The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

Tho old man did as he was bidden; and on qeit. ting the house, he bent his way direct to an attorney of whom he had some little previous knov ledge. Mrs. Oxenden, having thus dismissed her hus- band, retired to her toilet-chamber, to dress for her afternoon’s ride in her magnificent carriage. She opened the casket containing the splendid dia- monds, and conjempleted them with satisfaction and triumph. She had not as yet rung for her maid: she was alone in that dressing-room. .I¢ was elegantly appointed : every possible that could be introduced into such a place, was to be observed there. A velfet curtain, with a mas- sive gold fringe, separated it from the bath-room, which was also most luxuriously fitted up. the bath-room was a little ante-chamber, commani. cating with the bed-room on one side, and having @ private staircase on the other,—this being for the accommodation of the lady’s-maid, who could thus in a few moments attend to the summons of the bell without being forced to take the more cirouit- ous roéte of the principal staircase of the hougs? Such at least was the original aim of the arshitect who planned the commodious dwelling; though in the case of Mrs, Oxenden we shall speedily And that the flight of stairs just alluded to served an- other purpose. . She was in the midst of her contemplation of the diamonds, when ber ear caught the sound of a doar gently opening and shutting; and a smile appeared upon her countenance. There was a light atep traversing the bath-room: the velvetc was partially put aside for a moment; and an elegant young gentleman revealed himself to the eyes of the lady. But not unknown to her was be: nor was he an unwelcome intruder there. On the con- trary—she ht once received him in her arms; end as she caressed him with all the burning entliu- siasm of her impassioned temperament, she ‘said, “Dearest, dearest Alexis!” “Yuu seo that I have availed myself of your permission as well as of the key,” responded the visitor, as he returned those cargsees. He was perhaps one of the most beautiful youths on whom the eyes of woman ever rested lovingly. He was not above one-and-twenty, and possessed features 60 delicately chiselled that if he had been dressed up in feminine garb, he might easily have as a lovely specimen of the fair sex. His face was ‘altogether beardiess: Lis hair was of a rich brown, and curled naturally : his eyes were of a violet blue—bis lips somewhat full, but perfectly well shaped. His figure, which was exceedingly slender, was of the most elegant symmetry: be had a sweet musical voice; and he knew how to modu- 361 was the mistress who proposed to keep him as her paramour, As in complicated machinery there are wheels within wheels, 20 in respéct to this woman there were depravities within depravities; and she who was the wife of one man and the paid mistress of another, became the paying mistress of a third who, as we have said, served as her paramour. “ My dear Alexis,” she ssid, “I have an excel- lent story to tell you :”-—and she af once related how ahe had purchased the dilmonds, thereby re- hatevif on Colonel Tressiign, and at the j- giving the Dake of Marohmont another | er which she was. despotieally re- ever him. laughed y—nob because he really ly amusing in the affair, beeanse bh pecocived that, the ledy herself tveat it in that agresable light. The H. & F i 3. 4 z [ g gf 6 therefdve understands that he was one creatures who for their own seem tu forget the sex to which ii Bs i | i & 40d practise towards the depraved heen those cajolerics, wheedlings, pervile } which kept women are usually wont 19 observe toWlrds those who pension them. * But ave not afraid,” he inquired, “that the Duke qdnsider you are going a little too far? Or have. you, succeeded in gaining such a “You, dearest Alekis,” anawered Mrs. Oxenden, “I Ades genet thas power over the Duke of “Tt ia an ieamense. power,” enid young Oliver musingty; and the idda stole into hig mind that it must have some other source then mero infatus- tion on the Dake’s part. “But how,” he inquired, how, tpy aweetest and dearest friend ——”’ “You must not question me, Alexis, on that poiut,” interrupted Oxenden, “T have pro- mised to make you guy confidant in most things -——-Indeed I love you so much that I feel dis- posed to give you all my confidence: but there is that one poin§-—-7” "9 E odder you have ob- er over the Duke of Marchmont. ant does not harbour the slightest suspi- #Thag I receive visits from you P” exclaimed Mrs. Oxenden. “Ob, no! nof And now I will tell you of a splendid plan which I have set on foot,—-a plab, my dear Alexis, that when realised, will enable me to do great things for you. What should you think ‘£ you were to behold me a Dushess P” “A Duchess? exclaimed the young gentleman, starting with mingled astonishment and delight. “Is it possible you entertain such ahope? But have you forgottéh that the Dake of Marehmons is already married f” “IT bave not forgotten it,” answered Mrs. Oxenden: “on the contrary, i¢ is the principal Mrs. | obstacle-~busé still it is not. invincible. No obstacle ) “But you is too great for ove who hes the energy to grapple with it;—and that enetgy is mine, Alexis—you know that it is mine {* : yourself are married!” cried the with increasing bewilderment. ® Pig 3 COMIC OOOKS. COR