The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 340: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. qa oe EER uws Gs. « glove from the carpet. “This is not your's, ht all events; and I don’t think you can advance jt as one Gf your prvofs of fidelity ” | “To be sure not,” replied Emily, with the calin- esv indifference. “That glqye belongs to a better man than you are——although,” she murmured in an undertone, “I have quarrelled with him.” “What's that you are saying ?” ejaculated Saxon-. dale, livid with rage. “‘3Vho has been to see yon while I was out? You promised to remain alto- gether alone this evening, as you wore not going to the Opera— “ But it appears that I have had a visitor, ee- torte Knmuty, with a malicious smile. “ And who was your visitor ?” demanded Edmund, trembling with rage. “ T owe no accountof my agtions to you,” ' was the response, disdainfully given. “Yes—but you do, thoug "*eigculated. Saxon- dale: “for if L thought you had deceived me a@é wore making a fvol of me, you gay depend upon it I would not take the thing very easily. But how it is—you want to pick a quarrel with me, to drive me out of theshouse. Perhaps you havo pot (he owner of this glove concoaled .somewhoro? or you are in hopes he will come Wack to roclaim it? By Jove!” he suddenly exclaimed, “I have a very great mind to acurch the whole place from top to bottom.” “Do so,” said Emily, contemptuously. “ But observe, if yeu find no one, I shall take your gus- picions.as an outrage leaving no alternative but to break off ev erything between ws.” “You are trying to prevent me from. doing wliat I threatened,” cried Saxondalo, “and therefore T will ilo it. ” e pp se: = a ee PE oe ee ee Midietee a27 agree =e CT ees eee eee ae oe gy - conocaled in 2 the house, it would not be in Emily’ s | own chataber, he searched tho one immediately be a it, Lord Harold Staunton, hearing him rush o quickly up the stairs, naturally fancied there was thing wrong; and not wishing to quarrel with Saxondale at a time when he entertained inatri- monial projects in respect to his mother, he thourht to escape unperceived whilo lus triend was in the back room, whither he had heard him enter. But just at the moment that Staunton wus stealing {urth, Saxondale camo out again from that room; and they met face to face upon tho landing. ‘Then was it that ejaculations of astonishment and ra:o burst. forth from Edmund's lips: for he was instan- | tancously struck by what appeared to be tho perfidy of his bosom-friend. As for Staunton, ho was really thrown quite aback; and his natural eflrontery availod him not for the moment. “Thi#is too bad, Harold !" said Lord Saxondale, suddendy experiencing the most fiend-like hate against his former: friend, but yet not having the courage to testify his:resentment in a manly way. Before Harold could make up his midd ‘what re- sponse to give, Emily Archer, closely followed by the soubrette, carse hurrying up tho staircase,—the furmer laughing right merrily. “Very well!” exclaimed Saxundale, white with rage: ‘thig is no longer a plage for me. Of course, Lord Harold, everything is at an end between us; and as [ understand that you have been on a visit % the Castle, I bope that for decency’s sake you will not again get fupt in any house that will one day be mine.” Ffaving thus spoken, and without wailing for any reply, — indeed, not without a fear that Harold | might probably kick him down stairs,—Lord Saxon- Thus speuking, he seized up a wéx-candle from | dale turned abruptly round and sped away with © tho mantel-piece and rushed ut of the room, Jeaving the dour wide open—whilo Runily, throwing Gerselt upon the sofa, sent forth a merry musical laugh, which reached his cars as he dashed up the stair- case. Almost immediately afterwar ls sgn soubrette stole into the drawing-room; and bendtug over her mis- €reas, said with friehtened looks, “‘ Good heavens, ma'am, he will be diseovored !” “What do you mean?” cricd Emily, with un- feigned astonishment. “Ob! you know wel] enough. sLord Harold——” “Lord Harold ?” echoed the danseuss. “ Ie took his departure before Saxondale camo.” 7 *But he returned—ho told me “that I wag to admit him—he went up-stairs— he is there now——” “Ah!? ejaculated Emily, tho trath ifistanta- neously flashing to her cofaprvhonsion. "But ho will not, find it though : fur itis ina cupboard down atairs,”’ “Find what, ma'am P” rapidity which had something ignominivps in it, end almost gave him the air of being the injuring party iustead of the ono who was injuted. Neithes Harold nor Emily made a movement or uttered a word to retain him: fur the former felt all the awk- wardness of his situation, whilo the latter was por- fectly indifferent so far as her lato admirer was con- corned—and indeed, was not sorry to be quié of him. But so soon as ho had disappearcd frém her view, she suddenly ceased laughing ;—and with a dienity which even tho most depraved of womon can assiune at timogs, she advanced up to Staunton, saying, “ You area detcstable villain!” “ Ah! these ara harsh ferms, Emily!” ejaculated the young nobleman, his countenancy becoming suffused with crimson. — “Dare not address me in that familiar style !’— then turning to ker soubrette, Emily said, extending her arin and pointing towards Harold, “That man is a robber—a lurking thief—a snewking burglar!” “By God! Emily, this if’moro than | cum en- dure!” exclaimed Staunton, all the coluur vanishing At this moment cjnculatiors of ast8nishment and ; from his face and leaving it livid pale rege, bursting from Saxondale’s lips on the landing ! “Yes—you are everything I have described, | | | above, reached tho cars of the danseuse and tho - Begone, my lord!—or as truo as I am a living soubrette. For a momont the latter looked dis- ‘ woman, I will givo you into custody for felony.” mayed: but the former, bursting out into a hearty | y 1 will make you repent this,” muttered Harold fit of laughter, exclaimed, “Oh! this is execllent— ‘ between his teeth, as he passod by the danscuss this is delicious! Will it not be something to be and began descending the stairs. talked about? Come, let us see!” | © Pou will make me repont?” she exclaimed, in Meanwhile Lord Saxondalo had ascended to the ' mingled mockery and indignation. ‘ Begone, snenk- landing above; and thinking that if a lover wero ing thief!" : defy you.” ey ee LOOKS .CO A