The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

Robert,” enid the lady, in a tone of rebuke and re- roach. “Oh, as for that ———~ But hush! here he comes {”” The door opened; and Sir Frederick mede his appearance. Anastatia was about to hasten towards “him, when she was suddenly struck by the extreme paleness of his countenance, and by his stern re- pelling demeanour. Lord Rushbrook failed not likewise to observe his brother-in-law’s aspect ; and the misgiving which had been floating in his mind, expanded into an absolute terror. “Isanything the matter, Sir Frederick P” in- quired Lady Anastatia, not daring to advance to- wards that husband who, jnetead of giving her encouragement so to do, appeared by his very look to repel her. . The merchant deliberately closed the door; and ' looking from his wife towards the Viecount—then | » connexion | Ger Goya an eres goa wile back again at his wife—he sutveyed them both with a gase wherein scorn, contempt, indigaation, and aversion were all commingled. Rushbrook was ready to sink with terror —for he now felt assured that the secret of the cash-box had by some means transpired: while Anastatia was smitten with the idea that something fresh had happened in respect to Shadbolt and Madame Angelique. “Sit down, both of you,” said the merchant, at length breaking silence, and speaking in a voice of cold command. “I have certain observations to make—and it is possible they may extend to some length.” “Bat my dear husband,” said Lady Anastatia, advancing a step or two with trembifng hesitation, “your manner is so singuler——" “Do you find it so, madam ?” he asked, flinging upon her a bitter look. “It is not Jikely to im- prove as I proceed with the observations [ have to make. But sit down, I say—and listen to me.” Anastatia sank upon a chair; and the tears be- gan to trickle down her cheeks. Lord Rushbrook, overwhelmed with terror and confusion, drew forth his kerchief and fidgeted nervously with it: but his countenance the while was of cqypse-like ghast- liness. “The reflection of your guilty consciences is visible in your looke,” proceeded Sir Frederick Latham, slowly turning his eyes from one to the other. Anastatia gave a sudden start—echoed the word “ Guilty !”-—and then sinking back in her eeat, ap- peared as if about to faint: for all vital colouring -quitted her cheeks. But still she did not com- pletely lode her consciousness, though a seal had suddenly been placed upon her lips by the feelings which were overpowering her. “You will admit,” continued Sir Frederick in a tone of withering sarcasm, “that it is a splendid family into which I have married, and that I ought to be supremely proud of so brilliant an aristocratic No—instead of being proud of it, I have learnt to loathe and hate it, and to curse the day on which I was guilty of auch besofted folly. But I will tell you where my pride does exist! It is in a regard for the opinion of the world; for I would not have thet world know how egregiously, how miserably I have been duped! Therefore must see Step I am about to take be in a measure glossed over. An excuse—s plea—a reason in such cases need never be wanting. Your temper and a ee eerie ® THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. es ena ee @ oleate ~estei-_4Eeeees Ce 281 mine do nat suit each other, Lady An: tatia,” con- tinued Sir Frederick, with a sort of sardonic mockery that was little consistent with his usual demeanour and accenta; “and therefore we have agreed to separate.” “ Separate P” cried Anastetia with another start; and it was now with a sort of wild bewilderment thet she gazed upon her husband. “'Yos—separate |” rejoined Sir Frederick, who all in an instant had recovered bis habitual cold- nese. “You know how you have deceived me— I might use far seVerer and harsher expressions — but it is not worth while—you cannot fail to com- prehend my meaning——” “My God!” moaned the wretched Avastatis, clasping her hands in anguish. “F admit that I have deceived you! I have been very Sulpable f ———But this chastisement is terrible! Oh, what- soever plea be put forward, the world qill look upon me as disgraced! Suspicion and scorn ever attach themeelves to a woman who is separated from her husband. O, Sir Frederick———”" ° But here her voice was lost in piteous sighs and sobs; and so convulsed became her bosom that i¢ seemed as if it must burst. “ As for you, my lord,” continued the merchent, cold and implacable, as he averted his looks from his agonized wife and turned them upon her brother, “ you will find a ready apology for never again seeking my presence. The brother of a woman who is separated from her husband, is eup- posed to take the woman’s part ; and you need not hesitate, Lord Rushbrook, to proclaim that you can never more think of speaking to me after my con- duot to your sister. I shall not contradict your statement. Let me rather pass in the world as being harsb, arbitrary, and cruel, if you will: bus let me not be regarded as that which I really am —a miserable, despicable, contemptible dupe !” “My God!” murmyred Anastatia: and she wrung her hands with anguish. o “So you see, my lord,” continued Sir Frederick Latham, “you have an casy game to play ; and ce lcag as you play it in the manner I am now dic- tating, your own secrete will be safe with me. But if through malice or by accident you ever let slip a syllable which shall unveil me as a dupe—if you ever breathe a word which may raise a suspicion as to how I have been deceived by this accursed mar- riage of mine—that moment will I proclaim the whole truth to the world! Yes, I will proclaim it to the world—TI will tell how you, Lord Rushbrook, played the part of a vile felon, a villanous robber in my house-———” A half-stifled shriek and another galvanic start denoted the exquisitely excruciating torture which Anastatia was experiencing; and then her half wild, half dismayed looke wandered from the couu- tenance of her husband to that of her brother. “* Hush, hush—for God’s sake, hush !” exelaimed the Viscount, starting up from his seat with a face that was livid through mingled terror, con- fusion, and shame, as he g in a frightened manner towards his sister, and entreatingly to his “Lord Rushbrook,” said the implacable mer- chant, still outwardly cold, though inwardly expe- riencing @ pave 17 ot being enabled to bumble the haughty pride of a scion of that aristocratic family into which be had married,—*“T tell yos gat eee ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)