The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 47: what you’re looking at

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, had perpetrated towards her; and she was resolved on vengeance. Amy was naturally pne of those dispositions that,scoldly implaczble when once a determination of this sort wat settled, exhibited no feverish impatience to carry it out until oppor- tunity served. She would bide time—and therefore her's was a character all the more dan- gerous, and the revenge she contomplated was all the more certain to be soonor or later wreaked. But it was not the sense of her wrongs which solely engaged her thoughts: she had to deplore the fall of a sister more boauteous than coven she herself was, and whom sho had loved as tenderly as licr cold disposition would permit her to love at all, She had in the morning of that day received a lotter from her ajister; and the contents thereof entertwined themselves with the reflections that she was pursuing in regard to her own position. Tho farmers widow was no relation to Amy Sutton: but they had become acquainted by some means which it is not worth while pausing to describe; and when Amy had found thet. the imo was approaching when ahe could no ‘longer be able to conceal her position frqm the world, she bethought herself of Mrs. Wile as a woman in whom she could confide, and of der ruval babita- tion as a place where she might bring forth id eeclusion the offspring of her shame and dis- honour. For in such a light docs society regard the illegitimately born ; although the mother map have been guiltless of wanton frailty, and merely the victim of fuulest treachery—as was the caso with poor Amy Sutton. It was io the afternoon, as we have said, that she was sitting in the little parlour at the cottage when her ear caught the sound of fuotsteps ap- proaching through the garden; and raising her eyes, she beheld Christian Ashton. Her first im- pulse was to order the servant-girl to deny her to the young gentleman : for be it recollected that ewhen they were travelling together, she had not revealed to him the full extent of the asieery en- tailed uffon her by the ‘Dake of Marchmont's black criminelity. But a second thought deter- mined her to see iim. He was already acquainted with nearly every thing that regarded her ;—and of what avail to keep back the rest ? Besides, in her solitude she could weloome him as an old ac- quaintance—almost as a friend: she knew him to be a youth of the strictest probity and honour ; and there is no sorrow so desperate bat that it may derifa a balm, however alight and however evanescent in its effett, from friendly companion- ship. Christian wes accordingly introduecd ; and with thatair of frank kindness which was natural to him, he proffered -his hand,—saying, *I would not pace hy thie neighbourheod, Amy, without seeing youu-= own.” Tho unfortunate young. women had instinotively Fieen on the entrance of one whom ‘sho regarded as a superior; asd then heteendition was at oneo revealed to bia wow. His senso. of delicacy as woll ac his generosity: however. bin from | ist@@apeivee-gpon the cumrent ot, , ihe yoo wremean’s privacg, painfally: sitented as although my time is not completely my: HE MYSTHRIE OF THE COURT. she was: but he had prosented himself there with a kind motive—for the tale she had told him in the railway carriage had enlisted his sympathy on her behalf. “You can no longer be ignorant, Mr. Ashton,” Amy at length said, while hertountenance was suffused with the glow of mingled shame and in- dignation, “of the reason which led mo into this seclusion, I am unhappy—so unhappy, Mr. Ash- ton, that wero it not for the sake of revenge I should not eling to lifo. But, Oh, revenge will be so sweet!—amd deadly indeed shall its nature be whon the proper time for wreaking it arrives!” “Great though your wrongs have been, Amy,” said Christian, in a tone of gentle remonstrance, “think you that you do well thus to keep your mind in 4 state of incessant excitement by brood- ing over this hoped-for vengeance P” “It bas become to mo the sustaining food of existenoé,” answered tho unfortunate young woman; “and if I perish op the scaffold I will have the iife of that man! Unless indeed it be possible to wreak some vengeance which he may live to feel————” “For heaven's sake, Amy, speak not in this dreadfal manner!” exelaimed Christian. “To talk of taking the life uf the Duke of Marchmont, displays a frightful recklessaess in respect to your own life.” e “ And what Bave I to live for?” demanded tho young woman, with oven.a fierce sternness. “ Nut for the child that will be the offepring of mingled outrage and shame! No,’ she added bitterly: “I loathe and abhor it even before it is born 1” “You will think differently,” said our young hero, “ when the babe nestles in your bosom.” “ As soon place a viper there!” ejaculuted Amy Button. “ But I was abont to tell you that I hsv nothing, and cas have nothing—save my present hope of vengeance— «whith binds me to iife. When that is accomplished, I shall be ready to die —-or in the accomplishmest of it I may engulf “But have you no relatives,” asked Christian, infinitely pained as well as shocked by the lan- guage that flowed from tho lips of the unfortunate young woman," have you no relatives who could be kind to you now, and who would have to de- plore your fate if by your own madnesse——” “T have one relative whom I loved—yes, still love,” responded Amy, in a mdéurnful tone, —“a very near oné~-« sister: but she is likewise fallen |” * By treachery also?” asked Obriatian, “No—by her own wantonness and weakness,” rejoined Amy. “TI will tell you a brief narrative. We two sisters were left orphans at a somewhat early age: an aunt took charge of Marion—an- other aunt took charge of me. Tho aunt who adopted Marion was the richor of the two rela- tives; and she gave Marion an edacation fitting her for the position of a lady. The aunt who took charge of me, brought me up to a genteel servitudo—-namely, the position of a lady’s-maid. Rhis aunt died when [ was between Sfteen and sixteen: I went into ‘service—and have ever since My aunt. mo -thrift-and I :hewe been ehsidby or thn I shoald not new : the moans of setlving awhile. fiom the wet one ningiorouiniet she: geld:that-che-villnin: Aap. earned my ‘breall by mibe own houestindustey. } \ ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)