The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

ee — ad - . - 84 ee ewe GI MYSTERIES OF LONDON, v ness will admit: I shall arn myself against the fasci- | Australia had not impaired her loveliness, nor marred nations of the syren;—and if she offer to release me ; the youthfulness of her beauty: her face—her figura from the pledge of friendship so inconsiderately given, | afforded not an intimation that she had been steeped in I shall not fail to accept with joy the proposed eman- | licentions enjoyments from the age of thirteen until cipation.” But, before he repaircd to Suffelk Street, did he not seck his father to communicate to him the important fact that he had duly followed his counsel and solicited the hand of Lady Frances ?—or did he not obtain an interview with the Earl and acquaint him with the nature of the conversation which had taken place between himself and that nobleman’s daughter? Alas! no:—for it was close upon twelve when the young man received Perdita’s note ;—and he thought that it did not precisely signify-for an hour or tio when he might make those statements; whereas it was necessary to see the syren without delay. Thus reasoned Charles Hatfield to himselfs;—~and the reader will agree with us in deciding that the necessity which constifnuted the excuse for his conduct, Was not quite 50 urgent as he chose to fancy it. Moreover,—since Charles Hatfield resolved to appear as reserved and formal as he well might be, towards Verdita,—it was assurcdly strange that he should devote more than usual attention to his toilette, arranging: his hair in the aest becoming style, and furveying with inward sadsfaction Ins yery handsome countenance in the mirror. The clock struck twelve as he quitted the house + and it was impossible to conceal trom himself the feet that he was rejoiced at having an cacuse to call vpon Perdita. Then, as he proceeded with some decree of rapidity towards Suffulk Street, he could not possibly prevent his imagination fromandulwani a exscting conjectures how Perdita would be dis-cd how she woukl look by day-lyebt -and new «ne weld recive him when she observed bis studied coolness and his constrame of manner. “Poor gard!’ he murmured to himedf: ¢ it she really hoped to find a sincere friend in tae, how wall she bear the disappoitinent which 1s in store for her? It prieves me—Oh! it prieves me to be compelled to inflict a wenn upon her gentle heart; but duly—yes, my duty towards Lady Trances leaves me no alterna- tive.” With a beating teart be knocked at the door ;—and in less than amunute he was conducted to the draw - Ingg-room, Where Perdita was waits to reveive him, The young Jady was dressud in an Cleant: moonine wrapper; aud, the weather bene intensely het, the ribbands which shouhl bave fastened it: round her neck, were eft untied, su that it remained open at the bozom. Her hair was arranged in bands, and she wore a cap of the slightest material, but the snowy whiteness of which enhanced the glossy richness of there luxuriant smas-cs that cruwned her fine fore- head. Jler Jarge grey eyes, with their dark pupils, were as bright and lustrous a3 on the preceding even- ing; and the noun-day sun detrated not from the exquisite whiteness of the neck and shoulders, and the healthy hues of the compleatmn of the countenance, Which bad shone lo such advantage by esndle-hyht. No: Perdita was as ravi bingly beautiful on this occasion, ay on the furmers;—and here was a freshne-s —yes, even an appearance of virgin freshness, abuut her, matured and developed as her charms were, which caunteracted the impression that her wanten looks and the forwardness of her manucr might ctherwise have; ehip— she embarked on beard the ship that wafted her to lengland. The moment Charles Hatfield entered the room, he was struck by the enchanting loveliness of Perdita as much as he had been on the preceding evening—in- decd, as completely as if this were the first time that he had ever seen her. For an instant he stopped short as if he dared not proceed further within the sphere of that Circean influence which a warning voice within his soul scemed to declare was alluring him on to total destruction. but, fascinated as is the tremulous bird by the eye of the serpent, he advanced towards the beautiful creature who rose from the sofa to re- ceive him. Then as he felt her warm hand in his,—as her coun- tenance beamed upon him in all the glory of its love- liness,—~as her soft, musical, and delicious voice flowed upon his ear, burne on a breath fragrant as the per- fume of flowers, and issuing from lips that seemed to have robbed the rese of its tint,—he felt his stern re- solves thawing within lim, and experienced the Imes possibility of manifesting coolness towards a creature of such exquisite charms and such rare fascinations. “T thank you, my dear friend, for this punctuality,” she said, gently drawing him to a seat by her side on the sefx, where she resumed her place. “ Have you thought of all that passed between us last evening >— ant have vou reflected that we played the part of silly children in pledging eternal friendship, total strangers as we were to each other?—or did you regard the proceeding as a natural and solemu compact, to be luviolably maintained 2?” “Wherfore these questions, Perdita?” enquired Charles, dazzled by the impassioned looks that were fttxed upon him. “ Have you yourself repented y “Po never repent of any thing that I may do,” an- swered Perdita, hastily. “Ido nothing without be- tae convineed befyrchand that Fam acting judiciously and properly; and whet TJ most appear to be the child ef impulse, Toam oon theee oecasiuns the most con- siterate, cautious, and reflective. But this may not be the case with yous and, therefure, it was incumbent upon me ty accertain your feeling in respect ——” “In respect to that friendship which | have sworn !”" exchumed Charles, no longer master of himself. ‘Not for worl ls would To reeall the pledye } gave-——" “Thon we are fricnds—friends in the manner I had hoped we should be,” said the young woman. “ But it was necetsary that I should be assured of this before IT spake to you on a subject which otherwise woud have been indifferent to you,” she added, bend- my on her companion a look that seemed to invite him to kiss the red, pouting lips which, now parting with a delicious smile, revealed her sumewhat large, but pearly, even, and admirably shaped teeth. “ Proceed, my dearest—dearest friend,” exclainved Chailes, no Jonger thinking of Lady Frances, but tutally abserbed in the fuscination whieh attracted lim towards the bewitching Perdita, «You call ne vour friend—and it is.as a friend that L with to consult you, Charles,” said the young wo- man, heaving a deep sigh, “ You must know that, singular being that Io may appear to yeu, and even unmaidenly hasty in forming so sincere a fri nd- + : created in respect to her virtue. er depravity in| * No-mno; you obeyed tne dictates of 2 ganerene wee wes eee cee es = oe —_— se -~w~ ¢ @& me Re 6 EE op (CO) GIOOKS (CO)