had nearly completed her toiletto; for, although sho oxpected no one that evening, she nerortheless made it a rule to dress herself with the utmost care in caso of a visit on the part of any of thoso persons whoso acquaintance sho had recently formed, “J have little moro to toll you, mademoiselle,” responded Rosalic. “‘ My friond, the chambermaitd, left tho note, which was duly sealed and pro- perly addressed to. the three gentlemen, upon tho table of Captain Barthelma’s private apartment; and soon afterwards that officer-went to his room. T waited at tho hotel in the hopo of ascertaining the effect that the Billet would produce; and in a short time the captain returned in haste to his com- panions, who were still lounging in the court-yard— some of them giving directions to their grooms, and others smoking cigars. From tho window of my friond’s chamber, I beheld Captain Bartholma draw Mr. Charles Hatfield and Lioutenant Di Ponta aside, and show them tho letter. They evidently perused it with preat attention; and J felt assured by their manner that they treated the affair seriously, I now requested my friend to hurry down stuirs, and traverso the yard as if in pursuance of her avo- cations—but to pass as near the little group as possible, and endeavour to catch any remarks that they might be exchanging at the moment. This she did* and sho heard quite enough to convinco hor that tho appointment would bo kept. I then re- traced my way homoward, and was happy in being ablo to give you the assurance, mademotselle, that your wishes would be fully gratified so far as tho result depended upen me.” “You are a good girl, Rosalio,” said Laura; “and T shall not be unmindful of tho service you havo thus rendered me. But I now require your aid in another matter——” " Speak, my dear lady: I am ontirely at your dis- posal,” observed tho dependant, who, in proportion as sho obtained a farther insight into the character of her mistress, felt the more certain of reaping hush money. “Thoro is in Paris at this moment an Jinglish nobleman concerning whom I am desirous that you should obtain as much information as you can pos- sibly glean, without creating any suspicion or in any way compromising me. I allude to the Mar- quis of Delmour,” continued Laura: “but L know not where ho is residing; nor can I offer tho least suggestion to guide you in instituting your in- quirics.” “Troave all that to me, mademoiselle,” said Rosalie. “There ig no time to be lost,’ observed Laura ——— MYSTERIES OF ec rp i TC A LONDON. 99 “this evening, or in the course of to-morroyr, must I have the information which I seck.” “Tam notin the habit of letting the grass grow beneath my feet,” replied the French dependant with an arch smile. “The moment you have eat down to dinner, mademortselle, I will sally forth: and should I not return until a somewhat late hour——” ; ‘‘No matter,” interrupted Laura: “TI shall know that you are employed in my interests. Unless, indocd,” she added, laughing, “you possess a lover whose company may prove moro agreeable to you than the task with which I havo entrusted you.” *“T have no lover in Paris—at present, made- moiselle,” observed Rosalic. “Phen you admit that you have had a lover in your lifo-time ?” said Laura. "Oh! certainly, mademoiselle,” exclaimed tha pretty Frenchwoman: “and—to speak candidly—I could not without some trouble reckon the num- bor of those who have proclaimed themselves my admirers.” “Tho name of your lovers is Logion, thon ? cried Laura, again laughing: but it was the natural sensuality of hier disposition which impelled her thus to interrogate her servant;—for a licentious woman expericnces a voluptuous enjoyment in learning that another is as amorously inclined or as downright abandonod as herself. And now that Laura’s spite against Charles Hatfield was for thie time appeased, and she had Iecisure to ponder upon the handsome countenanco and elegant figure of Captain Barthelma, her imagination was becoming inflamed, and wanton ideas and aspirations roso up in her brain. “Oh! mademoiselle,” exclaimed Rosalic, with an archness of expression that mado lier countenance particularly interesting at the momont; “you must think me very vain and very silly for having made the remark which fell eo inconsiderately from my lips |” **Not at all,” observed Laura: “ you aro protty cnough to havo captivated many hearts. And now tell me, my dear girl—have you passed through such an ordeal without leaving your virtue bohind ? Bo frank and candid: I wish to know you thoroughly, that I may determine how far I can trust you.” TI dare say, mademorselle, that you can form a tolerably accurate guess in that respect,” said Rosalie, in a low tone and with a blushing counte- nance. “Were I totell you that Lam pure and chaste, you would not believe me, mademoiselle—and—and, you wonld be right.” “ Suppose, then, that you had suddenly conceived a great fancy for a very handsome young man, Rosalie?” said Laura, ler bosom heaving voluptu- ously as she gradually approached the atm and ob- ject of tho present conversation, “T should tako care to let him perceive that if ho chose to solicit, it would not bo in vain,” an- swered Josalic, who already comprehended that hor mistress was not giving the discourso this turn without some definite ond in view. And von would bo deeply grateful,” continucd Tuaura, in a low but significant tone, “ to any friend who might assist you in the management of the intrigue 2?” “ Decidedly, meademoiselle,’ replicd the French- woman: “ the more so that I myself should dehignt in rendering my aid when and where the Sorvices (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)