The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 323: what you’re looking at

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

ee we oi8 THE AWYSTORIES OF LONDON. you mean me to infer that you will never marry ?” “Tf have more than half made up my mind: to that resolution,” responded Laura, casting down her eyes and forcing a blush to her cheeks. “Nover marry!” cried the Marquis, in unfeigned surprise, “And what if you happened to fallir love with somo fine, handsome, eligible young man 2” “In the first place it is by no means neccessary: that a man should be fine, handsome, or young for me to Jove him,” answered Laura, as if in the most ingonuous way in the world; “and when I do love, if is not a whit the more imperious that the parson or the priest should rivet my hand to that of the object of my affections, It is within the power of man to unite hands—and that is 2 mockery: but God alone can unite hearts—and that is a solemn and sacred compact that should be effected in the sight of heaven only.” “TJ scarcely understand ycu, beautiful and myse terious being!” exclaimed the Marquis, drawing nearer to the syren, who did not appear to notice the moyvernent, “JT am aware that some of my notions are not altogether in accordance with those of society in general,” observed Laura, with an affectation of reserve and diffidence: “ but since the conversation has taken this turn, I do not hesitate fo admit that I do hold peculiar opinions with respect to marriage.” : “You would have mo understand, Miss Morti- mer,” said the Marquis, “that were you to find your affections onchained by some deserving indi- vidual, you would not hesitate to join your destinies to his, without the intervention of the Church to cement the union,” * Your lordship has interpreted my meaning in language s0 delicate as to bo almost ambiguous,” observed Laura. “And yet why should tho truth be thus wrapped up in verbiage? I do not enter- tain opinions which I am afraid to look in the face. God forbid! In a word, then, I would teu thou- sand times rather become the mistress of the man I loved, than the wife of him whom I abhorred ;— and in loving the former, and with him loving me, is it not that union of hearts which, as I ere now said, should be effected only in the sight of heaven ?” ‘And have you ever yet loved ?” asked the noble- man, in a tone of profound emotion, as ho gazed long and ardently upon the splendid countenance whereon the Jight from the casements now fell with a Rembrandt offect, delineating the faultless profile against the obscurity that had already begun to occupy the end of the room most remote from the windows. “Oh! my lord, that is a question which you can only ask me when we come to know each othor better!” exclaimed Laura, after a few moments’ pause, “And yet I already feel as if J had known you for aS many years as our acquaintance numbors days,” said the Marquis. “ Methought yesterday— and this morning too—that a species of intimacy— a kind of impromptu friendship had sprung up between us; and now you are somewhat cold towards me—your manner is not the same——” “Tf I have been guilty of any want of courtesy towards your lordship, I should be truly—deeply grieved,” exclaimed Laura, surveying the nobleman With well affected astonishment at tho accusation nitered against her, “Ob! use not such chilling language, Laura— Miss Mortimer, I mean!” cried the old nobleman, half inclined to throw himself at her feet and im- plore her to take compassion upon him, “ But I am mad—I am insane to appeal to you thus!” he continued, in a species of rage against himself. “How can I suppose that the society of an old man like me is agreeable to 2 young and beautiful creature such as you?—-low can I give way to those glorious but fatal delusions that have occupied my brain for the last forty-eight hours? Oh! Miss Mortimer—would that I had never seen you!” And the old nobleman, covering his face with his hands, literally sobbed like a youthful lover quar- rolling with an adored mistress. “My lord—my lord, what have I done to offend you ?” demanded Laura, as if deeply excited; and, seizing his hands, she drew them away from his countenance, well aware that the contact of her soft and warm flesh would make tho blood that age had partially chilled, circulate with speed and heat in his veins. “Tf you had attempted my life,” replied the Mar- quis, with fervid emphasis, “I should rejoice at 5 deod that would elicit such kindness from you as you manifest towards mo now !” And thus speaking, he raised her hands to his lips and covered them with. kisses, “Tell me—how did I offend you?” she asked, in a voice that was melting and musical cven to ravishment. “Oh! let us think not of what has passed,” he exclaimed: “but bless mo with the assurance that you can entertain a sentiment of friendship for tho old man !” “T would rather possess your friendship, my lord, than that of the handsomest and wealthiest young eentleman whom we met at the party tho other evening,” responded the artful woman, still aban- doning her hands to tho Marquis. ‘Did you not obsorve that I was pleased with your attentions— that I refused to dance in order that I might re- main seated noxt to you, and listening to your conyersation—that when the gay moths of fashion approached me with their fulsome compliments, I exhibited signs of impatience, and by my coldness compelled them to retreat—that [ gave no encou- ragement to them in any way-——~” ‘ Yes—yes,” interrupted the enraptured Marquis: "TI noticed all that—and were I a young man J should hare felt myself justified in addressing you in the language of passion—aye, of ardent and | sincere affection. But—although such are indeed my sentiments towards you—I perceivo all the folly and ridicule of daring to give utterance to them in your presence: yet God knows that I am ready to lay my fortune at your foet—and could I offer to place tho coronet of a marchioness upon your brow——” “ Wero you in the position to do so, I should 3t# fuse it,” said Laura, emphatically. ‘“ All the rest I might liston to——” ‘Then you are aware that I am married?” in- terrupted tho nobleman, fixing an carnest and enquiring gaze upon her beauteous countenance. ‘Rumour declares as much,” replied Laura; “ond it likewise avers that you are not happy in your matrimonial connexion. I pity you from the bottom of my heart—and T behold in the fact itself EConnicloooks (CO)