The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

a a re ES a enn ees ate “a 1 240 TIE MWYSTERIOS oF LONDUN. with a comniunication, 50 800n as you shall have seen Mr. James Heathcote? Although, in virtue of mv marriage, I bear a proud and a great name, yet fr years and years have I been known only as Mrs. Scfton—and by that appellation must I be known to you.” The lady then mentioned her address in Kentish “own; and, extending her hand to the young nobleman, renewed her thanks for the kindness which he had shown her. Ho offered to escort her to her home: but this she declined with a firmness, at the samo time in such delicate terms, aS to convince him that she would neither compromise herself, nor allow him to bo compromised by a courtesy which he could not well have refrained from proposing, although he might not have boon veell pleased to carry it into effect. He promised to call upon her as soon as he had anything important to communicate; and Mrs. Sefton then took her departure, Trevelyan ringing the boll in order that the servant might attend her to the door, so that thore should bo nothing clan- destine nor stealthy in the appearance of the visit. Whon Trovelyan was once more alone, ho threw himself in an arm-chair, and gavo way to his re- flections—-for the evening’s adventure had, tn all its details, furnished arnple food for thought. In the first place, there was the strange—the unaccountable disappearance of Sir Gilbert Heathcote—a man to whom the young patrician was much attached, and whose friendship ho valued highly. ‘hen, in spite of the remonstrances which he had addressed to Mrs. Softon, he found stspicions existing in his mind relative ‘o James Heathcote—suspicions of a natur whicl he dared not attempt to dofine oven in tho secresy of his own soul ; but which neverthe \ess 2very moment grew stronger, vague though they were, Next, he pondered upon the particu- jars of the slight autobiographical sketch the lady had given him; and he dwelt with a yot unsubdued surprise on tho fact that his friend Sir Gilbert had maintained, for so long a time and entirely un- suspected, a connexion that fully accounted for his bachelor-life. Lastly, Trevelyan meditated upon the course which he must adopt to discover the baronct’s fate, unless he should speedily re-ap- pear and relieve from their crnel suspense and un- certainty thoso who were interested in him. Tho young nobleman felt not the slightest incli- nation to retire to rest, although it was now one o'clock in the morning. The adventures of the evening had excited and unsettled him ;—but have ing pondered on the various topics above cnume- rated, his thoughts insensibly reverted to his be- loved Agnes. Suddenly his cyes caught the portfolio that he had left upon the table; and, opening it, he took forth the portrait of tho Recluse of the Cottage. But, ch! why did he start ?—what did he seo ? Rising from his chair, he held the picture in such na manner that the light gave him a perfect view of it: and, sure enough—beyond all possibility of mis- take—there was a mark upon tho dress,—a spot, as ifa drop of watcr—perhaps a tear—had fallen upon it. What could this mean ?—how could such an ac- cident have happened ? Again and again he looked,—looked stedfastly— earnestly; and the longer hoe gazed, the more con- vinced did he become that his eyes did not deceive him—that he saw aright—and that the stain or the spot was there! Yet he had not noticed it when, after Mrs, Mor- timer’s departure, and previous to Mrs. Sefton’s arrival, he had so long and so ardently contem- plated that portrait. No: the mark was not thera then; or else he—the lover, devouring the entire portrait,—he, the artist, scrutinising with satisfac- tion every minute detail of his own drawing,—oh! yes—lic could not have failed to observe tho slightest speck—the least, least spot that marred the goneral effect of that pleasing delineation ! Was it possible, then, that Mrs. Sefton had in- spected tho portfolio? Yes—such 2 supposition was natural enough. She was leff alone in that room for nearly two hours; and, in spite of hor sorrow, tho time must have seamed so irksome to her as to induce her to haye recourse to any means to while it away, if not to divert hor thoughts into a less melancholy channel. Yes— yes: ho had divined the truth now, no doubt! At least such was his idea ;—and then the tear—oh! it was easily accounted for. She was overwhelmed with gricf at tho mysterious and alarming absence of the man whom sho loved; and she was weeping while she turned over the contents of the portfolio. . “ Well—it is no matter,” thought Trevelyan, as lio arrived at these conclusions: “ it would have been far worso had the tear fallen on the face of the por- trait,—for I might labour for lhours—nay, for days, Without being enabled to catch and delincate so faithfully again that sweet expression of counte- nanco which Agnes wears, and which I have suc- ceeded in conveying to my paper. But the mark is upon the dress—and a single touch with the brush will repair the injury. Alas! poor woman,” ho added, in his musings, and alluding to Mrs. Sefton, “ you have indeed cnough to weep for, if you hava lost all you love on earth—and, even had you spoilt the portrait altogether, I would have forgiven you !* Trevelyan now returned the drawing to tho port- folio, which he conveyed to the little room ad- joining; and then, retracing his way into the par- lour, ho approached the mantel-picce to take the letter which he had written to Agnes. But he was astounded—stupified by tho convic- tion which burst upon him that tho Ietter was gone | Gone !—it might have dropped upon the floor— on the rug—in the fendor? No:—vainly did ho search—uselessly did he pry into every nook and corner he could think of;—the Ietter had dis- appeared ! He rang the bell furiously. «Did any one enter this room during my absence just now, and while that lady was here?” he de- manded of the domestic, who responded to the summons, «No, my lord,” was the answer. “You aro certain?” said Trevelyan, with interro- gative emphasis. “Tam positive, my lord,” replied the man: then, °’ after a pause, he observed, “I hope nothing une pleasant has occurred, my lord %” “Yes—no—you may retire,” said tho nobleman, abstractedly; and, when the domestic had left tho room, he threw himself into a chair, overcome with amazement and gricf at the mysterious circum- stance that had occurred. oa EConnicloooks (CO)