The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 211: what you’re looking at

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

a a | r98 THE MYSTBRIES OF THE COURT. gg a = (arr EN LL a eT aT the train of thought unwittingly flowing oi and |two individuals: and when her sister had cone giving expression to itself, even as it were against | cluded her tale, she said, “Is was all very well to my own will.” « We must show no weakness in the consummae tion of our design,” said Editha. ~ “* Think you not that the scene which has just taken place is but too well calculated to rivet the implacability of my own craving for revenge? asked Lady Prescott. “ Wken at the moment we first beheid Lord Curzon approaching the jetty, and J dragged you as it were behind the piles so that we might conceal ourselves from his view, it was because I wished to watch his movements. In thus wishing I had a motive-—and that motive was to avail myself of any circumsthnce which might transpire to put the means of vengeance within my reach! And he, not having observed us as we 80 quickly concealed ourselves under the jetty—he, little suspecting who was so near, addecs:ed himself in words of tenderness, and love, and entreaty to that profligate Julia Owen !” “But all those allusions Which subsequently took place,” asked Editha, “between my husband and Malpas relative to Lady Sackville—what could they mean ?” “Oh! let us not trouble ourselve.,” exclaimed Lady Prescott, “ about the affairs of others! ‘We have our own course to pursue.” “Yes—you are right,” said Editha, “Let us concentrate all our thoughts upon this vengeance which we are about to wreak !” * * i * * ¥ * * s Ss * Return we now to the three sisters. When Emma rejoined Agatha and Julia ib the manner already described, she had not so fully | composed her countenance as to subdue altogether the flush of pleasurable excitement which the acene with Bergami had conjured up. “Have you ensnared him?—have you touched his heart ?” iuquired Julia, anxiously. ““Yes-—I think that ] have made some little im- pression upon him,” responded Emma. “I evi- dently moved him by‘my tears and the little de monstrations of love that I was enabled to make: but I dared not go too far. At ail events,” she added, suddenly recollecting the frightful threat which Mrs. Ranger had uttered ere now, that if circumstances required the deed, Bergami mugt die as well as Lottus and Lady Prescott,—“ at all events, I think that to-morrow, if I have another opportunity, I shall gain a victory. Indeed, lam sure of it! There is no need to fear Bergami: he will rather take our part thau otherwisc—aud alto- gether Iam full of hope that we shal) yet come forth seatheless from the terrible ordeal of dangers through which we are passing.” “Oh! what a blessing it will be to hail peace, contentnieidt, and tranquillity once more !” said Agatha, with the most genuine sincerity. «And 1 echo the observation,” added Julia. «Let us once get clear out of this present embar- rasumeki, aud no more conspiracies fur me—no more intrigues save those of gallantry and love! And this reminds me to tell your Emma of what has just taken place down at the jetty yonder.” She then described the scene which had oc- curred with the Earl aud with Malpas. Emma was much astonished to hear of the return of those 4 promise to write to them in order to get rid of their importunity : but I hope, Julia, that cou do not intend any such thing. Remember what you said this morning—fhat you would never forgiv Curzono——” “Nor will 1,” interrupted Julia, somewhat petu lantly, though at the bottom of her heart there lurked the secret resolve that should existing circumstances turu out favourably in the long rua, she would renew her amour with the handsome Earl despite her two sisters’ ridicale or scoru, They now re-entered the villa; and it being past seven o'clock, they had only just time to hasten to tneir respective rooms and make the necesaury change in their toilette for dinner. ‘This repast in the Princess's household was usually served up at half-past seven: but on the evening of which we are writing iv was delayed somewhat, and there- fore the sisters were not late after ull. The Princeas had been séized with indisposition—pro- bably arising from the excitement which she had experienced during the day; and she kept her own room inatead of descending te the dinner- table. Bergami was likewise absent, he having gone into the city with the alleged excuse of being invited to dine with a friend, but in reality to see Jocelyn Loftuy. There were consequently only the six ladies-in- wailing, the young lady who acted as “reader” to the Priucess,and Mrs. Ranger, at the dinner-table on the -present occasion. The meal was not therefore prolonged: and soon after the dessert Mrs. Ranger sought an opportunily of taking Agatha aside in order to ascertain what had passed at the interview with Bergauil. , Proceeding to another room, ‘the old harriaan and the young lady shut themselves in; aud the latter repeated all that Bergami had said iu her hearing. then explained what Emma had said relative to her hopes of success in cusnaripg the royal equerry within the influence of her charts. “ And this appointment with Loftus is for twelve to-night?” said Mra. Ranger, who had listened with the profoundest attention and interest to all that had just fallen from Agatha’s lips. ‘For twelve to-night,” responded the young lady, dunddering visibly. “ But Bergami's manner was kind?” continued Mis. Ranger, still speaking interrogatively. *Nu—not kind, but forbeariug,” easwered Agatha, © © ARK! I do not Ike it—I do not like it,” said Mrs. Ranger; and she shook her head ominously. «¢ But does Emma really think that she will succeed in wioning the equerry tu her arms?” * She does—she doves,” replied Agatha. ‘She is sanguine—so sanguine that she feela convinced Bergami will save us.” “But Bergami caunot save us if Jocelyn Loftus be determined to ruin us,” interrupted Mrs. Ran- ger emphatically. “Ah! if Bergami had suc- cumbed this evening-if Emma had succeeded ere now in bringing him to her feet-—1f, in a word, he had already reovived her favours,—then would it be different, and he would doubtless raise heaven aud esgth tu save her, and in saving her must have held us harmless alao! But it is not 40; he bas nof succuinbed—asnd any little advap- ECOMNIE OG O) cS) CO