The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

190 atthe taunt. “If you think it necessary that we shall seé Loftus, we will do so.” “ Yea—necessary indeed!’ replied Mra, Ranger: then in a deeper tone she added, “It is necessary, be- cause it may save the necessity for three murders |” “ What mean you?” demanded Emma io horror anil dismay, a8 it instantunevusly struck her that the dreadful old woman was now alluding to Bergami as well as to others. “{ mean,” rejoined Mrs, Ranger, speaking with the firmness of u cold and implacable decision, “that there are three enemies whom we have now to fear! This mourning there were fwo—Lottus and Lady P:escott;: but within the last few hours, Bergami has been added, Well then, if Loftus ynean to propose some terms and conditions that will avuid the necessity of exposure—and if an avenue of safety be open to us all—then will it be unnecessary to do the work of death. But if, on the other hand, the result of your inte: views with Bergami and Loftus, respectively, should prove that exposure must cusue-—that we are noé to be epaied—and that punishment zg intended us—then must Lotus, Lady Presevtt, aud Bergami all three die this night!” The girls shuddered from head to foot: but Emma's shudderisg, as Mrs. Ranger ment oned the nume of Bergami, was even more agonising and couvulsive than that of her sisters. But she said nubuing—onty fell immediately into a prufouud reverie, . “ Nethought,” said Agatha, in the low hushed tone of terror, to Mrs. Kinger, “that you had already agreed with Dr. Matavelli——” THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “Ah! if Bergami were a man to be tempted,” said Mra, Ranger, thoughtfully, “he might be won over by Emma's seductiveness to serve our pur- poses, We might make use of him to @ersuade Jocelyn Loftus t6 pardon usa—aye,and even to jield us from any @vil consequenves——” “Yes,” interrupted Agatha, catching hopefully at the idea—or rather we should say desperately : “why should not Berzami be won to Emma's arms? Is he not a mortal of flssh and bluod—aund io it at all likely he will prove auother Jocelyn Loftus? No, no: by those dirk expressive eyes—by his whole aspect—Berygami is not a saint like Jocelyn!” “Then [ tell you what must be done,” said Mrs, Ranger, still speaking aside with Avatha. “ You oe ce ne eee SPAR shall ail turee keep the appuintment with Bergami , at five oclock—and when you have heard what he - has to say, do you and Julia leave Emma with him on some preteuce. Of course you can tell Emma presently that you are going todo so, She will doub.less be well pleased; and your ingenuity, Agatha, will not failzo devise some feasible excuse for so leaving them toyether.” Agatha nodded assent to the suggestions which Mis. Ranger so artfully threw out ; and as the hour tu keep the appointment was now ap.roaching, the three young ladies proceeded to attire themselves in their walking apparel. ¢ =: THE SYREN S WILES. “Yes—that Loftus and Lady Prescott are to | PuNctuanty at five o'clock Barou Bergimi re- dic,” returned the woman: “but Ldid not tien fore- see that Jocelyn would desire tu have au Interview. with you, iis doing so looks coneiliitory—or rathcr, I should say, as if lie meantto be mereiful. In this cave his death will answer uo pood purpose —will bs unnecessary, ¢ Thercfure, after the inter- view with him to-night, wherever it may tike place, it will be fur yee; Agatha, to judge whether it is gate to let him live -or wheth:r our iuterests re- quire that he shold die. Ji he is to hive, then uiust you fil the opportunity of Dreathioy the word to Maravelli: but it he 1s to die, then nutking nee be said, and the ductor will do Ais wok!” You argue as if you expected that ihe inter- view between us and Loftus,” said Agithi, “is sure to take place ut Marave:li’s house 2” : 1] believe su, feos what Bergaui said, How. ever, he will lec you kuow all about it presently ; aut we shall be perhaps beter able to decide how ty act. But miad,” continued Mis. Ranger Cl phateally, “that whatever our purpo-e be, our resolution must be bold and inflexib.e: whatever we dete inne upon, must be cariicd ous to tie very locur! = Cousider how much depends on all this. I» i, not becter tu dare everything, suoner than suffer ourselves ro be dragged away to afelun’s gaul? Lt am half incimed to believe,” she added in a very Jow whisper to Agatha—a whisper which she alone heard, “that Emma has become -pooney witit respect to Berganu. Look intu what a moud of abstraction ste has ialleun—and Julia too, guz- ing listlessly upou her——” $Yes,”’ whispered Aatha; “Emma is indead in love with Berg wil--1id t Gaink that the fechug qirvady amounts to au ifatuativa.” So CS © epee Bee Seer OE rod ne ee ba hl a oe paired to the trysting-place on the shore of Lake Leman; and there, close by the jetty, did he find tie thrce sisters waiting for him. They were pale, and had evidently been most paivfully excited : indeed, a3 he approached them, their agitation was visible enough, notwithstanding their effurts to louk composed and even assume an air of con. fideuce. Bergamni had no pity for them. He felt shocked at the thougiit tiuat three such lovely creatures so eminently enduwed by wature, should pos.ess hearts su black; and that such fair exteriors shuuld serve as a veil to bide sv much profligacy and gissoluteness. Alas! what charming s«ius do Sume snakes wear!~—what dazzling hues appear upen the sinu‘Sus forms of thuse serpents whose uuuch is deati! Yes—Berpvurki felt shocked as he thoucht of the depravity of these three young women whom ni- ture had made so beautiful: and he even ex- perienced the suffocatius sense of a su iden indig- nation as the ineidents of the ermine cloak and the-personation of himseif rushed with vivid effect to his memory. But subduing any outward ex- pression of his emotions, and shroudiny whatso- ever he felt. beneath a calmly dignified deineanour, he made the u-ual :alutation of courtesy as he approached. lis manner, though so reserved and distant— almost to sternuess—uevertheless somewhat revived the spirits of the three sisters; for they bad almost expected that he would accost them with immediate upbraidjnga and reprogches. Emma, especially, regained unuch*ef her lost fortitude and assurauce ; and, fliuging a second glance, from beneath the rieh quan a as ol ee - a a a cS aa, a eT TS RS Se a A a a a rE COMMU OY AOC) < S) CO