The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 275: what you’re looking at

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

“Ligen, Alexis—and I will give you a proof of my confideses. My husband is about to com- mence a protdes against the Duke of- Marohmont: he will af course suceesed—and then he will sue for a divores from myself. In this aleo he will auceeed } and on the day of hie stiocess I betome freed from matrimonial tranimels. So fat #0 good —is it not” - “Up to that point indeed,” replied Alexie, “ the project is admirable. But ia respect to the Duke—"’ ‘ “ Listen to me again,” proceeded Mte Oxenden. “The Duchess of Marohmdnt is a: Well-principlied lady; and think you not that ele would bé shocked af she learnt thet her husband was mahitaising a mistress in a most sumptutué: manher P—thitk you not thaé she would remonsteate with Nitn—dnd that when she found that redionstrandes failed, the would beeome indignant—ehe welll fesl Ret own position to be insupportable-ehe Would ede for a divorce? And are thefe not modes of gonding her up to that point ? are thors 1idb sual things af auonymone letters, for iastauce ?atid.chtin my Alexis, bescome my asslétant te a dertain tunt in working cut thede alma? It is for you to pen the letters which still make the D of Marchmont aware of het hipbaiid’s proosedtngs. Lot the very first convey to her the intelligence that he has expended thousands of pouddd in pire chasing diamonts for his miistrésd! Let epistie follow upon epistle; and let each ane be written in torms which shall wound the pride of thd Ducheus to an intolerable extent! I vepdat, we will goad ber to desperation, sd that if she Have culy the ordinary feelings of wodiat, sé will etek tu sepurate herself from the mam Who toate her thas. Yes, Alexia, there must be 4 double divorce; and then—Oh! théw,” added Mrs. Oxetiden, with a triumphant expression of Gollbtenancd, “ trust to no to compel~yes, I use the word b= the Duke of Marthnivhe to coadutt me fo the altar {” “These are grand soliemes!” eaid Aletis; “ and you know that I will enter into thet. Only tell mo how I ami to act--——” e «We will s0 arrange the detail of our proeced. ingé,” said Mre. Oxenden, “ that they shall be cer. tain to result in success. I am prepared for all their intricactes: I do not blud myself to the magnitude of the obstaties which I"have to en counter. But I possess the requisite energy! In- deed, Alexia, it is a stake worth playing fer! And you whom I love 0 well,—you Who have inspired me with a passion such as séver beforé burnt in this heart of mine-——” “Qh, wy adored friend!” exclaimed the youth, clasping the infamuus woman in his aritis: “ how rejviced should I be to hail you as Duchess of Marchitnont !” We need nob varty our report of this conversa. tiot any further: but before concluding the chap- ter, we will make a few dbsortations. As sircady atated, Alexie Oliver was only playing & subtle and tredébetuas part. He in reality éxporieteed iiot the attachment towards Msd. Osenden : it is parpose to becénie her pensivned péramioune-and therefore to flatter. let in every sense and to fal] into her views. On the other hard Mrs. Oxenden was completely infatuated with him; abd the wonted strength uf ber sha- gacter was positivbly absurbetl in the weakness of q THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. this passtot. Blinded thereby, she whe ready to give him her tompletest confidenve: she fancied that he was dincere in all he sdid—that he loved her with the ardour that he professed—and that it was hetself, and not hot purse, that was the object of his devotion. annie OHAPTER OXAXYVI. THE LAWYER'S OFFICE. TmR scene shifts to a. lawyer's office in Bedlord Row, Holborn. The name of Mr. Coleman was upon the door-post; and that he was in a very Aouriating way of business, might bo judged from the fiet that bo kept numerous clerks —that the cat. ridges of wealthy clients were often seeh stupping at bie door—that thé tid-cases of his own private f¥om vontained deeds of imttiende exlue an‘ im- , portdtio’, off whicli he was the custodian—and that fs docount at his banker's was always one which etidered hits a valuable customer. Mr, Coleman had n68 as yet reached the prime of life: he was intelliirent atid dctive— atid he bore an unblemished obdracten, It was about three o'clock in the afternoon that My. Redoliffe ontered the clerks’ office, and in- quired if My, Coleman weredisengaged P By the voupectful thannct in which the query was answored, and by the alatrity with whioh one of the clorka hudtened to cdriduct Mr. Redoliffe up-stairs to tho lawyer's room, it might be judged that the visitor Was & Client of no idsignifirant idipurtance. Mr. Colewian receivdd him with the utmost respoct ; 4nd when the olerk hdd retired, the man of busi- newt bdid, “I expected you, Mr. Redcliffe. It is fot to-tlay! And let me hope that the result will be ds you have expected—and that the time is not far dietant when I shall bo enabled to address: you by another naine.” P “ Heaven grant that it may be do!” replied Mr. Redoliffe: and then, as an expression of the deepest anxiety, and evotfof intense anguish, passed over his cdudtehabve, he added, “ Ob, this specios of un- tiattiral warfure which I am waging——it tonds tty heart!” “And yet, my lord—Mr. Redellffe, £ mean,” said the lawyer, thus suddenly currecting himself, “if the wartare iteelf be unnatural, it has been by the _aaudt Unnatural ciretimatauevs forced upon rr . "Yes—Gud knows it was not of my seeking !* rejoined Mr. Redcliffe: “ or at least the original dduses thetéof-———Hut to matter! Let us trust torthe issté. Are you confident that Armytage will cortie P” “ Yea—he is certains,” replied Mr. Colethan. ¢ He will conte to sue for time :—perhaps he wil: eve ask fot farther advatives ——o” « Think you,” inquited Mr, Redcliffe, his coui- téhante dseuthidg at expression that was half gloviny, half gad,—“ think you that the web has a cow pletely olused in atound hit-—-” “[ agi donvinced of it! feplied the lawyer. “TY have watched his progreds day and night, 1 might althost ety—I tiave fathumed all big proveed- ings—I have ponetrated all the desperate ventures in which hé hae enibarked ; ahd I know that his failure has béeh signal and ddmplete! ° € EO NOG (CO)