The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 384: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OP THE COURT. oo 371 a ar know wimt to think. In short, we resolved to| tain a personal interview—you might, with that consult your lordship in this most dplicate and pleagant matter. Heavon forbid that I,” Mr. Mal- ton went on to say, “should lend myself to un- worthy or unjust suspicions: but we do know, Lo . Petersfield, that women sometimes take strange whims and caprices into their head; and if it should have happened that Lady Saxondale, in a moment of weakness, spoke or looked tenderly to this youdg man, who, as your lordship’ well knows, is of ex- traordinary beauty——~Inea word, my lord, we are all frail beings in this world.” Lord Petersfield, when looking inward to the depths of his own conscience, knew full well that Mr. Malton had just given utterance toa adlemn truth; and the circumstances of his own position naturally led him to reflect that it was quite pos- sible, and even probable, that Lady Baxondale had laid herself open to grave aspersions. There was he —Lord Petersfield—a man who had filled high di- plomatic offices—whove honour and integrity fre- quently became the subject of compliment on the part of his brother-peers in the Upper House— who was occasionally alluded to in certain news- papers as a man of unimpeachable rectitude—and who, in money-affairs, was looked upon by all who knew him as an individual of scrupulous nicety,— there he waa, occupying this. proud position, and yet harbouring the secret consciousness that he was a vile plundere;*of orphans—a base betrayer of the confidence which a generous friendship had®re- posed in him—the accomplice of men of infamous character in the doing of infamous deeds! Such he knew himself to be, while tho world at large thougitt him so very different. Might not the case be some- what similar with Lady Saxondale? Might not all the pride of her virtue be a mere outward assump- tion—a mask—~an hypdorisy—a deceif? Besides, did not Lord Petersfield himself know enough of the world.—particulerly of that aristocdatic sphere in which he moved—to be well aware that female frailtios were often hidden beneath a consummate dissimulation? Arid was there not within his own knowledge the special aadveof Lady Kverton—that case in all the ramftfying results of which he had been so mixed up? These varied reflections swept rapidly through the mind of Lord Petersfield, as Mr. Malton had been speaking; and for ypwards of a minute he remained silent. “Well, my dear sir,” he at length “said, “ there may be something worthy of consideration in your remarks. But do you not see that it is a very dif- fioult matter to dealwith? Assuredly, Lady Saxon- dale must not be permitted to rush*headlong into She may. not know the nature of the evidence that her opponents are possessed of against her. Persons—as you of course are even hetter aware than myself—frequently go to law with the confident hope that evezything which is really dam- natory to themselves is unkndwn to their Oppo- nents.” “Just on, my lord,” said Mr. Malton’: “and then, | when it all comes out, and they find themselves over- whelmed with disgrace end eonfusion, they bitterly regret their folly in having pecoeverpd with law. I -wag thinking that if your lordship would only write @ pressing letter to Lady Saxondale—or what would | nob | | Well you see,” exclaimed Edmund, as he em- be much better, proseed into Linovinshire and ob- -— = omy eee A - | delicacy and tact which your lordship knows so well how to use, induce her ladyship to empower Marlow and myself to compromise this matter.” “T cannot possibly give an immediate answer,” said the nobleman. “ It requires deliberation - it is’ something to be pondered upon: I could not under- take anything rash—— “But the affair is urgent, my lord,” said Mr. Malton. “In two or three days, unless we are pre- pared to do something, Mr. Gunthorpe’s attorney will commence proceedings. ” “Well, my dear sir, I must take the rest of this day to consider the matter,” rejoined Lord Potets. field; “and I will let you know to-morrow. If I decide upon pfoceeding into Lincolnshirc——” “ You will in that case,” added Malton, wishing, ty nail the nobleman to this particular course, “ start Q-morrow morning P’ “Start, Mr. Malton?” observed the diplomatist, looking very grave and very suspicious. “I never start. I never do anything in a hurry. I do not start, as you term it: I take my departure.” “I beg your lordship’s pardon for having used so improper a term,” said the lawyer: “ I will be more guarded in fatare.” At this moment the footman entered, bearing a large official-looking packet with an enurmous eeal. Lord Petersfield took it from the silver salver on which it was presented—placed it sulemnly before hin—and waited until the servant had withdrawn before he pbrokg the seal. Then he opened the de- spatech—looked slowly round the room to convince himself that there was nobody but Malton present with him—and lastly fixed his eyes upon the lawyer himself’ as if to acquire the additional certainty that this gentleman was not prepared to take any undue advantage of the packet being opened in his pre- sence.: Malton perfectly understood what was pass- ing in the mind of the cautious diplomatist; and he could not help smiling as he rose to take his leave. But the nobleman bade him remain for a few minutes ugtil he had exumincd the despatch: Mr. Malton accordingly resumed his seat, while Lord Petersfield slowly and sulemnly perused tha contents of the document he had just received. Iaving done this, he folded it up again—placed it in the envelope —tied a piece of red tape round the packet—and then deliberately endorsed it with the day of the month and the very hour at which he had re- ceived it. “Ttisasl thought,” said his Icedship, “when I begged you to remain. I have just received an an- nouncetnent——and when I tell you this, Malton, it is with the deliberate conviction that I am justi- fied in eo telling you———that I cannot possibly pro- ceed into Lincolnshire. All I can do, is to write to Lady Saxondale. Het Majesty's Ministers, hav- ing every confidence in my ability, caution, gnd , wariness, have selected me for a special mission to | the Imperial Court of Vienna. It is not altogether I think I may gu so far as to state that I did positively expect it——” , gain the door opened; and the footman said, * Please your lordship, Lord Saxondale requests s few minutes’ interview with your lordship.” “Tet Lord Sexondale be introduced,” said the eer ] | | | ° ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)