The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 329: what you’re looking at

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324. THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. Ss ST She murmured a favourable reply; and, after some minutes of tender dalliance, sho hastoncd to give her servants the necessary instructions relative to the preparations for her departure. A delicate supper was then served up; and the sparkling champagne made the cyes of tho lovers flash more brightly, and enhanced the rich carnation glow of their countenances. Tho time-pieco struck eleven; and they wero about to retire to rest, when Rosalie hastily en- tored the room, and approaching Laura, said in an under tone, “ Jfademoiselle, your mother has this moment arrived. I told her that you were engaged —and she awaits your presenco in the broakfast- parlour.” “Ttis my mother, dear Lorenzo,” Laura observed to the Count, who had not overheard the abigail’s communication: “but her arrival will not in any way interfere with our arrangemonts,” sho hastened to add, perceiving that tho young nobleman’s countenance Suddenly expressed apprehension. “And sot you yourself appear to be but little pleased at this occurrence, dcarcest Laura,” ho whis- pered, gazing fondly upon hier. “T could have wished it were otherwise,” she responded: “but no matter. There is nothing to fear: J am independent of my mother. Ilave patienco for ten minutes—and I will return to you.” With these words, she pressed his hand tenderly, and thon hurried from tho apartmont—tho discreet Rosalio having already retirod the momont sho had delivered her messago. Laura hastened to the breakfast-parlour; and thero sho found her mother, whose garments in- dicated that sho had just arrived in Paris after a journey in an open yehicle and on a dusty road. CHAPTER CUAANIY. LAURA AND NER MOTHER.-ANOTHER INTER- NUPTION, “YIErc J amin Paris once more, Perdita—Laura, T mean,’ said tho old woman, without moving from tho soat which sho had taken, and without offering to ombraco her daughter; “and I am within the fortnight stipulated, too.” “You have travolled post from Calais or Bou- logno, doubtless ?” observed Laura, interropatively : “for your clothes are covered with dust—and it is evident that you were not cooped up in the interior ofadiligence, I may therefore conclude that you were successful in your search after Torrens and your designs upon him,” she added, fixing a pene- trating glanco upon her mothor’s countenance. ‘“T was so far successful that I obtained certain intolligence concerning him,” responded tho old woman: “ but I failed altogether in my hope of be- coming tho possessor of his money.” “And what was the intelligence to which you allude?” demanded Laura, who felt convinced from her mother’s manner that sho had ot failed in the object of her journey, “JT learnt, beyond all question or doubt, that Torrens really was the murderer of Percival, but that he himself had met with a violent death.” “Ah! Porrens is no more?” exelaimed Laura: then, bending a look full of deep meaning upon her mother, she said in a tono of equal significancy, “You went to London to be revenged upon him— and heis dead! Jie has experienced a violent ond Well—I understand you—I read your secret—and you need not be more explicit.” “By heaven! you wrong ‘me, Laura,” exclaimed tho old woman, starting in astonishment and alarm as the justice of her daughter’s horrible suspicion became snddenly apparent—a suspicion that she herself had so incautiously engenderod by the mys- terious manner in which she had announced Tor- rens’ death, , “Tt is not worth while disputing upon the sub- ject,” said Laura, in a tone which convinced her mother—and, indeed, was intended to convince her, that no explanation could now possibly wipe away the suspicion alluded to, “ You are doubtless well pleased that Torrens is no more—and that is suffi- cient.” “ Pordita—Laura, I mean,” said the old woman, speaking as if her tongue were parehed, or as if ashes clogged up her throat, “why should you take a delight in uttering things to ves and annoy mo? For some time past—indeed ever since the dato of your connection with Charles Hatfield, a barrier has appeared to ris up between us. We ecem to act towards each othor as if it wero tacitly under- stuod that wo are enemies, or that wo mutually harboured distrust and suspicion.” “T am aware of it, mothor—and it is all your own fault,” answered Laura, “ You sought to ex. erciso Over me a sway to which I would not and never will submit; and you menaced me ina man- ner not easily to bo forgotten.” “But you had your revonge—for you abused me vilely,’’ retorted Mrs, Mortimer, with o malignant bitterness of accent, “ Acknowledged! And you yourself must admit that you provoked my resentment. But let us not remain here bandying words, which may only lead to an useless quarrel, Circumstances havo opened to moa grand carecr—a career, in which my happi- ness and my intcrests may be aliko promoted; and I have accepted the destiny thus favourably pre- pared forme. In a word, I am about to marry a young Italian nobleman whom I feel I can love— whom I alroady love, indecd—and who possesses a proud titlo and princely revenues.”’ “Ah! you aro about to be married?” said Mrs, Mortimer, speaking as if tho project were perfectly natural and without an objection: but in her heart —in the depths of her foul and vindictive soul, she was rejoiced,—for this alliance would place her daughter completely in her power. The reader will remember that tho old woman was aware of Laura's union with Charles Hatfiold, but that tho young lady herself was totally un- suspicious of that fact being thus known to her mother. Yes,” resumed Laura: “I am about to bo mar. ried. I leave Paris for England to-morrow morning. I return to London, because I am now independesit of the Hatfields; and at my leisure I shall dovise means to avengo mysclf for the insults I have re- ceived at their hands. It now remains for you and mo to decido upon what terms we aro to exist in future. Be friendly—and I shall allow you a hand- somo income: be hostilo—and I shall dare all you can do against me.” “Yam sorry that my daughter should think is NT , EE ES Ney RT FS A ET EConnicloooks (SO)