The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 320: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON, ~~. longed to embrace!” added Mrs. Sefton, wiping away the tears of joy that started to her eye-lashes- “Oh! my lord, you may conceive my surprise—my joys, when I beheld that portrait in your portfolio, Although I had never seen my child sines hor in- fancy, yot it-seemed as if a heavenly inspiration imparted to mo the conviction that I was then gazing on her likeness. At all evonts I murmured to myself, while contemplating it, “Suck muet Agnes now be: tall, beautiful, and with innocence depicted inher countenance, even as this portrait’ And then I wept as I thought that tho dear girl was Jost to me for ever—buried in some seclusion by one who cruclly kept us separated! I closed the portfolio— rose—~and mechanically approached the mantel. There I beheld the letter—and the address immedi- ately rivetted my attention. ‘I3fiss Agnes Vernon?" Oh! Jes—it was my own dear daughter whose por- trait I had been contemplating; and I was not mistaken{ For I may be allowed to say, withont incurring the imputation of vanity, that in the countenance of the portrait I traced mj own linca- ments; and then—on discovering tho letter—I felt aesured that naturo’s promptings had not been mis- interpreted by me! Because I know tliat Agnes passed under the name of Vernon: that fact J accidentally learnt years ago, through my husband's solicitor, who was permitted from time to time to give me the assurance that my daughter was alive and in health. Yon can now conceive, my dear friend, how strong were the emotions which agitated within me, and which influenced mo in seizing upon the letter—tearing it opon—and devouring its con- tents.” “And your first impression was doubtless ono of indignation against me for having dared thus to address your daughter?” said Lord William Tre- velyan, “Tar froin it, I can assure you!” returned Mrs. Sefton, in a tono of the deepest sincerity. “I already knew cnough of your character to bo well aware that you were honourable in principle and genorous in heart; and tho whole tenour of the letter was respectful ond delicate, though earnest and decided,” added the lady, with a smile, as Tre- velyan’s cheeks were suffused with a deep binsh. “ Besides, my dear friend,” she continued, in asecricus tone, “J have acquainted you with the history of the crushed hopes and tho blighted affections of my own early ycars—and I should be tho last per- s0n in tho world to raise an obstacle in the way of a pure and honourable attachment on the part of thoso in whom I felt interested.” “hen you approve of my suit in respect to your daughter?” exciaimed Treyelyan, his handsome countenance becoming animated with jor; “and you will not refuso me her hand ?” “When sho attains her twonty-first year, my lord,” replied Mrs. Sefton, in a solemn tone, “ Until then I dare not dispose of her_hand in marriage. She is now nineteen ——” “Two years to wait!” exclaimed Trevelyan, mournfully: “and iv tho mean time how many ad- verse circumstances may occur to separate us |” “Yours is the age when Hopo smiles most brightly,” eaid Mrs. Sefton; “and if your affection for my daughter bo as strong as you represont it, believe me, my dear friend, that timo will not im- pair—but rather strengthen and confirm it.” “Were years and years to olapse, cre Agnes could become mine, I shonld not love her the Jess!” oz- a tN A a a TR I TC TE = i A A SE TS SS I vlad claimed Lord William. “But this may not be so with her: indeed, I have no reason to hope—much less any assurance—that she in any degreo recipro- cates my passion.” “Agnes will not prove indifferent to your lord- ship’s morits,” said Mrs, Sefton, encouragingly, “ But we must postpone any farther conversation on this subject until another occasion. Behold tho confusion that prevails in the house,” she continued, in a more cheerful tone, as she glanced round tho room at the various boxes and packages on which sho had been busied when the arrival of Trevelyan and her daughter had compelled her to desist from her occupation. “I am about to remove this morning to a beautiful little villa which I have taken at Bays- water. By thoso means I hops to destroy all trace of my new abode, in respect to those who might seek to tear Agnes from my arms. But I have the law with me:—yes, tho law is in my favour,” she added, in an emphatic tone; “and I will not sur- render up my daughter to Atm——” She checked herself, and hastily advancing to the Window, opened the shutters. It was now quite lights and, having extinguished the candles, Mrs. Sefton returned to her task of placing yarious talunable effects in a box. Tre- velyan volautcered his assistance, which was ac- cepted; for circumstances had placed him and the lady on a footing of tho most fiicudly intimacy together, “TY received your note on my return last oven: ing,” said Mrs. Sefton, after a pauses “and I roe- gretted much to find that you had obtained no cluo to the place whero Sir Gilbert Heathcote is con- fined.” “But you must remember, my dear madam, that no time has been lost,’ observed Trevelyan, “Tt was only yesterday morning that we acquired the knowledge of Sir Gilbert's real position; and I havo employed my valet Fitzgeorge, who is an in- telligent and faithful man, to obtain an interview with Groon, T[cathcote’s clerk, and bribe him to servo us. From tho specimen of tho fellow’s cha- racter which wo had yesterday morning in this very room, I entertain but little doubt of Fitzgvorge’s success,” “God grant that it may be sol” exclaimed Mrs, sefton, fervently, “And if you succeed In disco- yering the den where Sir Gilbert is confincd, how do you intend to proceed?” “Still by artifice, my dear inadam. We must fight that bad man, James Heathcote, with his own weapons——” “Oh! think you not, my lord, that our unfortu- nate friend is hemmed round with all imaginable precantions to prevent his flight¢ demanded Mrs. Scfton. * Doubtless,” answered Trevelyan: “but the jani- tors and dependants of a Junatic-asylum are as ace cessible as other people to tho influenco of gold.” “Y now more than ever, if possible, desire tho restoration of Sir Gilbert,” said Mrs. Sefton: then, after a pause, she added in a Jow and peculiar tone, “YT heve many—miany strange things yet to tell you, Lord William: but the present is not tho most fit- ting occasion. Ina few days I will oxplain every thing—yes, overything,” sho said, emphatically; “and thenceforth there will bo no secrets botween you and me.” Tho lady again applied herself to the task of pra- paring for her removal; and the young noblemar (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)