The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

, _ THE MYSTERIES OF THR COURT. 218 Saxondale, taking it as such. “And now tell me, | “Tt would be really capital fun,” observed Ea. Herold, how is Deveril? have you heard anything mund, with disgusting flippancy, “to be put in pos- mbre ahout him? For I saw by this: morning’s paper | | seasion of aiiy eectet which would place my mother that the report of his death was incorrect@-that he | in my power.. By Jove! she should not. bully me sarvived—and that the wound is not even mortal, then: I would very soon be ever. with her. Thero- _ Shoug terribly dangerous. a fore, my dear: Stauriton, eo far from offending me, “I know no more on the subject than you. do,” you could not de-me greater service than by telling “ ansvrered Staunton, “In fact; I am playi ad hide-| ms all about this adventure of your's.” and-seek till the result develapes itself in one. way | . “It is too complivated at the present moment,” or another. For of couré until Deveril is pro- replied Lord Hazold: “ and. besides which, I want nounced completely out. of danger, I am liable to | to obtein eome positive proof of the fact that the arrestat any moment. But I want to speak to you, ent Queen at the masquerade was Lady Saxon- Saxondale, most particularly.” dale. In wiy own mind I know ‘it was—I am “Ts it any secret?” asked Edmund, glancing to. | morally certain of the identity: but as I did not soe wards Emily, whom he. was evidently. fearful of , her face, she could of course turn round and indi¢- offending by excluding her from a knowledge of | nantly deny the fact: for you will excuse me for what was about to be said. saying, my dear Edmund, that. your lady-mother is “Just as you may think fit to dacide,” responded not wanting i in what may. be. termed a bold effrun- Harold. “It ‘is about that Indy in the Bpanitl dross ;.tery.” that you know of-——-- a Wanting in it! > ejaculated Edmund, “On the “Ah! at the masquernde?”’ cried Saxondale. contrary, she has got plenty of it. . But -what sort “Oh, no—what earthly necessity can there be for | of proof is it that you. require, Harold, in the caso secrecy on that headp Besides, as <Z really have | we are speaking of ang com I assist you in any no secrets at all from my dear Emily” way ?” “TI understand,” said Lord Hargld: “you bave| ‘It is precisely your agistance thet I require,” already told Miss Archer everything about that little | answered Staunton: “and I am sure that you will adventure of maine at the masquerade——that iq to | give it to mo all the more readily after. what you y, a8 far as you are acquainted with it.” ° have been saying—because it is of course very con- ‘Well, to confess the truth, I have told Emily,” | venient as well as important for you to get your observed Edmund. “ But then she is discrotion,| mother completely under your thumb.” itself.” | “To be sure! What would you have me do?” « And I do enjoy hearing of intrigues and adven-| “I suppose Phat you would not hesitate to avail tures of that kind !” exclaimed the danseuse. “ Do | yourself of an opportunity for searching Lady Saxon- tell us, my dear Lord Harold, whether your advene | dale’s wardrobes, and drawers, and cupboards, for ture has turned out as you could wish : for we know , some perticular object—would you?” nothing beyond the fact that in pursuance of a “Not I indeed! I will ransack and rummago certain note you met some lady at that masquerade. them from top to bottom if it is necessary for your Of course it is @ dolicious intrigue—a delightful | purpose.” affair of gallantry! Come, take some champagne, | “It is,’ ' rejoined Harold. “Do you not compre- and then tell us all about it. What happened? and hend?P If we could only find the fancy-dress which who was the fair. inamorata Lady Saxondsle wore at the masquerade, it would “ Now,” resumed Lord Haréla after s brief pause, | be impossible for her to deny her identity with tho during which he reflected profounfily, “T have not | character of Queen Isabella. The chances are a the slightest objection to state the issue of my. ad- | hundred to one that the dress is secreted some wherv venture: but will you, Edmund, promise that. what- | in her ladyship’s apartments.” soever I may say you will not be shocked or annoyed?! “And if eo, I shall be sure to ferret it out," o In a word, will you give me free permission to speak l claimed Edmund. | out frankly ?” - do, my dear Edmund,” said Emily Archer, “Why, of course,” responded Saxondale, sur- with witching accents and looks of cajuolery. “1 am prised at the question. “If it regarded either of | always afraid that your proud end haughty mother my own sisters, lady-mother, I should like to will be separating you from me; and it will bea hear all the vartioalats.” great relief to my mind to knaw that you are in “Perhaps your random obserration may reach a | possessinn of :s secret wehioh will put her upon her little nearer home than you imagine,’’ observed | good behaviour.” _ Lord Harold. | | “Thave- already ta do my best in the “Ah! I begin to suspect,” ejaculated Saxondale. | matter,” yepondey Edaaand. “I will go home to- “Tu jt possible that my own lady-mother hes taken | morrow morning and. for an opportunity to it into her head to play tricks of this-eort? . Well, | ranshek the place: although, by the bye, I did not now that I bethink me, c 2 sons exactly her beight’ intend to show my face there fur the next week—>fur and figure"... | the old bousekeepet ie dead, and somehow or another “ And is waa abe Ieruelf rojotied Lewd. Herold. ‘T.4ave a grea aversion to: be beneath the yame rvof “This is delightfully amusing!” setiolined Hani | Wath a dead body: Ib'is not, you know, that I am Archer. “You were saying, Edmund, the. other | baad : p wey frightened ; but it seem! as if there was day that you wished | you bad some ‘means of. exet- | 6. Gckly amelie. nauseating kind of odour. How- cising a power over your mother, ea you know that or, will retutn to Baxondale House immediately she is doing her best with your guardians tp make | after broskfast. to-morrow morning. But still, my them send you abroad in the diplomatic Service or | dear Harold, I cannot make all this affair out. else compel you to go and live doWn at yout old | Whatson earth did my mother meet you ab the castle in Lincolnshire till you eome of age.” Harcourts’ for, after writing that letter—unloss ECOMMICOOOKS.EO