The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 313: what you’re looking at

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ines eae 300 eciving you: I do not even know that I have any particular objoct in thus vindicating myself up to tho present timo—unless it bo that it is natural for a woman to take creuit for as much virtue as she possesses, even in the presence of him to Whom that virtuo is about to be surrendered.” I do believe you,” responded Staunton, in a. voice which showed that be ‘spoke with sincerity. “T am sufficiently acquainted with the world to be able to discover a demirep, no matter how thick muy be the veil of hypocrisy that she wears ; afl having known you for somo few years, I should certainly have detected you ere now. Yes—I dq believe you; and therefore all the more welcome aro you to mo, dear*Lady Saxondale !” Thus speaking, ho passed hisarm round her waist ; snl in the shade of the avenue where they were | walking, he ombraced her. There wag an interval cf silenco—and they: proceeded slowly on, he still with hiy arm round her waist. ° , } ‘But you havo not told me what I can do for you,” he at length resumed. “Iam sure there is sorocthing in which you nocd my servces.” | “‘Wo—not at present, I can assure you,” answered | Lady Saxondale. “ But tell me candidly—indeed, I THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. obtain witnesses to the whole wr any portion of those transactions in which I so fatally involved myseN, the result would be cxposuro.—ruin—lis- : ishonour————-Oh, I could not survive it!” _ “And he has threatencd you with an action” said Herold, in a th8ughéful mood: it was not how- ever precisely upon what he had heard that ho was a Ose Ge 64> 2 Oe & =—- Owe ewe 00 oo wee OS: Ces SD thinking, but rather upon a subject which had gra-- dually arisen in his mind within the last few minutes. “He has thredtened me with an action—or the alternative is that I sign a document to be circu- lated privately, denying the truth of the state- ment I had made to my friends concerning him. That I will never do. I would sooner risk the law- suit. To sign the death-warrant of my own honour ——to commita syicidal act in respect to my own faine, were impossible !”—and Lady Saxondale spoke with the vehemencd of a strong excitement. e “ To be sure—you cannot do that,” rejoined Hagold. ‘‘A docyment to be circulated privately, —no, no—that will never do! As well the full exposure! Even if you lost the law-suit, you might atill persist that your cause evas just, and that you were an injured woman: but if you once sign such besecch you to speak with the utmost sincerity—for | & paper, all is &ver.” it is important. Have you breathed to a soul, “That is exactly the view I take of it. Me. . except Kdmund, those circumstances that so much Marlow has written tome. Of course he does not angered you against meP Pray do not deceive me. If you have, I shall forgive you,and myst make the best of it. But if you have not, so much the botter.”’ « 6 “Ts it then so very imporfant?” asked Lord Harold, slightly fegcing with the question. *¢ “Ab! I perceive that you have told some one ?” cjuculated Lady Saxondale. “Now, Harold, listen tome. You must not leave me in the dark in this respect—you must not be afraid to confess the extent to which you have betrayed me. I am pre- pared to give myself up to you—I will even en- deavour to love you—I feel that I already begin to like you; and if you devote yourself entirely to my interests, there is nothing I will not do to serve you. gtherefore pray be candid; and to show you that I ero inclined to put the fullest confidence in you, I wilf tell you presently whorefore I am so urgent in asking the question.” ‘TI will therefore speak without reserve,” said }lavald. “Unfortunately,” he continued, “ you ren- dered me so bitterly vindittive against you, that I wes not careful how I"compromised you. There aye two persons besides Edmund, to whom I have told averything.” “Two pefsons! Who are they P” “One is Edmund's mistross—for I suppose that you know or suspect that he Ads a mistress; and tro other is my faithful and devoted servant Alfred.” “Good God! thw is most serious,” murmured Lady Saxondale: and Staunton felt that she shud- cered in the half-embrace in which he atill retained her as they walked alowly along. “Why is it go serious?” he inqui “ Becauey,” she rejoined in a thick voice, but with bitter accents, ** I am threatened with a law-suit for the defamation of William Doreril’s character; and that persevering, obstinate, dogged old man, Mr. Junthorpo, is at the bottom of it all. It ia doubt- ‘less bis gold that will enable Deveril to.carry on the |. process.’ If by any accident he should. contrive to believe Deveril’s story for a moment: but: how coulu I ever look him in the face ayain if I were to write and tell him that I will sign an acknowledginent of my own guilt P” “It is indeod mpst serious,” rejoined Staunton. “Edmund's mistross is the only one to be feared: on my valet Alfred I can roly.” » “You have not ‘brought him down with your” said Lady Saxondale quickly: “ for I could not lovk bim in the‘face——”, “No,” answered &taunton. “My aunt and I'lo- rina had to bring thoir two maids; and they would not consent that too many persons should encumber the carriage. Besides, from motivos of delicacy— having unfortynately told Alfred the whole story in a fit of spleen and spite—I would not insist upon bringing him.” . * But who is Edmund's mistress? I suspected that he had one, as he has been so constantly away from homo of late——” “She is an opega-dancer, known as Madomoisolle D’Alombert: her real namo is Emily Archer. I can no doubt manage her. She is venal—und money will effectually silence her.”’ ° “Bat if she should have already gossipped upon the subject ?” observed Lady Saxondale. “ Fdo not think it is likely,” returned Staunton : “but of course I cannot take upon myself to answer for her discretion. You sce that 1 do not buoy you up with vain hopes.” “ No: it were foolish to do so. Will you return to London, upon some pretence, as soon as possible, and see her? You shall have chequcs upon my bankers, that you may possess adequate means to satisfy her: rapaaity. Can you ‘not pretend to- morrow that you have received some important letters from London requiring your prompt presence thee ?” 'Yda: leave it to me to manage,” rephed Staun- ton, still thoughtfully and almost abstractedly, as if while he wag talking upon one subject he was ree in SS (CO) EO NOG