The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 357: what you’re looking at

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i LL 352 THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. Frank Curtis, who was ina most glerious state | slumbers. Ono request I have, howerer, to make, of mental obfuscation—beholding two Trevolyans, two baronets, twocaptains, and heaven only knows how many wax«candles—was with some difficulty induced to stand upon his legs; and-his Irish friend was more troubled still to make him use the afore- said legs when he did get upon them. However, after some little persuasion and more threatening on the part of the Captain, Frank Curtis suffered himself to be led forth from the hospitable man- sion. As soon as Trevelyan and Sir Gilbert Heathcote were alone, the former related to his friend the particulars of the various interviews which had takon place between himself and Mrs. Sefton—that lady’s discovery of her daughter Agnes—and her removal to the villa at Bayswater. The baronet was profoundly agitated—but it wag with mingled surprise and jos—when he heard those tidings relative to Agnes: he rose and paced the room with uneven steps,—and then, reseating himself, appeared anxious to make cortain revela- tions—or rather, unbosom his mind to his young friend, But, feeling perhaps unequal to the task at that moment, after the long hours of excitement through which hoe had just passed, he said, abruptly, “Trevelyan, I have matters of importance to con- fide to you: but it shall be for another occasion | I must now leave you—’tis nearly five o’clock—the morning has dawned somo time—and I am impa- tient to repair to the villa at Bayswater.” “Will you not take an hour's repose before you depart?” inquired Lord William Trevelyan. “Oh! Icould not close my eyes in sleep again until I haye embraced those who—— But pardon mo for this escitoement—this agitation,’ exclaimed Sir Gilbert, interrupting himself suddenly. “ To- morrow I will tell you all—everything,” he added, pressing Trevelyan’s hand warmly: “and then you will better comprehend the feelings which move me now. Farewell, my dear friend, for the present.” Sir Gilbert was about to take his departure, when Fitzgeorge entered the room, and addressing himself to his master, said, * My lord,.I had for- gotten to inform your lordship that when I re- turned hithor last ovening, after leaving you at Dr. Swinton’s, I found the Marquis of Delmour wait- ing 33 “The Marquis of Delmour!” ejaculatod Sir Gil- bert Heathcote. “Yes, sir,” replied Fitzgeorge. “Tho Marquis appeared to be in a very excited state, and was most anxious to see your lordship,” continued the valet, again addressing himself to his master. “I assured him that your lordship was gone out of town, and might not return for a day or two—whereupon he almost flew into arage with me for giving him such information. He paced the room in great agitation, and asked me soreral questions relative to any Jadies who might visit at the mansion: but I an- swered that your lordship was not accustomed to receive visitresses atall. At length he took his de- parture, stating that he should call again in the morning at ten o’clock, and take his chance of find- ing your lordship at home.” “J understand full well the meaning of this visit on the part of the Marquis,” said Sir Gilbert Heath- cote(io Trevelyan, when tho valet had retired; “but L hat» not time for explanations now. My impa- tiencd to repair to Bayswater is intense, unseason- able thiugh the hour is for arousing ladies from their my dear Trevelyan,” added the baronet; “and this is, that you will not, under any circumstances, com- municate to the Marquis of Delmour the address of the rille occupied by Mrs. Sefton and Agnes.” “Be well assured, my dear friend,” answered the young nobleman, “ that the secret is safe with me.” The baronet wrung Trevelyan’s hand with tho cordial warmth of deep gratitude and sincere at- tachment, and then took his departure. Lord William lay down for a fow hours, and en- joyed a sound slumber until nine o’clock, when he roso and dressed himself to receive the Marquis of Delmour. Punctually as the *lock struck ten, a handsome carriage drove up to the door; and the Marquis, hastily alighting, was immediately conducted into the drawing-room where Trevelyan awaited his presence, CHAPTER CACL THE OLD MARQUIS AND THE YOUNG LORD, “ My lord, you are a man of honour, I have heard,” began the Marquis, without any prefatory observz- tions; “and I feel assured that you will at onco relieve mo from a most painful state of suspenso. Pardon the excitement which I display—and justify the good opinion I have conceived of you by giving me without delay the information I am about to seck. In a word, where is Agnes—my daughter Agnes—tho young lady whom you have seen walk~ ing in the garden of the secluded cottage near Norwood ?” “Ts that beautiful creature indeed your lordship’s daughter?” exclaimed Trevelyan, not altogether surprised at the announcement: for the agitation which Sir Gilbert Heathcote had shown when thie name of the Marquis of Delmour was montioned, and tho request which he had made to the effect that the residence of Mrs. Sefton should be kept secret, had already created in the mind of Lord William a suspicion of the real truth. *Yes—Agnos is indeed my daughter—and I am proud of her!” cried the Marquis. “But T know thot she was inveigled away from the cottage by one who by her own mother, in fine and I am likewise aware that you subsequently entrusted her to the caro of a lady of your acquaintance. This latter information I obtained from a certain Mrs. Mortimer a “ Tho information was correct, my lord,’”answered Trovelyan. “And now 1 must candidly confess that Ihavoa very difficult part to perform : for I will not condescend to a falschood—sud I dare not roveal the truth. This much, however, I unhesitatingly declare-——that, by a singular coincidence, the lady to whom I conducted your lordship’s daughter proved to be none other than her mother,” Her mother! then sho is at this moment in the care of that woman?” ejaculated the Marquis, his excitement intreasing: “and you will not tell me where I can find them ?” “That is the truth which, as I said ere now, I dare not repeat,” responded Trevelyan, profoundly touched by the evident grief of the old nobleman. “Will you be the means of separating a father from his child?” asked the Marquis, now sinking EConnicloooks (CO)