The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 209: what you’re looking at

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

een. , . ee oo 196 ' THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. himself to Agatha, “besecch you to intercede in my behalf with your sister Emma — since it is evident that you have no seerets from cach other.” “Unhaid me, Lord Curzon!” said Julia—but her effyrts to extricate her hand from his grasp had become feebler and feebler: indeed, with every appearance of vanishing fortitude and dissolving coldness she said, “Do let me go—'tis useless to detain me.” ‘But will you not give me an opportunity of explaining myself?” persisted Curzon. “ After alJ that has taken place between us, I beg and implore you——”" “1 will do nothing—nothing,” refurned Julia, though with Jess decision in her voice than before, “unless by Enuma’s couscnt. Wo have told each other everything—wo have no secrets—and we must act in concert.” “Yes,” observed Agatha, in feply to the soli- citations which Malpas continued to press upon her to the effect that she would speak on his be- half to Emma: “I can say nothing more than that my sister must act for herself.” ‘Then listen,” exclaimed Curzon, an idea sud- denly striking him—and still he retained Julia's hand in his own, “ Will you forward me your decision in writing ?—will you think over it ?° But I implore you not to send me back to England without having had an opportunity of making my peace with you, even if everything should be at an end between us.” “Where will a note reach you?” asked Julia, scarcely knowing what she said: for the natural sentimentalism of her disposition was triumphibg over her endeavour to appear distant and reserved ; and had it not been for the presenco of Agatha, to whom slic had boasted in the morning of the way she should treat Curzun if ever they met again, she would at once have precipitated herself into his arms. . “} an staying at the Hotel Royal—and this time under my own Dame,” he said. “ Will you send me a liue—only a single line—to that address? and whatever appointment you may give—for I know that you caunot be cruel enouh to refuse my request—I will keep.” ‘ {* Well, well,” said Julia, faintly; “I will thivk of it. Perhaps you shall hear from me:”—and ' now she withdrew her hand, but not before Curzon yo ee ee had pressed it to his lips. “Then, if Emma will see you, Colonel Malpas,” said Agatha, anxious to put au end to the present scene, “she also shall write to you. «What is your address ?” “By a coincidence,” answered the Colonel, “] also have taken up my abode at the Holel Royal. { only arrived within this hour at Geneva, and at once strolled down hither in the hope, and alinost with the presentiment-——" “ Well, but what name do you bear at the Hote Royal?" asked Agatha, somewhat impatiently, . My own name—that of Malpas,” was the reply, “ But pray do your best for me with your charm- ing sister Emma.” “We shall see,” rejoined Agatha. “Good even- ing, Colone! Ma!pas—good evening, my lord :"— and taking Julia’s hand, she turned abruptly away |: froin the nobleman and the colonel. But as Ju'ia accompanied her, she threw a quick oS gees aaa ( | and scarcely perceptible glance at Curzon over | her shoulder—w glance which. nevertheless cone veyed hope and promige. -, The two pirls passed quickly away “rom the vicinage of the je.ty, once more proceeding along the bank in the dipection which they had ere now putsued with Bergami and their sister. When near the clump of trees they encounjered Emma, who was coming to meet them; and all three has- tened by the shortest cut baok to the villa. Meantime the Earl of Curzon and Colonel Mal. pas stood gazing for upwards of a minute on the retreating furms of Agatha and Julia until they were at some considerable distances; and then averting their eyes, they threw their looks upon each other, It was evident that tor the moment Curzon knew not exactly how to treat Malpas, and that the Colonel on the other hand was equally uncertain on what ground to consider himself standing with: regard to the Earl,—the scene at Lausanne being naturally uppermost in the mind of each—that acene in which they had mutually forced the revelation of secrets at the pistol’s muzzle, . “So we meet again,” said Curzon, at length breaking silence; then bursting out into a laugh that was partly real and partly forced, he cried, “Well, upon my word there is something uncom- monly ludicrwus in all this !” “ And awkward tov,” said Malpas, also laugh- lug: for he would much sooner be on good than on bad terms with the Karl. “T suppose that Venetia has sent you again?” said Curzon, inquiringly. “Yes,” auswered Malpas, “And she has sent you tuo, doubtless ?” “I do not deny it. I will evén admit itis on the same errand too as before—but this time with far more pagitive instructions.” * The tame with me,” rejoined Malpas. ‘I am to leave no stone unturned to break up the con- spiracy. Iam even to tell Emma that | know all about it, and threaten her with exposure unlcas she herself yoluotarily withdraws from it.” ‘Just what I am to say to Julia,” remarked Curzon. “And the reward which Veuetia has promised you ?” “ A thousand a-year,” replied Malpas. ‘She .gave me five thousand when ia London; and I ex- pect to find ghree or four thousand more when I call at the banker’s in this city to-morrow. I came too late to-day. Those thousands are a reward for past services——But what bave you had? and what more do you expect ?” “TI also have had a few thousaads,” replied Cur- zon; “and more than that, I am to have a Mar- quisate and a pension, Venetia has promised it to me——But I see that we must compare notes again, and that we have a yreat deal to talk about. Come, since we are both staying at the same hotel, let us return thither in each other's company; aud if you like, we will dine together and talk matters over.” ‘‘Be it so,” responded Malpas. ‘“ What are the odds that we do not each receive a tender billet from our feir ones before many hours have elapsed ?” T am convinced that we shall,” answered Cur- gon. “That parting glance which Julia gave me his left no room for doubt.” = os yh rye O) ECOMNIE OG cS) CO