The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 253: what you’re looking at

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

340 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. before he had time to open it, Meredith had| “Indeed, my lord,” answered the Baron, dart- wrested it from his clutch, and had hurled it to « ing a quick but scarcely perceptible glance at Ove distance. Almost immediately afterwards the | tavian’s countenance, “I do not see any reason for sunds of footsteps were heard approaching: the | this alarm: and methought that you yourself just ruffien made one last and desperate effort to free | now, when you first joined our party———” himeelfs and he would pussibly have succeeded| “All things considered,” chimed in the notary, were it not that two of the forest police rashed up | “it would be advisable to procure an escort, We to the spot. all know—and therefore it is no secret, unless, The fellow was taken prisoner ; and Meredith | indeed, Lord Octavian Meredith be the only one hastily made certain communications to the police- ignorant of the fact—that M. Volney insisted upon officers. Hoe then left them to bear away their | giving his beloved daughter a munificent dower, all captive, while he retraced his ‘steps tq the inn. | of which is in bank-notes and specie While proceeding thither he adjusted his garments| ‘You speak as if every one knew it,” inter- which had been disordered by the struggle; and | rupted the notary’s wife. “Why, my dear, here with his kerchief he wiped off, as well as he was/is the Baron de Margaux who may perhaps be able, the dirt-stains which his “clothes had caught | ignorant of the fact, inasmuch as he only reached during the conflict. the Chateau at an early hour this morning, and On reaching the inn, the young nobleman as- | the marriage settlements were signed last evening.” cended to the apartment where be had ieft the; “My friend the Baron is not ignorant upon bridal pair, Zoe, the notary and his wife—and | the point,” said the Viscount Delorme; “ for where he now likewise found the Baron. This | having no secrets from one with whom [ have been individual immediately accosted him, and said if intimate, and to whom [| am indebted for my “Go your lordship thought it worth while, after’ very life, I failed not to mention M. Volney’s in- alj, to go and use your influence with the: post. | tended mynificence when I met the Baron some master——At least I presume that this has béen | few days back in the village, and when I pressed the object for which you have issued forth P” him to be of the bridal party to-day.” “T have not spoken to the postmaster,” replied; ‘“ Well, really,” said the notary, with impa- Lord Octavian. “ But may I ask you what satis- | tience, “it matters not amongst us all here who fattion you have obtained from him ?” knows or who does not knew the fact to which I “The horses will be in readiness almost | refer. It is sufficient that there is thie large sum directly,” answered the Baron, for a moment eye- | in the first carriage to render it expedient that we Sng Meredith in a peculiar manner—and then im- | should have an escort. The half-hour that we were mediately caressing his moustache with a sort of | to tarry here, has already grown into an hour— careless indifference. the shades of evening are coming on “ What is the matter with you, my dear ZoeP’’| The notary’s speech was suddenly iatdbrupted asked Olarine, now advancing towards her friend, | by an incident which produced a startling effect. drawing her aside, and thus speaking to her in a| The Baron de Margaux was about to issue from whisper. ‘ You look pale, troubled, and excited. | the room,—when Lord Octavian Meredith bounded You appear as if you were endeavouring to con- | towards him; and ares him forcibly by the eeal something that is vexing youP I had hoped | arm, exclaimed, **No!—you canvot be permitted that with your husband restored to you—and | to depart hence!” after the assurances which you have found an op-| For an instant the countenance of the Baron portunity‘ot giving me, to the effect that you are | displayed a ghastly expression ; and he staggered ” as if smitten a viglent blow with an invisible hands but the next instant the blood rushed to his face; and assuming the haughtiest demeanour, he said, “ My lord, this conduct so unwarrantable—so out- now completely happy ‘* Dearest Clarine,” interrupted Zoe, also speak- ing in a whisper, “ It is not for this that I am troubled. On the contrary, I have every reason to be happy! But I see that the moment is come when, according to a hint witch I have re- ceived from Lord Octavian, I am to prepare you for something. Start not, my dear Clayine—” “Good heavens, what mean youP” ejaculated the Viscountess; and as she was thrown off her guard, or rather, we should say, alarmed by Lady Octavian’s words, she spoke more loudly than she had intended. The Viscount Delorme immediately turned towards her; and he at once perceived that terror was depicted on his bride’s countenance, as well as a painful anxiety on the features of Zoe. “Has anything P” haked the Viscount, with a tone and look that were full of a tender con- “Ah! I comprehend it! You both tremble ad ad the iden of passing through that forest——” “Aga natural enough,” interrupted Lord Octa- whee, “Do you not think, Baron, it is natural rg these ladies should be affrighted at of venturing amidst the mases of that forest which is now rendered eo hideously memora- ble by the tragedy of last night.” rageous—— “We shall see whether I am not justified in what IT am doing |"” said Octavian, in whom a remark. able change had taken place: for while he re- tained his hold upon the Baron, his looks expressed loathing and horrbr, mingled with the sternest re- solve. “ My lord, what means this?’ asked the Vis- count Delorme, stepping forward. “ Glarine, my dearest friend,” Zoe hastily whis- pered to the Viscountess, “ prepare yourself for a horrible revelation———” “ Unhand me, my lord!” thundered forth the look, as he thus addressed himself to Lord Octavian. Bat scarcely were the words spoken, when hasty atid heavy footeteps were heard rushing up the ataircase—the door was flung open—three or four police-officers burst into the room—and the Baron De Margaux was seized upon as their prisoner. “ Away with him from our sight !’* exelaimed Lord Octavian Meredith: “away with that foul murderer |” Baron De Margaux, with a perfect ferocity in hie . | ree < oe ee Ge I ote 28 Ce en ee Oe n- 2 ened ee *® eee eee eee ES Fe a Oe Se a a ASG a a a dd ecomniclacclks (CO)