The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 329: what you’re looking at

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

“56 not be left, in the enjoyment of it. To-morrow, before you are restored to freedom, must you be- queath vine-tenths of your ill gotten riches to the charitable institutions of the British metropolis; and on this condition only shali you be liberated. | p If you refuse, the law aball take coghizanvce of your crimes—the penalty of which will be trans- portation to a distant settlement!” Madame Angelique began to weep, moan, and lament: but Queen Indora remained unmoved by the vile woman’s grief. ‘ * You, Mr. Stanhope—and you, Mrs. Oxenden,” resumed ber Majesty, “have sufficient reasons to maintain a profound secrecy in respect to the transactions of this night. As for that man there” —thus alluding to the Burker—“care will be taken that he shall have no opportunity of reveal- ing in this country whatecever he may bave seen or beard within these walls. I know,” continued Indora, now again fixing her eyes on Madame An- gelique, “that in passing sentence upon gos, I have usurped an authority derived only fypm the law of morality and not from the law of uthis country’s code: bat you will not dare to pro- claim to the world this incident of the night's transactions. And with to all the rest, you, will for your own sake observe « similar secrecy: for remember that thaugb you may cease to be my prisoner, you will not cease to be amenable to the law for your past crimes!” Having thue spoken, Queen Indora descended from the throne, and issued from the apartment, Immediately afterwarde Purvis, accompanied by several domestics of the household, entered that room. The two Hindoo gtards conducted the Burker to e subterranean place, in which he had been confined ever eince he became a captive at Oaklands: the domestics led off Mrs. Oxenden, Madame Angelique, and Wilson Stanhope to the chambers which they respegtively occupied: but mo such surveillance was necessary in regard to Amy Sutton, , The Quedn, on leaving the tribunal, proceeded to that room where the usurper Duke of Marci: mont had been confronted with Trévers~or Army: tage, as we bad better continue to call him, inas- yauch as he preserved his assumed denomination. On the entrance of Indora, Armytage ¢0se from his ecat, and made a profound obeisance. “Every promise which has been held out to you,” said her Majesty, “ shail be faithf{y kept. The wretched oriminal whose gold succeeded in ‘bribing you to silence in respect to his guilt, bas confessed his exormous crime. But you have now to learn that there was lawful iesue from the mar- riage of the late Duke and Duchess; and that amiable brother and sister whom you have so often seen at your daughter's house, are the twin of- spring of that marriage.” Nothing could exceed ‘the eastonishment of Armytage on hearing this intelligence; and when the fires sense of wonderment was paseed, he clasped his hands, exclaiming, “Oh ! how will they ever: forgive me for having kept a secret the reve- lation wee might long ago have given them ts Wane —— Queen: ™ thas revelation ‘merely have proved the usurping and the innocence of Bertram Vivian. But until very lately was i¢ kuown that Chrietian A r { $ . | r i & ' Je V dlpietopes ‘ . igen me UP ee eee eee 6) eee «& = ¥ a (gj °¢ wees wee =p a a = Gps esaee = se es oe ot ts ee A a — eS 2 Oey egg were ewe oe te OE ¢ THE MYSTBRIES OF THE COURT. and Christina Ashton were the offepring of the ducal house of Marchmont, On them, therefore, your long: maintained silence in respect to the real murderer’s crime has wrought no injury. It is the ardon of Bertram Vivian which you have to ask ; and that forgiveness will be accorded. The results of my plang have been such that a complete expo- sure of all the details of the past will be avoided ; and your name need not be mentioned in a manner to make your amiable daughter Viush for it. She need never know that you have for years been cognisant of the great guilt of him who has this night been led to confess everything. And if so much care has been taken in respect to your repu- tation, it is not for your own sake—but it is for the sake of your amiable Zoe, whom Christina loves so well! To-morrow you will be restored to freedom; and may the rest of your life be passed in a manner to be contemplated with entisfaction. You go forth into the world again as a man freed from debt—I may say as a rich man. Your daughter’s fortune, which you had squandered, is rEplaced : you will not bave to blush nor lament when you again meet her. It will be your own faul€'if you do not henceforth live in comfort and prosperity; and should you by renewed specula- tions reduce yourself to distress, you must not hope that a helping hand will again be stretched out to save you.” ¢ Armytage fell at the Queen’s feet, pouring forth his gratitude for her kindness, and vehemently pro- testing that his experiences of speculation had been far too bitter not to afford a lesson that he would never forget. Indora issued from that room; and on the land- ing sho met Mr. Coleman, the solicitor, who was just descending the staircase leading to the floor above, He held in his hand a folded document; and presenting it to the Queen, he said, “ Madam, T have the pleasure of placing in your hands this complete confession of the dying oriminal.” Indora took the paper; and opening it, she glanced at the signature, which was tremulously written. The nares of Mr. Coleman, a physician, and of Purvis, the steward, were appended as those of the witnesses. That document was the proof of Bertram Vivien’s innocence. The Queen’s aim was now accomplished : the hope which had Jong inspired her was fulfilled: the object for which she had tolled, was achieved! The stigma was re- mioved from the name of him whom ‘she had ao long and so devotedly loved! She had been sus- tained by a wondrous courage throughout all the menifold proceedings which had been leading to this result : but now that it was accomplished e sudden reaction took place within her—the joy of success was elmost more than she could endure— she staggered agairst the wall for support—she felt as if she were about to faint. Mr. Coleman hastened to procure a glass of water; and when the Queen had | partaken of the refreshing beverage, ar vo entered ad partment, attended b She an adjacent a atte y Mr. Colemah ; and che said ‘to him, “Is it, then, as we conjectured?—has the shock been two much———"’ “I¢ is so, your Majesty,” anaw the solici- tor.. “The physician declares thet the unhappy man cannot survive many hours.” “And his wife—the uafortunate Lavinia—shw a «ase= = Sam — . __ COMmMicoooks. com