The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 236: what you’re looking at

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

I NE te I Renee ean ea THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. handed it to Laura, who, consuming with strong desires though sho were, could scarcely suppress a iaurch as sho perused the billet, with the contents of which she was already so well acquainted. “And did you see the poor man who addressed you and your friends in this wild, romantic stylo ?” she asked, restoring him the note, ‘He did not make his appearance,” responded Barthelma. “ But even if that letter were the pro- duction of some mischievous wag, or of a crazy per- s0n, I could not possibly feel otherwise than rejoiced ft having been made the dupe of either a humourist or a madman: for, as I just now ‘observed, tho anonymous letter led to my meeting with you.” And, as he spoke, he smoothed down her glossy, luxuriant hair with his open palm. ** But doubtless your two companions found more difficulty in consoling themselves for the disappoint- ment?” said Laura. “Faith! dear Jady,’ exclaimed Lorenzo, “they spoke but little on tho subject: for, to tell you the truth, your beauty had not failed to produce a very sensible effect on them as well as upon myself.” * Flatterer !” cried Laura, playfully caressing the handsome Italian. “Oli! you know that rou are lovely—transcend- ently lovely!” he exclaimed, in an ardent tone; “and you can well believe me when IT assure you that my two friends escaped not the magic influence of vour charms. But how different wero tho effeets thus produced! Di Ponta—that is the name of my follow-countryman—was enthusiastic and rapturous in your praise; whereas Charles Hatfield—the Eng- lishman—became gloomy, morose, and sullen “A singular effect for the good looks of a woman to produce!” cried Laura, laughing—while her heart beat with the joy of a proud triumph, “Such, nevertheless, was the casoin this instance, my angel,” said Lorenzo. “Ido firmly believe that Watfield was jealous of me in being the happy mortal who perceived the loss of your parasol, and had the honour of restoring it;—yes—jealous, dear lady, because that happy accident introduced me to your notice, and privileged me to address you.” “Your english friend must be a very weak- minded young man,” obserred Laura; “and Iam truly delighted that it was not he whose acquaint- ance I was destined to make this day.” “ Nevertheless, he is very handsome,” said Lo- ronzo, gazing upon the syren with a playful affecta- tion of jealousy. ‘Not so handsome es you, my Barthelma,” re- plied Laura, with simulated onthusiasms and, in order to dispel the partial coldness which a digres- sion from amorous topics had allowed to creep orer her, she cast her arms around Lorenzo’s neck and fastened her lips to his, Then the blood began once more to circulate like ghtuing in her veins,—and her voluptuous bosom panted against the roung Italian’s chest. Here shall we leave the amorous pair; for, after a little tender dalliance and another glass of the exciting juice of Epernay, they retired to the cham- ber whoso portal we must not pass to follow thora. 2 z x 4 s x * x a x x At eight o’clock ‘in the morning Lorenzo Bar- thelma took his departure; and shortly afterwards Rosalie entered Laura’s room, 231 The Frenchwoman, who was as discreet as she Was an adept at intrigue, wore the usual calm and respectful expression of countenance; and not even by a sly smile nor an arch look did sho appear as if she dovoted a thought to the manner in which her mistress had passed the night. ‘Did the captain depart unperceived?” inquired Laura, who, although she had given no instructions to that effect, was nevertheless well assured that her intelligent abigail had superintended tho egress of the handsomo Italian. “Entirely unobserved, mademoiselle,” was the answer. “I amused the porter and his wifo in their lodge for a few minutes while Captain Bar thelma slipped out into the street. Three persons alone are acquainted with last night’s adveuture,— you, the captain, and mysclf.” “Good!” exclaimed Laura: then, drawing asido the curtain of the bed in which she was voluptu- ously pillowed, she said, “ And now, my dear Rosalie, give me an:‘account of your proceedings relative to the Marquis of Delmour.” “T have Jearnt but a few facts, mademoiselle,” was the reply: “those, however, are of some import- ance, He is enormously rich—very generous— bears an excellent character “Ys he married ?” demanded Laura, hastily. “Yes: but he has been living apart from his wife for many years ;—and respecting the cause of their separation, there is a great mystery which not even his best friends can penetrate, and into which, therefore, a casual inquirer like mysolf could not obtain the least insight,” “ And this is all you could ascertain concerning him ?” said Laura, interrogatively. “ Did you not think of asking if he had any family by his wife 2?” “T did not forget to make that inquiry, mademvi- selle,” answered Rosalic; “and I was assured that his lordship is childless.” “You are a good and faithful creature,” observed Laura; ‘and your services will prove invaluable to me. That purse which lies on the toilette-table, contains no insignificant sum in gold. It is yours— a recompense for the work of yesterday, But as you now know more of me than you did before, and asinafew short hours J permitted you to obtain a decper reading of my secret soul than you could possibly have acquired, had I shut myself up in a studied reserve, it isas well that you should undor. stand moe thoroughly. I mean this, Rosalic—that I can be a good friend, or an implacable enemy—” “T shall never provoke your enmity, mademoi- selle,” observed tho abigail. *I do not think you will, Rosalie,” resumed Laura: “ but, as I said ero now, itis as well that you should comprehend my character in all its details— in all its phases. You will benefit yourself by serv- ing me faithfully: you would only injure yourself by playing me false. When once I have said upon this subject all that I mean to say, I shall not again refer toit: but the oetter we understand each other, the more permanent will be our connexion, Fzekon, then, on’ my friendship so0 long as yon Gsserve it;—deccive me, and I will risk my very life to be avenged.” “Oh! mademciselle,” exclaimed Rosalie, absolutely frightened by tho yehemencoe with which her mis. tress spoke,—“ have I done anything to render you suspicious of mo ¢” “On the contrary,” said Laura, with a smile; “you have done all you could to serve meo—and yor ae (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)