The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

r) a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ane: OCR GS G=— quay eeet w-was~, = 8... “No—I must return to London,” said Deveril: language continuo to pile up mystery upon mys- “and therefore ‘whatever is to pass betweerr us, lst | tery.” it take place now. I feel stronger than I was; and Y am alrdady interested in the discourse. n® “Then have the goodness to answer my questions,” rejeined the woman. “On his death-bed mp father endeavoured to say something. Ho was stricken with paralysis, and his speech came with the utmost difficulty. A fow -words however I did succeed in catchi “And those words?” demanded the woman, with an cagerness that contrasted ‘strangely with her usually cold stern imperturbability of manner. “Those words were exactly these:—‘ Strotling players—manager—Thompson—could tell all?” * And have you any idea of what those allusions meant ?” ‘“[ can only suppose that inasmuch as my father and mother had originally been ponnected with a troop of itinerant actors——— “Ts your mother alive?” demanded the wefan abruptly. “No: she diced between eleven and twelve years ago.” “What are you"doing in the neighbourhood of Saxondale Castle?” she now asked, in that peremp- tory way of her's which seeméd to imply that re- sponses must bo given to her querigs. “T cannot permit myuelf to be questioned any far- ther,” said Deveril coldly. “Yes: but I insist upon having your answers !” exclaimed the woman: then observing that a sudden flush of indignation appeared upon tho invalid’s countengnce, sho immediately added, ‘‘ There! now don’t be silly—I did not mean to offend you. It is the way in which I speak. Of course I do not wish to pry into your secret affairs: but if you hadvbeen to Saxondale Castle, it is somewhahimportant that I should know it.” , 7 And how so P” asked Severil. rf “You must not beagme the questioner,” replied the woman. ‘ Do you know Lady Saxondale ?”— and she fixed her eyes with sb singular, so peculiar, so earnest # look upon the youtbythat he felt troubled as if he were being plunged info a vortex of un- fathomable mysteries. “Yos—I know her ladyship,” he answered: and he felt urged on thus to answer by a power stronger than himeelf. “But I have not been to see her now--nor have I set foot within the walls of Saxondale Castle. Tadeed, I was never there in my lit te. oD « Never !—Ah!™ —and the expression of the woman’s countenance now became so exceedingly singular that Deveril started up in the couch. . ‘What in heaven’s name,” he cried, “is the meaning of all this? Why do you look at me thus ? To what is this conversation to lead? For God’s sake speak—explain yourself! Do you know that ‘you are torturing mo cruelly? = I deserve it not at your hands!” “No indeed—you deserve not forture from me— for you have saved iny life at the deep risk of your own :”—and tho woman spoke with an impressive- ness as peculiar as hor looks. “ Pray-believo me when I say that I would not torture yo willingly, nor excite you unnecessarily. Lie dowf—oom pose yourself——— “Tt is impossible so long as our looké and your ao eae frven = » “It cannot be helped: I must pursue my own course. And now tell mo—if you aro acquainted with Lady Saxondale, why havo you not called upon h& at the castle? why should you be iu the neigh- bourhood without seeing her, and yet knowing or p?? Deveril did not immediately answer: he paused to reflect what answer he should givo, or whether anyatall. While thus deliberating, bis eyes settled upon the woman’s countenance; and he beheld such an air of grave decision and solemn importance im- printed there, notwithstanding tho ‘repulsive harsh- ness of her features, that he was convinced she had really the deepest meaning in putting all these questions to him. Indeed, she was evidently not @ woman who would interrogate him for mere illo’ curiosity’s sake. In her very rage and in her ugii. ness—gye, even, in her sinister looks, there was a certaiy intellectual superiority together with a vigour of purpose apparent through all. Hoe thcre- fore decided upon answering her queries last put. “ Businges with another person brought me into this reighbourbood. Who that person is, I do not choose to name, and beg that you will not ask. I came not to see Lady Saxondale—and to speak plainly, I do not wish to see her. She has used me ill.’ “In what way P” demanded the woman. “T do not know that there is any necessity for being reserved on this point,” returned Deveril, sinoe she hag told her own tale to all her acquaint- aneas. In a wold then, I had for some months past béen wont to give lessons ip painting to the Hon. Misses Farefield at Saxondale House in Park Lane, London—until her ladyabip | made improper over- tures towards me——~” “ Ah!” said the woman, not loud but with a deep and almost subdued sound: and again was there something extraordinary but most unfathomable in her looks. “ Proceed. You rejected these overturcs, | did you not—did you not ?” she asked quickly. “T did: and, this was my offence against Lady Saxondale. She proved vindictive,—bitterly, bitterly vindictive-—-and. propagated tho vilest calufnics amongst her friends, to the effect that it was I who had made improper advanous towards her.” “ Let me look you full in the face. There! meet my eyes. Your's quail not. Yes—you are speak- ing truly; there is siftcerity in every feature. You are as good as you beautiful. Nevertheless, look me again full in the face, and ,repeat that it was not you that made the overtures.” As there is a God to judge me,” exclaimed De- veril, with indignant emphasis, “I did not do so It gas her ladyship '” “Enough—I believe you as firmly as if I had been a witness of the wholo scene. Tlerefore, after that occurrence,” continued the woman, “ you went no more to Saxondale House ?” ‘‘T went to demand redress, but obtaining none, * returned nob again. Oh! now, for heaven's suke, tell me the drift of all these questions!” and De. veril spoke with anxious entroaty. “We must go back,” said the woman, not heed- | | ing his earnest words nor his pleading looks, “ te : earlier times. You say your parents wore strollin;z players?” ED eile EES? Ses ww -O at Cees: Eeeess-228. ee | | ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)