The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

THE MISTEBIES OF THE COURT. eee * 196 . now entirely absorbed in this new passion which had suddenly blazed up in her heart, being so un- expectedly and copious! fed by the burning fuel which Burgami’s conduct had im mparted toit. In- deed, 80 complete was the influence which that man had in so short a time susceeded in gaining over her, that she was resolved, as far as she was able, to follow, his injunctions in respect to keeping their amour secret. That is to say, she decided upon telling her sisters as little on the subject as possible, lest by any chance an unfortunate look, or a word too full of meating on their part, should prove to Bergauwi that she had betrayed him and thus alienate him from her for ever. Having sét- tled this determination in her mind, and having composed her looks and her thoughts as well as she was able, she issued forth from the shady bower formed by the group of trees, and retraced her way along the bank of Lake Leman dates the jetty, in order to rejoin her sisters. ® ® * e * * a + » But in the meantime what had happened to Agathaand Jalia? For while Emma was engaged with Bergami in the manner just described, her two sisters were experiencing an adventure which, although appearing at the moment to be but of trivial importance in comparison with the other exciting circumstances that surrounded them, was nevertheless destined tp prove most grave and serious in its results. ° Ono parting so abruptly from Emma and Ber- gami, Agatha and Julia sped along the shore of the lake in the direction of the jetty whence they had ere now agarted. “ Think’ you that*Emma will succeed with the equerry ?” asked Julia, “Qh! if he were to yield to her seductiveness — her mica—hor Jascina tions——” “It would indeed be mgst important for as,” replied Agatha. “For to speak candidly——al- though I feel not go truly wretched now as I did a few hours back when this storm of dangers ex- ploded above our heads—yet still my heart is filled with misgivings.” “ And naturally so,” said Julia. “This appoint- ment with Loftus at Maravelli’s house, where the dead child lies-——” ® “Oh! do not talk of it,” interrupted Agatha, a strong tremor shooting through her entire form as she and her sister paced rapidly along the margin of the lake, on whose sleeping waters the slauting sunbeame still poured the mellowed glow of their effulgence. Then there was a long silenoe, which remained unbroken until the sisters came within a few yards of the jetty; when, raising their eyes from the ground on which they had been bent in meditative mood, they suddenly observed a gentleman seated on a beam which had become detached from the mass of piles and intricacy of wood-work forming the huge pier. At the very same moment that Agatha and Julia observed this gentleman, another gentleman appeared round the piles form'ng the eommencement of the jetty ; aud as these twc gen- tlemen thus met, evidently unexpectedly, ejacula- tions of surprise burat from sheir lips., “Ah! my lord?” exclaimed the one who had just made his appearance upon the ecene. sd eee sm SO ns EE Tne ° “What! you here again, Colonel Malpas?” cried the other sternly, as he sprang up from his seat on the beam. ° But simultaneously did a cry of amazement fall from the lips of Jalia as she at once recognized the Earl of Curzon in this latter individual. * Ah!” cried the nobleman, whose attention was | now allin a moment attracted to Julia; “i is it iu- deed you, my charmer—«my beauty ?” | “Then the other must be Emma!” exclaimed Malpas, also springing forward aluog with the Eurl towards the ladies: but on catching sight of Afa- tha’s countenance he stopped short in sudden dia- appointment, stammering, “ No—it is not—I beg a thousand pardons—~” * «This is my elder sister, Miss Owen,” said Julia, at once assuming a diguified and even haughty look. “ Agatha,” she continued, turning to her sister, “this is the Earl of Curzon of whom I have spoken to you on Yormer owcasinns.” “ And you have already learnt,” said the Colonel, again advancing, “by the expression which fell from Lord Curzon’s lips that my name is Malpas. Doubtiess your sister Miss Emma has mentioned my name to you; since it appears that you,” he added, fixing his eyea upon Julia, “ have spoken of the Earl to your sister here.” “ Aifd it would likewise seem then,” Julia at once observed, “that the Karl of Curzon and Colonel Malpas have spoken to each other relative to us— else would they be more discreet in what they let fall from their lips on the present occasion.” “Dear Julia,” said the Harl, “let us have no angry wordg, I implore you! I have come all the way trom England to see you again.” “And J also to see your sister Emma again,” added Malpas. “Ab! where is she?” * Bat why this haughtiness of air—this reserved manner—this repelling look?” exclaimed Curzon, in a tone of entreaty tv Julia. While the precediny confersation was taking place, both Agatha and Julia had maintained thut air of calm dignity which, as welf as auy other mien, they knew so well how to put on to suit the particular occasion. The elder sister now saw Curzon and Malpas for the first time; and rhe certaihly could not wonder that her sisters had accepted them as lovers—for, as the reader js ware, they were both good-looking, tall, and woli made. She however affected to regard them with- out intcrest, but with a certain Joftiness of de- meanour, as if she identified herself with the dls- pleasure which Julia chose to demonstrate. *«T can say fer myself, Lord Cursgon,” observed the latter youn, lady, in reply to the pasatonate exclamations which had been addressed to her,— “and I think I can also answer for my ‘sister Emma in her absence, that the plot you and Colonel Malpas so unaccountably but co shame- fully set on foot to carry us off to Lausafne, but which 30 signully failed,—must be considered as having raised up an insurmountable barrier be- tween us in future. I therefore wish you good evening. Agatha, come, dear.” “One word, Julia!” ejaculated Curzon, seizing her by the hand and holding it fast despite her | efforts to withdraw it. “We cannot part thus! I beseech you to give me an opportunity to ex- plain myself.” “And I, Miss Owen,” said Malpas, addressing eee | ANICLOO© ( O) cS) CO