The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

“ Now, Baron,” said Mrs. Ranger hastily, “do not Jet us stand here wasting precioud time in asking questions and trying to draw each‘‘other out. Bat tell me M‘once the amount of mischief that exiats and how it may be remedied. fo everything you can to ‘avoid scandal; and I will give my best as- sistance in any way that lies in my power.” "Well thgt, to speak with equal candour,” answered Bergami, “I will tell your that there is a consicerable amount of mischief suspected and into the depths of which Mr. Loftus’ and I are deter- mined to penetrate. Your ‘three young friends the Misses Owen are implicated —~" “Ah! poor dear creatures,” ejaculated Mrs. Ranger. “ But remember how young they are, and make allowances for them! You would not seek tc rnin them? Spare them—at all events give them time to reflect upon the atonement they may make for any amount of mischief they tave already dong.” “Now, Mra. Ranger,” said Bergami, “I do not wish to proceed with unnecessary harshness nor precipitation; and I think yéu ate aware of Mr. Loftue’s dispusition———” “Ah! he isa kind, good, excellent young map,” said Mra, Ranger. “ Bat what does he mean to do? —wWhat course is he adopting? Perhaps he believes that the poor girls are far more guilty than they really are?” “To give you a proof that he does not wish to act with crnel abruptness or unfeeling precipitation,” said Bergami,“I wili,at once inform you that he desires to have an intervidw with these young ladies —to reason with them—to learn from their own lips the extent of their misdeede—and to see in what manner scandal may be avoided. In a word, he has consented te see them, and has left it to me to make some appointment with them to that effect.” “ShalllI beara message to them for you, Baron?” asked Mrs. Ranger, iuwardly chuckling at the certuinty which she now acquired that no imme- diate step was to be taken with regard to the fearful mitters, wherein she, as well as the Owens, was so mixed up. “Or would you prefer seeing them at once yoursolf? It were perbups better——” “ Yes—it would be better,” said Bergami, adopt- ing a musing tone, as if he deliberated upon the point, instead of having already made up his mini to it: then consulting his watch, he said, * It & nugr past three o'clock. Tell the young ladies that in order to avuid unpleasant observation, I will meet them at five punctually on the shore of the lake —--near that old jetty which we see yonder,” he added, after sweeping his eyes around in search o$ a specific place of appointment. “Your message shall be faithfully delivered ; and I promise you the girls shall be puuctualy there. But may I hope—indeed, am I to under- stand from the remark you have just made, that you do not purpose to vex aud annoy our dear Princess——" - “Madam,” interrupted the Baron sternly; for the mingled hypocrisy and effrontery of the woman was more than he could patiently endure—-“ you must be well aware that I have learnt too much to believe for a single inatamt that you or the three sisters have any regard, love, or pity for the Princess. Nevertheless, adam, i. do uot object to inform you that it is my iatentioa to deal delicaiely, warily, and cautiously with her Royal THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ° 187 ‘Highness in respect to the terrible things which have come to my kuowledge. 1 will even add that provided the Misses Owen follow in all things the course which I shall presently point out to them, they shall—at least until to-morrow—bo | guaranteed against exposure to the Princess.” “Ah! this is most kind—most considerate on your part!” exclaimed Mrs, Ranger. “ But, my dear Baron, will you not tell me exactly how mat- ters stand——” “] have no more to say at present,” interrupted the royal equerry, with a coidness and sternness that precluded auy farther observation on the hare ridan‘s part. “We are both about returning’ to the villa,” he added: “but there are different paths to | reach the same point.” ° ‘Lhereupon he quickly passed Mrs. Ranger by, and hastened along the main road towards the viila, whi e she took the path acruss the fields. For the pre-¢nt we will follow Bergami, who, on reaching the villa, immediately sought the Prin- cess: and this was the first time he had found himself alone with her since he had been in her service. She was in a parlour the window of which opened on the lawn in front of the house and com- manded a magnificent view of the lake and ali the surrounding scenery. But to the beauties of hatere her attention was not given though her eyes were fixed thereon: for the incident of noon had troubled her sorely, and the longer she medi- tated upon iv the greater became her misgivings and her alarms. “ Ah! Baron, I am so glad you have returned !”' she exclaimed, the moment he entered the room. “Having written a long letter to my dearest daughter Charlotte, and another to my sister-in- law Sophia, 1 came and shut myself up alone in this room to think in solitude. Ah! and thinking is olt-times so mournful—so0 sad —espeviaily when aught has ariéen to till the mind with new appre- hensions—fresh misgivings——~—Lut what have you done? whom have youseen? Speak—tell me—I am in a flutter of excitement!” © “I cannot obey your Royal Highness so speed- ily,” said the Baron, with the profoundest respect. “ Indeed, considering what I have heard, [ think it woild be far more prudent if your Royal Highuess would restrain your impatience until to-murrow ; and then I shall be better enabled -——" ° . * But tell me—am I menaced by any danger?” asked the Princess, with a visible tremor. “No, madam — solemnly aud sacredly, no!” “Then is my mind at once set at ease,” rejoiaed the Princesg, her looks instantaneously brightening up: “and you may either tell me as much as you choose to unveil—or nothing at all, if you prefer [ should wait until to-morrow. I know that you are my friend, Baron; and therefore 1 pla¢e undmited contidence in yuu.” | } Sergami bowed, saying in a volee whigh betrayed ‘the deep emotion that he felt, “Depénd upon it, madam, J will never betray the trust with which you honour me.” . As he thus spoke, with hia looks cast down, a sich —an ill-subdued and but half-stifled sigh — fell uyon his ear,—but starvely more audibly than the seared Joaf of autumn, when falling frou the tree, kisses tae ground béneath; aud like that seared leaf cast off from the withering tree, was tle sigh thus thrown from the Princess's Leart : CONIC OO (C or? cS) -— ee oe ee woo oe eee eee 6 Oe eee A ss om eg ee oe ee ee - - ES <a, RES ge, Gigli inn ipa e eLeE, me ra 2 ED ee mh == Se Tomniee _ eee — -_ = = —— ees ee ee =~ = CO