The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 373: what you’re looking at

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360 ments, though more than sixteen years have elapsed since I beheld him—and then he was but twelve years old.” “Sixteen and twelve are twenty-cight—and Adolphus is twenty-eight!” cried Henrietta, with increasing satisfaction. “Ah, I see that you love him!” said Mr. Gun- thorpe; “and no matter whether he be the real Lord }-verton or not, if he’ is a worthy young man——” “Alas! consider all his sufferings,” murmured Tenrietta, the tears starting into her eyes. “For sixteen years was ho the inmate of a place that to tim was a prison. He has scen too little of life to have learnt any of its evil ways.” ‘That captivity,” obsorfed Mr. Gunthorpe, with a do2per gravity than before, “is in iteelf almost a sufficient proof that he is the real Lord Everton. Oh! what guilt does that man—his uncle—havb to answer for! But I must now delay not. Fareyell for the present. I shall call again on my, way homeward: ag I dare say a certain-young lady,” he arlded, looking archly at Henrietta, “ will be anxious to know the result of my interview.” . Thus speaking Mr. Gunthorps quitted the room; and was hurrying forth to his carriage, when 1% recollected that he was not exactly acquainted with the whereabouts of tho cottage to which he was about tu proceed. He therefore returned for the requisite explanation, which Henrietta speedily gave him. He -then ontcred his volicle, having | directed the coachman whither to proceeds Tho distance was not long; and in « shert time the equipage drove up to the front of Iady Bess’s pic- furesque cottage. P We should here remind the reader that Henrietta had not informed either her mother or Mr. Gun- thorpe of the one incident on that memorable night of her release from Beech-Tree Lodge, which had for the time being filled her bosom with injurious suspicions against Lady Bess, whom she only knew es Mrs. Chandos. Oonsequently Mr. Gunthorpe was unacquainted with anything to the prejudice of this amazonian heroine. And tho roader must like- wise recullect that Lady Bess had, by her sophistry, explaiied away those suspicions from Menrietta’s mind, on the first occasion when the young girl called at the cottage. But to continue our tale. When Mr. Gunthorpe’s carriage drovo up to the door, Rosa the ecrvant- woman, imimodiately came forth; and on the old gentleman giving his name, he was at once intro- duced into tKo tastefully furnished little parlour: for tkat namo was known at the cottage—and honourably known too, on account of all ‘that Hen- rietta Leyden had said in consfexion with it. | Elizabeth Chandos and hor brother Francis Paton were alono tugether in the parlour at the time when Mr. Gunthurpe was thus introduced. They rose to “receive him: bat they were struck by the singular degree of interest with which he surveyed them. He did not speak a word: his lips moved—it was evident that something unspoken was wavering upon them— but to which he could not give utter. anco. To their farther surprise, mingled with alarm, he tottered to a seat, and sank upen it, saying, “A "glass of water—give me a glass of water—I am ill.” There was a decanter on the little sideboard, and | Lady Bess, hastening to fill a tumbler, presented it te Mr. Gunthorpe, who merely drank a fow drops— = —_—_—_—_—_———— a (are om --—-om oe "(ec 8 bt Oe 4%. wo oer THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. and then, speedily recovering, sdid, “‘ Yorgive the érouble I am occasioning: but the heat of the weather is quite overpowering. I folt as if I wore about to faint.” “ Do you feel better now, sjr?” asked Lady Bess in a kind voice. “Is there anything we can do for you? Frank, run and get up some wine -——”’ ; “No: do not give yourself the trouble,” exclaimed ‘Mr. Gunthorpe. “J never touch it in the middle of the day-——Besiddés, I am altogether well now. Where is your‘ guest—Lord Everton I mean——” “He is in his own room,” said Frank. “I will fetth him. He was with us"a fey minutes bac nS | ‘ . “No: do not call him immediately,” said Mr. Gunthorpoe. “I wish to say a few words to you two:"—and he again looked first at Lady Bess, then at Francis Paton—then back again at the amazonian lady—with"a singular interest in his gaze. © “ You rendered an immense service tv a young girl in whom ] am interested,” he con- tinued aftér a pause, taking Lady Boss’s hand and pressing it ‘warmly—most warmly—in his own. “ Accept my best thanks for what yqu did upon the occasion. And now give me your hand, Francis Paton,” he said: and when he received that hand,. he pressed it as kindly and as fervently as ho had done the sister's. Lady Bess and Frank had heard from Henrictta that Mr. Gunthorpe had strange ways about him, bit possessed the most generous of hearts; and thus they were by so means annoyed at whatsoever eccen- tricity of conduct he appeared to display on this occasion. They felt that he was a gentlomah with whom they could at once find themselves on a friendly and familiar footirg; they even experienced sen- timents which seemed to draw them towards him, and give them pleasure at the kindness with which he pressed their hands and bent his looks upon them. Sut then they had, heard such excollent accounts of him from Henrietta: and therefore it appeared perfectly natural that they should like, and even love, anybody who was good to that artless young maiden whometiey buth loved and liked as a sister. “ Now, I dare say you will think me a very strange person,” said Mr. Gunthorpe; “but I am sure you will not fancy me an impertinent one, when I ask you a few questiqns. Be assured it is entirely in your Own interest that I shall interrogate you. You, Friincis Paton, have been a pago at Lady Saxondale’s—havo you not ?” * . “T have, sir—and likewise at Court,” responded the youth. ** At Court ?” ejaculated Mr. Gunthorpe. “Ah! indeed? And pray by whuse interest did you obtain that post?” ; . Frank glanced at his sister to ascertain from her looks what reply he should make; and she at once said for him, “There is every reason to believe, Mr, Gunthorpe, that’ it was through Lord Peterstield’s interest my brother obtained his appointment in the Royal Houschold: but it is absolutely certain that through that nobleman’s recommendation he was introduced into the service of Lady Saxondale.” “ Lotd Pptersfield—eh P” said Mr. Gunthorpe, in @ musing tone. “ But I suppose you have some prospects—money to receive—or something of that sort—have you not, Frank ?” Le .; ae ee eee ee = ee ee =o oe _ A: Sas, a Se er eee eee LOAO© (C©) SS (CO)