The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 386: what you’re looking at

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

) THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. $13 “Oh, my deng aunt!” exclaimed thé’ beauteous | termined to put a bold facu on the matter; and girl, bounding from her seat and embracing Lady | terefore he was entering the room with a jaunty Mecdonald fervently. “You koownot what hap- ! free-and-easy look and manner, when he was taken piness your words have given me! I¢ was.only in ; considerably aback on beholding Mr. Gunthorpe. obedience to your wishes that I ever consented tg ; For knowing that the old gentleman had been in receive a suit all alo&g so odious to me.” Lincolnshire at the time of the murder, he could not “We will say no more upon that part of the | help fancying that his presence at Lady Macdonald's: subject, my dear Flo,” interrupted her ladyship. | on this occasion, was to give some explanation or “ Mr. Guothorpe has made me fully aware of the | warning not altogether favourable to his (Saxon- ‘impropriety and’ imprudence of opposing the na- | dale’s) engagemeut with Florina. He therefore tural current of tho heart's affections. Besides, | started, and stopped short “for @ moment: but Florina, [ have ceasod to ontertaid any respect for | quickly recovering his effrontery, he exclaimed, | | Lady Saxondale. I have heard such sad things | “Ah, Mr. Gunthorpo! What—are you here ft” concetning hcr——But you are already acquainted} “You seo that I am,” responded the old gentlo- with them all: Mr. Deveril has informed you of | man; “and this time, Lord Saxondale, I do aot ; everything.” ® think that you will threaten to have me kicked out | “And Mr, Deveril will receive permission,” added ; of the house, as you did when last we mot—which | Mr. Gunthorpe, “to pay his respects to you, Florina, | waa in Park Lane.” » at your aunt's house.” ‘ * «Oh! never mind the past,” ejaculated the young ‘Need we say that a still sunnier joy than her | yobleman, looking somewhat confused however: eyes had already shown, now danced {n® those | then advancing tuwards the young lady, heoxtended beauteous orbs—or that still deepor blushes ap- ! his hand, saying, “ Well, Flo, so you have got back | peared upon Florina’s cheeks This? was indeed a | from Lincolnshire ?” | moment of happiness well and amyfly repaying her | She did not accept the proffered hand; and her for any pas? sorrows she had ondured. Again did | look remained grave—but no word passed hor she embraco her aunt; and then roturning to her | lips. soat by Mr. Gunthorpo's side, she took his hand,| ‘Cool, ch?” muttered Lord Saxondale to himself: aud pressed it gratefully to her lips. , « | then turning towards the aunt, he said, “And how “But what about my poor brother?” sho said, is your ladyship? Why, what tho deuce is the mat- | after a pause, and while a cloud suddenly gathered | ter? ‘You all seem so uncommonly scrious !”” upon hor brov. ° ‘Perhaps your lordship will sit down,” intcr- “Where is he at this moment?” demanded Mr. | rupted Lady Macdonald, pointing to a chair at a ‘Gunthorpe. “Oh! I recollect. Your aunt told little disjancesfrom the group: “for it is necessary me just now: ho remains at Saxondale Castle— that you syould receive a curtain explanation from | having becn thrown from a horse about .a weck : my lips.” 3 back. But fortunately he has received no serious | Edmund took the chair accordingly, and endea- | hurt. Now, Florina, tho conduct of your brother | yourcd to assume—or rather to porsovere in tho | is far from satisfactory to those who are interested | assumption of an off-hand and uneuncerned man- in him: but he must bo left tv his cAvn course for | ner: but ho nevertheless felt’ confused and un- the present,” easy. * «Ah! I have the most scrious apptchensions on | ‘My lord,” continucd Lady Macdonald, “from his account!” exclaimed Florina. ‘I fvar lest that ! some additional particulars which have appeared in wicked woman Lady Saxondalo——” .the newspapers relative to o cortuin lamentable “Well, but wo must talk no moro upon that sub- | tragedy-wand which particulars cannot have escaped ject now,” interrupted MY. Gunthorpo. “From all your notice+it is but tuo evident that one of tho I know of your brother, ho is not a man to bo unfortunate victims had for several weeks past been either persuaded or cverced into ono particular , living under your protection.” . course when he has set his mind on another. Luw-; ‘“ Woll, what of it?” cjaculated Edmund. “TI am ever, do not bo afraid that ho will be altogether lost . not married to Flo yet; and of course should have sight of ——” ° ' cut the concern as svon as we were married. Thicse At this moment tho door opened, gnd a domestic things are always done by young men; and | don't entertd to announce that Lord Saxondale had just suppose you want to mako mo an exception tu the called. Both Lady Macdonald and Florina threw : general rule.” ? @ ! quick glances of inquiry upon Mr. Gunthorpe to; “It is not to argue the point, Lord Saxondale," ascertain from his louks what cougse ho would re- ; said Mr. Gunthorpe, with a severe luok, “that her commend: and he at once made? a sign that the _ ladyship whs addressing you—but to mako a certain young nobleman should be shown up. ‘| announcement which it is neodful you should ° © Jt will be as woll,” he said, when tho dpymestic hear.” “Ob, Iean guess wAnt’s coming ‘” cried Edmund ae ee aa Oe cee had quitted the room, “ that this stripling should be frankly dealt with at once ; and as the upportunity presents itself, let the explanation take place in my presence. You, Lady Macdonald, must speak ; but rest assured that I shall come to your rescue, if he darea display any of his flippant impertinence.” Scarcely had Mr. Gunthorpe fiuished speaking, when the door opened again, and Lord Saxdhdale was announced. Apprehonsive, as the reader has already seen, that his affair with Emily Archer | might be known in Cavendish Square, bo had de- EE G.4eG.' Seer: = ewe 6 ces wep ae snuppishly: “ but I am not to bo put off so easy, ] can tell you. What the deuce, Mr. Gunthorpe, have you got to do with the busincss? why are you poking your nose in the affair? And by the bye, if you have been telling any talys about ing, 1 can tell one about you. That day you dined with Lord Harola in Jermyn Street, didn't you get must blasing druok 7” “No, sir,” responded Mr. Gunthorpe stersty: “I affycted to he overcome with liquer, in order that I COMIC OOO© SS (CO)