The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 195: what you’re looking at

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¢ eput where Marchmont. had been discovered in a eenseless condition. But Madame Angelique-made nob the slightest allusion tv the words whioh, the Duke had eo uncoussious|y spokon in the carriage, when gradually arousing frum a state pf insensi- bility. “The fact is,” said the Duke, after he had ox- pressed his thanks to the ex-milliner for a)l her kindness, as well as fur tho prudential caution which she had used in respect to his name, “I took out my purse to give that rufflan relief—in the twinkliug of an eye did he knock me from my borse—I rewembered nothing more until I found wyself seated by your side in the carriage, My nurse; my watcli, my rings are gone——”’ “J felt assured you had been rabbed,” said. Ma- dame Angelique, “ when in the carriage I naticed that thore was vot any jowellery about your per- son. But tell me, my lurd—was there not some- thing strauge about that man — that villanous- looking Lascar f" “ There might be,” said the Duke dryly. ‘You have a beautiful place here-—-—I intended to come and call upon you———I did not cxactly know where your habitation was situated —agd little did I auspect just now that I was passing my old friend Madame Angelique’s carriage,” added his Graco, with a familiar smile, The ex-millinor saw that the Duke did not wish to be questioned in respect to the Lasour, and she therefure said not another word upon the subjeet. There were other topica which she alyo avoided— although she might have touched upon them; for the presence of. the Duke had conjured them up to her memory, She might havo intimated her suspicion that he was.nvt altogether a stranger to the murderous attempt on the life of Sagoonah at Bayswater: but Madame Angelique beheld no utility in discussing such: matters; and moreover ehe had hoped, when retiring strom her own equi- vocal avocations, that she might entirely wash: her hands of all the perilous intrigueaand machinations into which eBé had at one time been.Jed by the Duke of Marchmont. “I do not wish this little affair tobecome bruited abroad,” said his Grace, thus-alluding to his ad- venture with the ferocious Lascar. “It is trouble- some to have the police set to work-~and all that sort of thing.” “Nothing need transpire,” answered Madame Avgelique: “I will tell my domestics that you are a Mr, Cavendish—or Vitgherbert—or some other fashiquable name—and thatas you are immediately going on.the Continent, you do not think it worth while ta delay your departure for the purpose of causing a purauit, which perhaps may prove in- effectual, to be instituted after the i Lasear.” The Duke thanked Madame Auelique for her readiness in managing the matter gucording to his inclination; and under: the nar% of Mr. Cavene dish. he remained to dine withfuer. ©By about nine o'clock. in the evening: his Graeo was so- perfectly recovered as to be enabled to mount his. horse and vide bome.to Reigrare Square, ( ee ee eee - = - ad THS MYSTERIKS OF THE COURT ———_-2 OQWUAPTER OXX. THE LATHAMS. Tu seene.of this narrative shifts‘to a large and very handsome suburban mansiun, situated at Balbam: Hull. This thrivin fistrict, in a con- venient vicinage of the mete olis, fromisos to be come completely fashionable, and to acquire « reputation on that soore equal to Clapham. Tudor House-——the mansion of which we aro speaking—was situated in the midst of spacious grounds, which had however been too recently laid out for perfect beauty, but which were nevertheless sufliciontly attractive. Indeed, it was quite evi- dent that no oxpeneo had boen apared upun either the tmanaiun or the prounds, by Sir Frederick Latham, the ovner of the property. This gentle- man was aboyt fifty years of age—a partner 1n one of the most ominent mercantile firms in the City gf Londun; aud He was exceedingly rich. Tho house tv which ho belonged had enj»yed oppor- tunities of rendering, at various times, financial services to the Guovornment; and thus, while a Pecrage was conferred upon the senior partner, a Baronotey was bestowed upon the second. Tkis was: how Sir Frederick. Latham obtained the title which he now possessed. Ho had somewhat recently marrted the daughtor of a noble but impoverished family,—a Lady in her ewn right: and thus-his wife enjoyed the pni- vilege of profixing her Christian to her surname on all ocoasione—which will account fur the fact of her being styled Lady Anastatia Latham. She was about one-and-twenty years of age and very beautiful. It was not however beauty alone which characterized her; there was something singularly interesting in the expression of her countenanve as well ae softly winning and unstudiously fascinating in her manners. Her features were regular, her nuse being perfectfy straight, the forehead not ¢00 high to be dissimilan fom the style.of beauty de- dined by the Greciaw statues; while her brows were superbly arehed and wellidivided: thus giving an open frankness to the whole countenance. Hor eyes were large and of a deep blue, full of a soft lustre, which seldom indeed concentrated itself in the lightning-flaeh of strong passion, but shining with that sorene steadinesa and evenness which seemed to indicate the goodness, and gentleness, and benevolence of her disposition. About the mouth there was a: singular beauty, not merely in its chi- aelling: but also in: ite expression. Its formation was. purely classical: in respect to the upper lip, which was arched Jike Cupid’s bow: the under lip was fullet-and: richer, but without conveying the slightest impression of sensucusness on the part of Anastatia. Hor hair was of a rich brown; and ot such luxurianca was it—with so: superb a gloss too resting upon the sarface—that ib was no wonder if she-generaily yrore it without any ornaments either of geme or flowers, but ss if consaious that: it be- came her best in the unadurned wealth of: its own natural loveliness: In. heavy trosses and. in, mas- alve clusters did: ib flomt upon hen shoulders, and form as it were a background for a neok of dazaling whiteness: for Anastatia’s complexion was sweetly pure and tranepenent. She was. tell and well- formed,—the contours of the Hebe: combising with & ee eng pe me ee or oF atrtaeareirnapiagas COMIC OOOKS. COR