The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

D5o TITE MYSTERIES OF LONDON, unblushing effroutery—his matchless impudence, I rould tear my hair with rage at the idea of haw I was duped. Yor though I entered his office with a strong suspicion —in rpite of the remonstrance which I last night mado to you—J quitted his presonce with a very different impression.” “ And that man who was cre now with us, is his clerk ?” said Mrs. Sefton. © But what could be tho motivo of their base attempt to induce me to quit tho country with such extraordinary precipitation?” “Tho reason is apparent cnough, my dear madam,” answered Trovelyan; “and I will now exptnin to you tho whole matter, as I understand it. James Heathcote has suborned two unprincipled villains, calling, themselves medical practitioners, to grant a certificate of tho insanity of his brother, The law of England permits such a proceeding a “Then the law of England is worthy only of bar- barians ?” exclaimed tho lady, czaphatically. “You are not the only person in the country who entertains the same conviction,’ observed Trevelyan, with a smile: then, instantly resuming a serious expression of countenance, he said, “ By virtue of that certificate, Sir Gilbort is suddenly seized upon and carricd off to 1 madhouse.” “Ob! it $s horrible!” cried tho lady, in a tono of extreme bitterness mingled with anguish, while a conrulsire shudder passed over her from head to foot, “Tho iniqnity is tremendous—and sct Itis legal,” paid Lord William. “ Yes—I blush for my country when J declare such to be the fact,—I blush also for my fellow-countrymen that they should tolerate a system which savages themselves would regard with abhorrence! Well, madam, the deed is done—the atrocity is consummated—and Sir Gilbert Ileath- cot, thoughin the complete enjoyment of his intel- lects, is borno off to a lunatic-asylum, James— his tile brother—will obtain the control orer his property; and that is tho sim and object of his wickedness, Dut knowing that you are interested —deeply interested fn Sir Gilbert's welfare id “Oh! hearen can witness how deeply?” exclaimed the lady, clasping her hands with fervour. ‘ Knowing, I repeat, how profoundly you are in- terested in all that concerns my valued friend,” continued Trevelyan, ‘'James Heathcoto sought te etpatriate you at least fur a season—so that he might prevent you from adopting any measures to restore tho tictim to the enjoyment of freedom.” “But of what arail would a few weeks’ deley he, oyen supposing that tho plot devised acalinst myself had succeeded?” asked Mrs. Sefton. “If Lhad gone to America, I should have found that Sir Gilbert was notin New York—and I shoutd have forthwith re- turned to London. Untess, indeed,” eho added, with a shudder, “my heart had broken with the im- mensity of its sorrow !” “Al! madam—and it was perhaps upon this catastrophe that the vile man reckoned!” sald Lord William, his biood growing cold at the extent of the turpitude which he was contemplating. “ And yet = moro terrible suspicion still has come into my mind—a suspicion so dreadful ——” “Name it! Keep me not in suspense!” cried the lady, observing that her young friend was himself becoming painfully excited now. “During your absence, madam,” returned he, his countenance darkoning,—“‘ during your absence, J suy—suppnsing that you had been induced to de- part-~sufficient time would bo gained to drive Sir 2? em 0 OO ee eee ew eee wee Gilbert mad In roality; and then, on your roap- pearance in London, tho lawyer would havo defied all that you could possibly attempt or deviso !” “ Merciful heaven!” ejaculated tho horror-stricken woman; ‘fcan so much black iniquity exist in the human breast?” “Alas! such schemes as these are of frequent occurrenco in this land which vaunts a consum- mate civilisation!” said Trovelyan. “ Could wo but penetrato iato the mysteries of tho mad-house, we should behold scenes that would make our hair stand on end—our blood run cold in our veins-- our very souls sick! Yes, madam—too often, in- deed, is tho lunatic asylum rendered tho engine of tho most hideous crnelty: too often docs it become a prison for tho sanss” “You will drive mo mad, my Jord!” cried Mrs. Sefton, dreadfully excited: “I shall myself becomoa aninmato—and deservedly so—of one of those awful places!” “Pardon me, dear madain—pardon me,” said Trevelyan, deeply afflicted at having suffered his excited feclings to hurry him into those passionate exclamations which had so terrified her. “1 was wrong thus to dwell on the subject.” “No—no: it is better that I should learn tho worst,” sho cried, with s strong spasmodic shud- dering, whilo horror—ineffable horror—convulsed her countenance. © But how shall we rescue him from that living tomb?” “ Abandon not yourself to despair,” replied Tro- telyan, ‘In tho first instance I must discover the place where our friend ts confined: end then, trust to me to effect his deliverance !” “Excellent man! — penerous-licarted noble!” cried Mrs, Sefton, ina tone indicative of the most fervent gratitude, “But will not the Jaw aid us in all this?” “YT have already explained to vou, my dear madam, that erery thing has doubtless been done by James Heathcote under colour of the most monstrous law that disgraces our statute-book,” responded Lord Willam. ‘ Weru Ito apply to a inagistrate, I could obtain no redress: he would be unable to assist me. The Commissioners in Tuunacy would view the matter in the ordinary light, and tell me that when the time for the usual periodical visit to tho various asylums arrived, duo inquiries should be instituted, No—the lawyer must be assailed by other weapons: cunning must bo met by cunning; —and much as I abhor duplicity, I] will not fail to use it, if necessary, in this case. BeHere me when T assure you that no time shall be lost, and that I Will without delay adopt measurcs to discover theo place where our friend is Imprisoned.” “God send you success!” murmured Mrs. Sefton, faintly: then, ina higher tone and with renewed excitemont, she said, “ But how can {calm my feel- Ings—how can I tranquyillise myself oren for a moment, while this stato of suspense shall last? And when I think of what dfs feelings must be-—— Oh! itis enough to drive him mad in reality wheis’ he is, and me likewise mad hore!” “But you must endeavour to exercise somo degree of command over your cmotions,” said Trevelyan, “ Consider—reflect—I may require vour ald in this work of deliverance; and " "Oh! now indeed vou hold ont an inducemont calculated to calm me—to give mo courage!” ox- claimed Mrs, Sefton. “ Yes—I tei/l be tranquil: I Hall exercise a preater control over my feclings. J + euene ee wt ~- —— ~~ oe lw ~ wee lw. EConnicloooks (CO)