The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 364: what you’re looking at

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

EE oe een aS EMCEE an LS A — a ST a re a NS equa — a THE MYSTERIES if trom palsidd fingers : for the stupor of dismay seized all in a moment upon Lady #axondale. Yes—if seized upon her in a moment: but its para- lysing effect lasted only for that moment. She racovered her presence ofgnind as quickly as she had Fost it: that is to say, she had recovered it suffi- ciently to stoop down and pick up the card—na movement which she accomplished ao rapidly that it , even anticipated thateof the servant who likewise stooped to pick it up. The outward and visible evidences of Lady Sarondalés cmotidns were so transitory—passing in a swift brief instant—that the domestjc did not notice them, but though?that it was thfough a puro accident the card had beep thus-dropped. © g “Show Dr. Ferney into this room,” said Lady Saxondale: and though it cost hér an almost super- human offurt to spesk with a fogced calmness, it nevertheless struck her that fier voice was hollow and sepulchral—at laast it sounded so unto hor 8h ears. o The domestic bowed and withdrew; and® the in- stant he had quitted the library, Lady Baxondale pressed hor right diand to her throbbing brows, mur- muring, “My God, my God! what will happen next P” A thundorbolt falling upon her, head af that in- stant would have been mercy: for the wildest, most aconizing terrors wero agitating in her brain, as she thought to herself that there was but one possible object for which Dr. Ferndép could visit her—an object which menaced ber with utter annihilation ! Suddenly however a brightd¢hing, chepring thought flashed in unto her mind. Dr. Ferney loved her— had loved her for many long, long years—was de- voted to that mystorious interest of her’s which for the instant she had deemed sv imperilled; and he would not betray her—no, she felt assured that he would not! a glance, tov, of her mentd| vision, she neviewed Vhe*®circumstances of their” recent mecting—and how he had solemnly proclaimed his readiness to lay down his hfe for hor rather than breathe a word that should hurt her. She reflected likewise on tho amiahility of generosity of his nature: and she thought also of the immense power of her own charms—her own fuscinations. By the time therefore that the door opened again, Lady Saxondale was herself once more—atrong-minded, buld, courageous, resolute— prepared for any emorgency. But she tomained seated at the table witl, her back towards the open- ing door, that a too sudden discovery of her identity on the part of the physician should not elicit from him an ejaculation that would excite the astonish ment of the domestic. Nevertheless, Lady Saxon- dale felt more than half persuaded that The precau- tion wes unnecessary : for must he not have already discorered that Mrs. Smith and Lady Saxondalo were one and the same? and was it ncé on account e OF THB COURT. 361 “ Yes, Dr. Ferney,” suid her ladyship, extending her hand with the most gracious affubility towards him: “it is I~and now the mystery is cleared up: Nrs. Smith exists for you no longer |" “Ts it possible? is i¢ pussible?” murmured the doctor, with confusion in his brain: and he took the proffered hand in a mechanicalPunconscious nner. ‘My dear friend, pray be soated,” said her lady- ‘ship. “Come,.place yourself on this sofa; and I will sit down by your side. What has procured me the pleasure of your visit ?” “ And you are Lady Saxondalo?”™ he said, still gazing with a sort of vacant incredulity upon the mistress of the castle: “yo% are Lady Suxondale ?” And most welcomo are you at Saxondale Castle! But do. tell me, my dear Dr.. Ferney, what has | brought. you hither? Is thero anything amiss? Why lo you still gaze upon. me in this manner? You really begin to frighton me. Are you not towards me the same kind and devoted friend I have ever thought you?” - “ Yos—{iod grant that I may be enabled to con- tinue so!” was the physician’s solemn response: and’ now he appeared to be recovering somewhat of his wonted self-possession. . “You will hasten to tell me, then, what has brought you hither?” said fer ladyship; “for it is evident enough that in seeking Lady Saxondals, you did not expect to meot the Mrs. Smith of other times. Therefore I suppose your visit has nothing to co with the ciroumstances which first rendered us acquainted ?"’e *« No—nothing, nothing,” fejoined the doctor; and his answer alfurded unspeakable relief to Lady Saxondale. “I have come upon quite another business—but a most unpleasant one: and to tell your ladyship the truth, I know not how to break it to you. Yet why should I not? Doubtless you will be enabled to explain it. God grant that you will be so!” ‘Pray tell me, my dear friend, what all this ‘ meansP. You are rendering me exceedingly un- s disposition—the ! easy.” _ © Listen then,” resumed tke doctor, “who I explain myself. You know, Lady Saxvodale, the passionate devotion I have ever entertained fur all those pursuits Which are connected with the myste- ries of my profession—and that amongst them, that of anatomical research has not been tho least. For many years past, I have however practised this branch but little. Excuse me for tow&hing upon such topics: but it is necessary. Tho other night a dead body was brought to my house: efor occasion. ally I do return ® that pursuit which was once the most favourite of all. Well, then, Lady Saxondale —-a body was brought to my house: it was, the corpse of a female—an elderly one; and the mo- ment I beheld it, I was smitten with a suspicion of this discovery that he had ‘tome to visit her now? ; that the deceased had not come fairly by her death. * Dr. Ferney,” exclaimed the domestic, announc- | It boro the external evidences of poison—but not of door of the library closed again. ing tho physician in the usual way: and then the any common polson—a poison of s vory subtle and | peculiar nature, the evidences of whéch could only Lady Saxondale rose from the table: but the | be known to the experienced eye. And my suspi- instant that Dr. Ferney caught a glimpse of her ' Gon proved correct: for anatomical research showed gountenance, he did give vent to an ejaéulatfon of wonder ‘and amasement—and he staggered back as if stricken a fierce blow by tho hand of an, invisible giant, > Pe Caegh hE ao aE = en i ee TD ‘me that thie woman had died by that very poison which I myself had succeeded in eliminating somo weeks back, and which I showed %o you on the night you visited me at my house! ” ‘ ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)