The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 400: what you’re looking at

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

| “apon me. . of cork-trees. .-means of renderine THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. cqtrdre age Gatos a re Vee." » or (9 biflowed. * Therefore the Spanish bandit ful- filled no preconceived ideal on my, part; nor did bié handsome person, his elegant manners, or his witching conversation produce @ tender impressiog 8 > “We proceeded about twenty-five miles that «day, ana the journey terminated at a balf-ruined Lower, which stood concealed in the midst of a densa grovo 4¢ had been an immense wood; But hostile encounters between tho Carlists and Qhris- tinos had ‘taken place in that neerhboarhvod, and largo quantities of the trees had been cut down to aidin throwing up defences and to b@ burnt as firewood. The land round about indicated the scene of battles,—beiny plgughed up in many directicns by artillery and waggons. The blackened remnants of trees, half burnt, lay scattered nbout; and the horses’ fect stumbled over cannon «balls and pieces of broken Wwepons. The tower i'self was situated . half-way up an eminence, which was of sce pgculiar a form as to bo inaccessible behind; and thus it served as a background-defence for the buil: ding. The cork- trees stretched up to within a few yards of the tower, which they well nigh completely‘embowerea in their verdure. tower: and the artillery bad played upon the mas- sive eclifice, destroying at least hualf, but leaving the other portion com paratively unin cared, ° “ There was some furniture in the tower; but the place having . Been, pillaged, everything of value had disappeared. Nevertheless, thery were suffMicnt several rooms confortable enough; and here did the band take ap its quarters. One apartment’ served us a goneral ryon wire the meals were taken in commun, the samhe as at the encampment; and the bthers sorved as bed- chambers. Of these, the best within the tower was allotted tome. On our arrival Twas loth surprised ancl apprehensive at findine such pains taken to render the lace Intbitable: for it stf@ck me that so much trouble would searcely be meurred, if it were intended to pursut the journey on the following day, or éven within two or three days. And -two or three days did pass vAthout any{ntimation being given that we were to resuine our march towards the Pyrenees. I did not choose to manifest any immedinte impatience, because I folt that I had no right to make my own particular objects predomi- nate over the views awl interests of Don Dievo Christoval and his band. I therefore nmintained an oulwaryl appearance of cheerfulness, alfhough I began te entertain some misgiving in respect to my position there. In short, I feared that the bandit-chief was duing his best to keep me as lony as he possibly could, and that I waa virtually ¢ prisoner. For when Christoval and his men went out on their‘ | predatory excursions, two of them invariab! y re- mained at the towcr, ostensibly to act as a "guard for the women, but I could not help faacying in reality to prevent my cscape. Moreover, when I walked out, one of the women~-Isabella generally— accompanied me, and one of the sentinels followed ata distance with the pretext of watching over us. But this had not been done when at the encamp- ment; and I asked myself wherefore such prgcau- |. tions should be held necessary now,? * “A week had passed since our arrival at the tower; and there was no sign of aremovel. I now purposely sought an opportunity of apouking db the | a 4 There had been fichting at thof ee qrwuerwes oe egg. Os eee ee Oount. Ho appeared to understand my wishes; and one day, returning home from the usual excure sion much earlier than was his wont, bo asked me to accompany him ina walk. It waa now the close of Ovlober: and tho weather was cold. We passed into the wood; and Don Diego speedily approached the subject which [ was desirous of reaching. Ho sail, ‘L know what is passing in your mind, Senora: yon are bnpatient to leave us -to leave me,’ he added emphatically; ‘and you think 1 am not bo- having honourably or kindly towards you? Now, will you hear me? = You are the first woman L ever loved in wy life; and you will be the last. ment with which you have smitten me, is a deatlyess one. Not merely my, happiness, but my very life, ia in your h€tnds: for if you were to leave me, I could n t possibly survive your loss. This love of fhine has gendered me deapornte—so desperate if. deed, that it ia making me act with duplieity and unkindness towurds you. It is in your hands.’ “Tt was impossible to be angry or indignant with that man: he spoke in language so fervid, and yet sv replete with delicate respect —his looks were filled with so much adiniration mingled with so much despuir—there was altogether such a blending of sincerity, and pathos, and manly appeal in his aue his words, and his masner, that [ experienced for him a boundless cumpassion. Knowing that he possessed a yenerous heart, and certain lofty senti- ments of honour, in spite of the lawless kind of life he was legudiny, I thought to touch and to move lim by representing my assumed positicn as areal and verituble ofle. 1 accordingly addressed hina in terms of iinpressive seriquaness, J told him that I wis & Mnarried woman, and Was separated from my husband in consequence of the incompatibility of our dispositions; but that inastaueh as I could not on the one hand contract another aliimeee, L was equally resulute on the other never to Jose sight of my honour and good name. The Count louked muen distressed, and reflected profoundly, At length he asked if if were impossible T could ever love lim? I told him ¢hat while [ felt deeply grateful for all the kindness I had experienced at his hands-—and that although J should cver entertiup a friendly re- membraoce of him —yet that my beart was incapa- ble of experiencing a more tender sentiment. ‘To part from you,’ he said ina mournful voice, ‘will be the same as laving violent hands upon myself: it will be an act of suicide—and I have not the evur- ave ty accomplish it. L beseech»you to remain ak the tower a short timo longer. I Will not insult mysef so far as to assuro you that 1am incapable of any outraye towards you. J? you would consent to live all your life with mo as a sister, J should be happy. Mine is no groas and sensual passion: it is pure and ethereal: ityis the strangest and most romantic love that ever yet filled the heart of man, So long as I can enjoy the light of your prese Lee— 80 long as I can hear :he music of your veice play- The senti- | What is to bu ny fate? ° ar: awe ° Ee eee ae CPS A: rs aii ing in my exrs—so Jong as [ am permitted to gaze = ° upon you fruin time to timo, and dwell upon the / beauty of your countenance—therein shall all any ideas of earthly happiness be concentrated. Surely, | Senora, such a love as this is not to be ligatly re- pudiated? surely you will take some comparison upon the man who proffers you such a Ic-vo 2” “J answered thaf -I would spenk to to him as if it (C OOO) SS (CO)