The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 317: what you’re looking at

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re ere nn td 304 value your own safety, your compliance is the only means of ensuring it. Refuse—and you know the alternative |” Christian walked to the window. It was an improvised and aimless movement at the instant ¢ but as he glanced through the panes, he beheld a police-constable slowly passing on the opposite side of the street. ‘Refuse, Mr. Stanhope,” he exclaimed, “and the presence of that officer makes you aware of the alternative to which you will have to sub- emit {”” Stanhope mechanically started from his chair, and likewise glancing from the window, beheld the officer opposite. I[¢ naturally struck him that Christian bad purposely ensured the mai’s attend- ance there; and with a ghastly countenance, he said, in a hoarse voice, “ Spare me, I gntreat you ! Bid me do what you qwili~and I obey blind- fold {” “JT, at least,” answered Obristian impressively, “am ‘ineapable of ordering you to accomplish a crime! Great have your misdeeds beey,; and if you would avoid ‘their consequences, you willgnow come with me. Your absence from Loudon may last come days; if there be any one to whom you wish to convey asi intimation to this effect, write a note at once, and it shall be duly delivered {” tanhope, availing himself of this' permission, penned a few lines to Marion; and at the same time Ohbrietian sat down at the table and wrote to Marion’s sister, Amy. ‘When the two letters were sealed, he rang for one of the servants, and bade the girl take them immediately to the post. ‘Now come with me,” be daid to Wilson Stan- hope. “We will proceed by railway to tha nearest point of our ultimate destination; and beware bow you attempt to espape!--for at the first evidence vf such an intention, I will mercilesaly give you into custody.” . “You have sothing te apprehend on that score,” replied Stanhope, who was now reduced to the most abjep eot utate of submission. Ohbristiah had his carpet-bag already packed for the journey: a cab was summoned; and he pi- ceeded, in company with Wilson Gtanbope, to the atation of that railway by which they were to travel. As the reader has seen, the last fom days had been full of activity and bustle, excitement and business, for our young hero: but he had under- taken a task to which he had devoted all his energies, and which he was resolved should be carried out to a successful issue, so far as it de- pended upon himself, Others were labouring with equal seal in the same cause ; and every step that was taken, proved to be in precise accordance with the grand object that was being aimed at. The greatest interests were at stake; and it was there- fore no marvel that so much enterprising spirit should be displayed—so many-plans devised and carried out in all their varied ramifications ! _At the same time of whieh we are writing, the crisis had fully passed in respect to the Duke of Martiynonts and he was tegaining a pertect con- of the circumstances whieh had Pa plunged his Sinto the fever that had menaced his existence. peng Ohi he knew not—very fer indeed was he jwere taking © rapid tnd sure development,—a map = ’ THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ng—those other ciroumstances whigh | left. nr ee eel development which was effectually tending to strengthen the web that bisown crimes had woven and which was closing in around himself! OHAPTER CXLIV. THE TRISUBAL. Tww ecene now changes to Odklands. It was about ten days after the incidents detailed in the preceding chapters; and a solemn ceremony was about to take place at the grand ducal mansion in Hampshire. e at was eleven o'clock at night; and we must in- troduce the reader into the largest State drawing- room at Oaklands. But very different was its aspect from that which it was wont to wear: for it was now hung all around with black drapery ; and instead of being flooded with lustre, it was dimly lighted, so that the gloom which prevailed was made apparent rather than relieved by that feeble glimmering. Ag if however to throw this light ypanya with a ghastly effect, the floor was covered with white calico: but the ceiling, as well as the walls, was spread with sable cloth. At Yeguier intervals the black drapery along those walla was gathered in such a way that the folds had the appearance of blaqk marble pillars; and thus the monotony of an unbroken surface was avoided. A door standing half-open, showed that a strong light was burning witbin an inner room, and this added to the strangeness and striking awe produced by the general effect of the larger apart- raent, What this inner room contained, could nut be descried from the other one; as the door was sufficiently closed for such concealment, unless the threshold were approached. At one extremity of that vast apartment was a dais, or platform, raised to the height of two steps, and also covered with white calico. In the centre of the dais stood a large arm-chair, lookifig like a throne; and in this was Queen Indura seated. She was arrayed in white: the luxuriant masses of her dark hair fell upon her shoulders and floated down her back. She wore a flowing head-dress, which set off that sable hair to all the advantage which such contrast could afford. A magnificent shawl was thrown, as if negligently, over one knee; and nothing could exceed the solemn grandeur which Cnvested that throned lady. There was a palencas upon the soft ond delicate duskiness of her cheeks! her look was coldly resolute, without sternness or implacability. She seemed the Sovereign about to perform an act of sovereign justice. ° Immediately on her right hand, sat a femai- Closely: veiled; and a little farther on, upon the same side of the throne, another chair contained a gentleman who wore a black mask. On In- dora’s left, sat first of all another veiled Jady— then a man in somewhat coarse apparel, but whose features were completely coucealed by a visard of aable silk ; and farther on was a female, somewhat stout in person, handsomely dressed, and also closely veiled. Thus, to look along that line, the Queen wes beheld seated in the middle, with two persone on her right hand and three upon her Mo other human beings were in that room ab LOAO© COLUM SS (CO)