The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 315: what you’re looking at

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

ec a i TS ee a ne = - en SR cy ee oe eee ee eee eel ea IT ELIOD, — SE SLS di d your bidding my reward was to be the highest that woman could bestow. To the best of my power I did your bidding. Ifeaven knows but too well that I did my best to Jay Deveril dead upon the field,—and the crime is registered in that same heaven avainet me! When I sought you afterwards, how was I treated? I need not do more than re- mind you of all that passed between us. Now you have summoned me into your presence again—but not willingly, spontaneously, of your own accord. No.: again do you require my servicos; and there- foro did you send for me to become your in- strument, your ‘agent, and your tool. In all theso matters you have shown yourself intengoly | th selfish, Harriet; and I have nothing to thank you for. But do you suppose that I will consent to serve your purposcs thus, as a mere convenience—« sort. of hircling? ’Tis true that our connexion has be- come suddenly intimate: yet what guarantee have I that when your aim is answered and fis dilemma of your’s is seltled, you will not cast me.off with scorn againP At all events, as you have svught to make me serve your purposes, it is but a just retali- ation that I should make you serve mine. It thero- fore suits me to claim you a4 my-wifeé; and upon the written condition that you will become so, will I repair to London and completely baffle all your evemics.” “And you have maturely considered your plans P” paid Lady Saxondale, over whose countenance sud. deuly passed that same dark and ominous expres- sion which had on two or thrée oocasiona appeared hero is a cheque for a thousand guineas. THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ee O ses © Oe eee: «= * a ala. Proceed. ” © Now then, begin thus:—‘I the undersigned, Harriet Sacondale, feeling myself to be under the deepebt obligations to Lord ‘Harold Staunton, for delicate services which he has rendcrod me, and entertaining for that no®leman the sincerest love and affection, do hereby pledge myself to bestow upon him my hand in marriage at the expiration of oné month from the present date; and inasmuch as I am aware that fof my sake he is renouncing certain Drilliant prospects of his own in # matri- — point of view, I do horeby, bind mysclf in thegain of one hundred thousand pounds to fulfil mpact within or af the period above spo- ecified.’ ”’ “Te that all p asked Lady Saxondale, who had written with a firm band to Staunton's dictation. “I think that is 4n admirable document—terse and busincss-like—and with as few falsehoods in it as such a.thing can possibly have. Your love and affectitn for me, and the brilliant matrimonial pros- pects which I renounce, are the only fictions: but they are eautiful ones of their kind. A lawyer would have crammed in a thousand falsehoods, and not one so romantic or touching.” “Cease this Jevity, Harold: for tho carriage is .@lroady at the door.” . » “Pardon me: but 1 was in a lively mood. Now your pretty signature to that docement—and [ am off,” « “It is completed,” said Lay Soxondale. “.And Will that thereon during her disputes with tue deccased | suffice for the purposes you have in hand ?” Mabel. ‘ Have I not spoken iff the calm, quiet, and deli- berate style of a man who has well considered the project which he propoundsP”—and as Harold gave utterance to these words, his own looks assumed the firmest docision: for ‘he had construed that ominous expreasion on Lady Saxondalo’s fuce to be’ the more offect of ber angry feelings—he cone sidered it indeed to be the passing cloud of an in- dignation to a tempestuous outburst of which she dared not give vent. “Well then,” said her ladyship, after a pause, ' “if you be so resulate, [ havo no alternative but to consent—inasinuch as I perceive you consider me to be so completely in your power——" . * You understand your position,” interrupted Harold. “ With a breath I could destroy you. My testiigony on the eide of Deveril in the Jaw-suit. whivh is threatencd, would be damnatory: for ro- membex thore ia the mayquerade-dreas which your own son possessed himself of, and which could be brought as a proof? of my tale.” * Enough !” exe inimnod Lady Saxondale, for a moment biting her lip; and es she turned towards a table, on which there were writing materials, that sinistér expression, eo darkly ominous, again ap- peare:( upon Her countenauce. Sho seated herself’ at tho table, and prepared to write: but suddenly throwing down the pen, she looked up and. said, “ Perhaps you had batter draw up this promise of marriage in your own terms; one yuu write!’ “No: we need not take so much trouble as to maake copics. You can write to my dictation, Are you realy =” and [ will either copy the document, or sign tho |‘ - “Tf not, I can casily writs for more,” he ro- sponded: “but depend upon it, I do not wish to encroach more than I can help upon funds that will shortly be our’s jointly. And now farewell, my deur Harriet.” € Ho ombraced Lady Saxondaie, who suflerod rather that, returned bis caress; and then having hastened to take leave of his, aunt, Juliana, and Florina, Lord Hurold Staunton leapt into the car- riage and ect off on his way back to London. Immediately atter‘ be had taken his departure, Lady Saxondale gat dywn and penned a lettcr in a feigned hand. She thn ordered her carriage, ob- serving that she had to go to Gainsborouzh (tho nearest town) in order to transact a little business with the bunker there. As Juliana expected a call from Mr. Hawkshaw, sho did not volunteer to ace company her mother; and as her ladyship’s in- tonded ride appesred to bo of a purely basiness chatactér, Fiorina also preferred romaining at the Caatte.. As for Lady Macdonald, sho was too much fatiguéd with the long journey of the previous day to stir out; and thus Lady Saxondale’s secret hope was fulfilled, that dhe would bo enabled to visit Gainsborough alone. She bad iti reality no busiuess of any kind to transact with the banker, but merely sought an opportunity of, putting her letier with her own hand inta the post, so that none of her dependants might perceive the address, » EO NOG SS (CO)