The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 316: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERINS OY SHE COURT. was qunounced. Stanhope detested Christian, for the reasons which are already known to the reader ; but still he had a strong feeling of curiusity to learn what our hero could possibly have to say to him, This feeling therefore imparted to Stanhope’s man- ner a certain tincture of eagerness, which pre- vented it from appearing sullenly constrained, as it otherwise would have been. As for Christian himeelf, he was cold and distant—while his coun- tenance wore a look of resolution, which added to Stanhope’s cyriosity, though without awakening rie fears; for he little euspected what was to fol- ow, Qur hero bade him be seated ; and also taking a chair, be said, “Mr. Stanhope, Iam about to ad- dress you in a manner for which you are evidently not prepared: but there is a fixed determination in my mind—and I warn you at the very outset that you will have to bend to it.” “It would seem, Mr. Ashton,” replied Stanhope, “that you wish to fight another duel with the least possible delay.” e “Rest assured, sir,” retorted our herp, but in a calm dignified manner, * that you are not in a position to demand any satisfaction atemy hands!” “ Perhaps, sir, you will come tu the point,” said Stanhope; “fur 1 hate enigmas.” “You must know, then,” proceeded Christian, “that you are so completely in my power that you will presently ¢& henco with me to a place whither I propose to conduct you-—-or on the other hand you will take. your departure in the custody o” an officer of justice.” Stanhope started, and turned very pale; for as the reader may suppose, his conscience was none of the purest, and there was moro than one wmis- deed at which words so ominously vague might probably pvint. “ It may perhaps be sufficient,” continued Chris- tian, “to allude to a certain visit of yours to Oak- lands———”’ “Ohj if that’s your game,” ejaculated Stan- hopo, with a sudden feeling ofsrelief as well as with accents of acorn, “I can afford to Jaugh at it, and perhaps at the same tite chastise you for your impertinence in daring to doal in menacing language with me. The story is too old, Mr. Ash- ton! The Duke is not in a condition to say a word upon tho subject : the Duchess does not want it revived; and your simplo testimony in a court of justice would bo utterly valueless. What on| 5 eearth your motive can be in furbishing up an old weapon, I cannot conceive——'’s “Be not so hasty, Mr. Stanhopo,” interrupted our hero; “ you and I are alluding to two differont things. I was not for a moment thinking of that visit of your’s to Oaklands, when, as a conspirator against the reputalion and the happineis of an amiable and innocent lady, your base desigus were frustrated ——” “Then what do you allude to?” inquired Stan- hope, now turning pale once more: for something beyond a mere suspicion of the truth naturally flashed to his mind. > “T allude to another visit, Mr. Stanhope, which you paid to Oaklande:”—and Obristian fixed his fine dark eyes significantly upon the conscience- stricken man. “ You perceive therefore that it is @ visit of a more recent date———” “Well, and what then?” demanded Stanhope, Se nae tne, mates mateuagen a aS ETI IIS os ende.vouring to assume au air of bravado and da- fiance. “Suppose that I went down ta dine aad pass the night at Oaklands —is thore anything very extraordinary, considering the terms of intimacy on whieh I have been with the Duke——" “ A horrible intimacy, Mr. Stanhope!” replied Christian impressively ; ‘the intimacy of crime!” “Crime P” be ejaculated, with another start. “Yes, crime!” repeated our hero, with « still stronger emphedes than before. “Oh, sie | were it not necessary that this igterview should harp taken pjace, I wquld not have willingly invited to my presende a mén who eould have covily de- liberated over his wine upon a deed of murdey !— a man who wae prepared to sell himself asp bravo for the gold proffered by 9 misereant who bad nos the courage to undertake the deed with his own aod!” e Stanhope sat pale and ghastly, listening in min- gled terror and consternation to the words which came withering and scathing feqm Christian’s Ips. “'Yoa eee, Mr. Stanhape,” continued our hero, “that more is known ef your misdeeds than you yourself had fancied; and perhaps you begin to feel that you are veritably in my power! Every detail of the incidents that eveurred and of the conversation which took place on that memorable night of which I am speaking, is known to Wer The Duke purposed to hire you as an assassin; and you were qilling to be hired! But at firet you haggled at the terms. fifteen thousand pounds was the price specified: you insisted on immediate payment—the Duke was equally firm ‘in rejecting the demand! Ah! it was no wonder,” exclaimed Obristian, with infinite abhorrence and loathing, “that there should have been muoh dis- trust between two such men” Stanhope, gasped with an attempt to make some reply; but he could not give utterance to its the words wavered and died upon bis ashy quivering ips. “At length,” continued Christian, entering into all these detaila for the purptte of over- Whelming the man whom he sought to reduco com- pletely into his® power,—“at length the compro- mise was effected between villanous cupidity on the one hand and sterling villany on the other; and fur one-halfgthe sum which I have named—to be paid in advance—you agreed, Mr. Stanhope — yea, ou ») “ Eneugh, Mr. Ashton!” exclaimed the wretched man. “What would you do with me ?—what would you have me doP Speak—speak !—but spare me and be merciful!” ‘ “ You see,” resumed Christian, “that when at the outset I warned you that you were in my power, I did not speak in vain. All thet I have now told you can be proved, Mr. Stanhope, in s court of justice—and shall be proved too, unless you do my bidding!” ° “Ab! ever since that dreadful night,” said Stanhope, in @ voice that was tremulous with intngled fear and horror, “I have entertained the must terrible auspicidns in respect to a certain personage—I mean the Duke of Marchmont. Tell me, is anythiug traaspiring-———” “ Ask me no questiona |" interrupted Christian ; ® but prepare at onoe to accompany we from this house to a place whither I shall take you. If yon 60 Eee see my COLUM LOAO© SS (CO)