The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 375: what you’re looking at

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370 THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON, ‘ a ee wall, and then help you up, Wo will soon make light work of it” But scarcely were these vrords uttered, when a dark shadow appeared at the end of the lanc—~ and in another moment Jask Rily and Mrs. Morti- mer beheld a man hastening towards them. The old woman instinctively drew close up to her powerfal confederate for protection, in case mischief shonld bo intended; and scarcely was this movement effected, when the causo of apprehension was closo up to the spot where she and Rily were standing in the deep shade of the wall, At that instant the moon-beams foll fully npon the man’s countenance; and acry of horror burst from the lips of Mrs, Mortimer as she recognised her terrible enemy—Vitriol Bob! Simultaneously with that cry, an ejaculation of rage escaped from Jack Rily, who, dashing the old woman away from him, sprang towards the formidable foc. But ere the sounds of the ery and the ejaculation had died in tho air, Vitriol Bob, nimbly eluding the attack of the Decto:, raised above his lead some- thing which his right hand prasped; and although tho blow was intended for Jack Rily, it fell with Qn ominous crash full upon the countenance of Mrs. Mortimer, who, striving, to.escapo, but bewil- dared by terror, was running across the Jane, in front of Vitriol] Bob, at tho instant. Thon—O heavons! what a shrick of agony—what a yell of indescribablo anguish broke upon the silenco of the night—rending tho air with its pierc- ing sound, and ruising echoes of even more horri- fying wildness throughout the neighbourhood. Vitriol Deb fled in ono direction—Jack Rily in another; and the old woman was abandoned, alike by friend and foe, to her wretched fate! But—-see! tho lights gleam in the windows of the very villa which was to have beon the sceno of a herrible murder: the painful yells, which still continne to beat tho air with their agonising vi- brations, have aroused the Count ot Carignano— aroused also tho lovely creature in whose arms he was sleeping, The valet and Rosalie likewiso start from their respective couches; and the young Italian nobleman and tho man-servant, having has- tily thrown on some clothing, descend into the Btreot, The cries proceed from tho lane: they rush to the spot—and thero upon the ground thoy behold a female writhing like a stricken snake, evidently in the most horrible tortures. What can it mean ? Thoy do not wait to ask the question: but, rais- ing tho wretched sufferer from tho ground, they bear her into the house—her shrieks and screams lacerating their cars all tho time, and her contor- tions and writhings boing so powerful that they can scarcely carry her along. Tho neighbours have likowiso been alarmed: but none have imitated the examplo of the gencrous young Italian, and descended from their bed-rooms toafford assistance. Theyloolk forth from their win- dows—satisfy themselves that aid 7s at hand—and, believing tho uproar to bo created by somo poor wo- man in a fit, close the curtains and hasten back to bed again. In the meantime the Count of Carignano and hig valethave bornethe writhing—yelling sufferer into the hall; and Laura descends the stairs with a candle in her hand. She has thrown on a dress- ing-gown and thrust her naked feet into slippors; oes and ‘her magnificent hair floats in massy undula-~ tions and luxuriant waves over her fine shoulders and her ample bosom. But searecly do the rays of the light fall upon the countenance of the sufiering wretch, when the Count of Carignano starts back in horror, exclaiming, “Merciful God! do my eyes deceive me ?—~is it possible? Laura, dearest———” "Tis my mother!” cried the young lady, hasten ing up to the spot where the old woman lay writh- ing and screaming fearfully upon the mat, “Ah! that voico 1” said the dying Mrs, Mortimer, suddenly desisting from the outpourings of ineffable agony, as the musical tones of her daughter fell upon her cars: “ Laura—is it indeed you? Come near—give me your hand—I cannot see you—— My God! Iam blind—tho fiend—tho wretch Come near, I say——Oh! Iam dying—and this is the beginning of hell i “ Mothor—mother!” exclaimed Laura, whose heart was touched by witnessing tho appalling prin that writhed the form of the old woman, “Forgive me, my child—forgive me,” gasped the dying wretch: “I came to But all is growing dark in my tind as well as my eyes forgive me, I say — forgive me —— Oh! God!” sho suddenty Shricked forth,—" this—this that I feol now must be Death !” As these words fell from the old woman’s tongue amidst gasps of agony, convulsions seized upon hor --and she expired in the most shocking agonies, omerrenm nay ea) CHAPTER CXCVI, RESOLUTIONS, WE must now return to Lord Willinm Trevelyan, who, in pursuance of the promiso made to the Mar- quis of Delmour, proceeded, the moment after that nobleman had left him, to the villa at Bayswater, Which he reached shortly after mid-day; and ho was at once conducted into the presence of Mrs, Sefton. This lady was alone in tho parlours; and the young nobleman immediately porceived thatshe had been weoping—although she endeavoured to conceal the fact beneath a smiling countenanco as sho rose to welcome him. “My dear friend,” sho satd,in a voice rendered tremulous by deep emotions; “how can I ever suf- ficiently thank you for your gencrosity-your un- paralleled goodness, in adopting such measures to procure the liberation of Sir Gilbert Heathcote?” “You have, then, seen him?” observed Tre- velyan, . ‘He has but this moment left me,” was tho slow and mournful response: and, after a short pause, Mrs. Sefton said, as she sank back into her chair, ‘ Our interview was at first 1 most joyous ones/but at the end most melancholy.” “Teannot understand sou,” exclaimed Trovelyan, seating himself near her. * Nevertholess, it is not my intention to affect any farther mystery, with regard to myself or my affairs, towards you,” said Mrs. Sefton, hastily wiping away tho tears that had started to her eyes, and composing her features with tho sudden resolution of ono who has determined upon tho particular course which duty suggests. “ Your conduct—the generosity of your dispositioy—and tho attachment which you EConnicloooks (CO)