The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 388: what you’re looking at

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

Sg A THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. . s75 2, ee EES CE ED. -_ -——e.s ewes = in Lady Macdonajd’a opinion than ever?nced I as- Suifice it fur you to know that I entertain the este you that she is fully convinced of your inno- warmest and sincerest interest in your behalf.” | eenca-and of Lady Saxondale’a guil@? But theres “Oh, that proof of munificence which you left | is uno picce of intelligence which I must hasten to with me yesterday ‘” exclaimed Lady Bess. “It is | _giva you: which 1s, that the engagement is brokenea fortune! But see—I have not dared to avail .}. off with Lord Saxondale—and you are now the ac- myself of your bounty! I vive it you back again: _ cepted auitor of Lady Florina Staunton.” ‘fur now that you know all, you must feel how A cry of joy, fervid and enthusiastic, burst from ; thoroughly unworthy I ain of your kindness :”— the lips of William Deveril, as be threw himself; and as she spoke, she drew forth from her bosom upon his knees, ad taking Mr. Gunthorpe’s hand, | the cheque which Mr. Gunthorpe had left on tho pressed it between both his own. Tears of mingled | preceding day. gratitude and delight trickled from the dark eyes of the lovely Angela; and Mr. Gunthorpe wag deeply affecte? By the scene of happiness which be thus witnessed and of which he was the author. =e Mo soon afterwards*took his departure; but on his way back to his own mangjon at Stamford Hall, he stopped for a few moments at Mrs. Leyden’s dwelling to inform Henricjta that he was pertectly satisfied with the result of his interview with Adol- phus at Mrs. Chandos’s cottage, and that A.P had every hope of bliss to anticipate from that young nubleman's love: Thus did the old “gentleman, while his own heart was secretly devoured with care, busy himeelf ‘to promote the happiness of others ; and to a certain cxtent it was a relief to his own sorrows that he was enabled to do so. At eleven o'clock on the fullowing day, Mr. Gun- thorpe’s carriage again drew up in front of the picturesque cottage near Kdmonton. Hlizabeth immediately cathe forth to welpome the old gente- man: and she informed him that her brother and Adolphus had gone out fogether for a long ranble in the neighbouring lanes and ficlds. “T am glad of it,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, hindly but mournfully; “tur 1 wish fo have @ serious—a very serious conversation with you. Wall you be enabled to give me two or three hours of your time this morning ?”. ‘ “Yes—assugodly,” responded Elizabeth: but she was struck by the mournfulness of Mr. Gunthorpo’s look and manner—and the truth flashed in unto her mind. The old gentleman dismissed hig carriage for the present, biddinyy the coachman return at two o'clock ; and be then entered the parlour with Lady Bess. Closing the door, she looked him full in the face —but yet with an expression of profound sorrow and humiliation on her Yeaturcs—saying, ‘Mr. Gunthorpe, do you not despise mo? @o you not scorn anfi loathe ute?” “My God, no!” be ejaculated with a strange ex- citement: and taking her hand, he pressed it long and warmly, while the tears ran dowg hie cheeks. You suspect, Elizabeth, that I have’ learnt some- thing concerning you——” * Yog—I soe it in your manner—I know thateyou have!” she answered, weeping. “But how ig it possible that you could come near me agein? how is it that you can thus demonstrate so much kin¢ and generous feeling towards me? Who are you, Mr. Gunthorpe? Tell me who youare/ That isa question which I have asked myself a thousand times since you were here yesterday—a question that I must ask a thousand times again until ydu solve it !” ° “T cannot now, Elisabeth,” replied the old gen- tleman. ‘But shortly—very shortlys—I may do go “Keep it, Elizabeth—keep it—it is your's,” ho said, gently pushing back her hand which held tho draft. “Would to heaven that ten thousand times the amount would redeem the past!” _ ° “Ah, would ghat I cofld redeem it!” ejaculated Elizabeth: “but at least I may atone for it ~and mast solemn is my resolve to make such a‘one- ment.” ° #1 came not to reproach you, my dear Elizn- beth,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, still profuundly affected —‘‘but to bear from your lips the narrative of tlint Past for which you promise utonement. I am sure you will not refuse me your confidence.” g No—not for worlds!” ecrivl Lady Bess, with unfeigned sincerity. “Your goodness towards me demands it—and | feel algo, without knowing why, that you havea rizht to expect it. Most saecredly do I assure you, Mr. Gunthorpe, that my mind was inade up to tell you everything the next time you called, even though you should not have elsewhere disco*ered that dread secret which has filled you with so n&ch Generous alflichion on my beball: Oh! but I hiwe been hauuted by the fear, ever since you left this house yesterday, that you would never regjurn! IT was seized with a presentiment that you were going somewhere to make inquiries that would bring to your knowledvze this sad phase n my evontful life; aud inethourht that if you did thus learn it, you would cast me out with scorn and loathing from your memory.” “No, Elizabeth—lIl could not do that,” said Mr. Gunthorpe: “and that I could not, the proof is that IT am‘chere again to-day! And now that I have given you the assurance that it is not :ny pur- pose to reproach you, I bog you will dclaymot, ny dear Elizabeth, in lifting the veil thaf covers the mystery of your life. Conceal nothing from me. W hatsoever you may have to confess, will not draw vitupera'gon frum roy lips: nothing but sympathy shull fuwthenee. Ypu have not known me lung but perhaps you havo seen enough of me to trust im this assurance ?”’ , ’ “If gny encouragement were wanting,’ said Elizabeth, deeply moved, “to indyce me to make the fullest revelations, it has just been given in these kind words that you have spoken.” She seated herself near Mr. Gunthorpe; and ina calm firm voice, commenced her narrative'in the following manner. ; ° CHAPTER LXXX COMMENCEMENT OY LADY BESSS HISTORY. F “Tug earliest period of existence to which iny memory can be carried back, is connected with this cottage. ITore.I dwelt in my infancy, with un 2 a ee ee Cae L wee OS oe - Eo ep = Sb a = ee es os eae EE > ae =e | i ee ee oe ls OOO) OY COMIC SS (CO)