The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

| THE MYSTERIES OF THE COUVET. “ Princess,” continuod Hedoliffe, “allusion has been made more than once daring our interview, > those few words whith I let drop from my lipa when J knelt at your fect by the side of the marhle fountain, To what precise extent the re- velation contained in those words might have reached, [ have no accurate remembrance: my thoughts were full of wildness af the time—my brain was distri —thoe scene itealf, when Jooked back upon, appears to be enveloped in a sort of nyisty dreamiuegs, . However, that [ did make agme avowal—that I did let fall somothing in that unguarded moment—TI revollect full well. I have now s request to make ” “You need not give utterance to it,” responded the Princess: “I can read your thoughts. You “desire that theseal of sucrecy shall remain upon my lipe—-—Good heavens, Clement! do you think that J would betray a syllable that was calculgted to do you an injury ?” “And after that assurance,” exclaimed Red- cliffe, “I dare not—J muaf no} prove altoge- ther ungrateful. Listen to me, Indora, You comprehend sufficient from those words which [ let fall—and tho necessity of keeping which in- viulably secret you seem fully to understand—that my presence in Kingland is connected with a matter of vital importance to myeelf. Yes—I have a - specific object to accomplish; and to that must nll my thoughts and all my encrgies bo devoted. It imay be achieved quickly; or it may take years to be worked out-—— heaven alone can tell! But tliat same heaven cun by its own iuvscrutable ways {further my objects and vonducf them to a speedy ond a euccessful issue, Until that issue be accom- plished, I am not master of my own actions--1 am not even able to dispose of myself, Bul this is what J have to say, Indora—thut if whan my purpose is achieved, and if cireumstauces should leave me a free agent, then will | be nnudful of this devoted love of your’s—and then you shall not vainly implore at my feet!” “Ob, is thie possibleP’ exclaimed the de- lighted Princess: and sinking upon her knees, she took Redcliffo’s hand, pressing it in fervour to her lips. - Rise, Incora—rise! This euppliant posture must not be assumed to me !”’ | * But you have given me hope—I um no longer wizerable-——] am happy———Obh, 1 gin joyously happy !"—and sbe sprang up to her feet, hor mag- niffent countenance radiant with the altered 3] a rn er nani mammal With these words he abruptly quisted. the | FOOM 5 and Indora, sinking upon the edtomian, almost overcome with the joyousness of her deals ings, murnfured to herself, “There ix hope} shee is hope !" = Natwithstanding the violent azitation whisk Clement Radcliffe had experionced towards ihe | ‘ 4 close of thie interview, the instant the door of the drawing-room ehut behind him, he regained bie | habitual air of mournful gravity: so that it would have heen impossible for any observer to gather from bis lonks a single scintillation of what had been passing. He deacended tha staircass, and found Sagoonah waiting in the hall to afford him egress. He put on his cloak—took up his hat— and was turning towards the door with an abrupt. ness of morement which he often unconsciously displayed,—whou again be caught the eyes of the Hindeo woman fixed upon him with tho strange burning brightness of their regards. Ho stopped short instinctivaly ; those eyes were instantanouualy veilod by their long jetty fringos—tho intenspnoss of the apall which had for a moment riveted him, was thus as euddonly withdrown—and in silence he hurried forth frum Shrubbery Villa. But aa he sped along the byc-lane ledding to the main road, he again felg ea if he wero under the incompre- hensible speil-like influence uf Sagoonah’s haunting eyes. The Hindoo woman, having closed the front door behind Mr. Rodcliffo, ascended the stairs, and glided into the drawing-room with her wonted noiscless step. Sinking upon hor knead at the feet of the Princess, she looked up into her coun- tenance —and at once road there an answer to the question which, asa slave, he scaracly dared aak. Kor an iustant Saguonoh’s eycs flashed brightly; and then they were cast down again. : “J understand you, my fad ful dependant,” suid Jndora, passing her beautifully modelled hand curessingly over tho [indoo woman's jet black hair, so smoothly brushed. “The kind interest you feel in me renders you imputient to know the result. You have partially read it on my features —and your eycs glistened with a sensation of joy, Yea, Sagoonah—1 qm no Jonger in a stuty of un- cerfaiz.s:-~] om permitted to hope !” : The Hiindoo woman took the Princess’s hand, and raise] it to her lips. At the same tine Indora felt ae hurning tear-drop fall upon that hand; and again carcasing the dependant, she said in a kind soothing voice, “You weep for joy, my fvelinga that were thus suddenly excited in he j,faithful Sagoonah—you weep for joy!—and I suyul. ' © Cherish that hope if you will, Indora,” said | the Englishman,—“ cherish it if if will mats you bappy—and I swear to you that if circumstances permit, it ahalPbe fulfilled! But until that time, ink not to behold me again.” “Oh! J €an endure separation so long es there is hope,” exclaimed the Princess, in 2 tone of gusb- ing enthusiasm. “I have waited ao long to receive from your jipe a single syllable of hope, that | can wait longer yet for that hope’s realization. Bus tel} me———you say when the time shall come—— are soe ¢onfidant that it will come svoncr or “Yos—it will come,” answered Redcliffe, —“ it wil} pome, rest assured !—og there would be av justice in heaven itself |" luve you for this fresh cvideuce of your devoted affection.” Sagoonsh kissed her mistyose’s hand unce more; and slowly rising from ber kneeling posture, she retreated to # little distance,—ber tall symmetrical shape drawn up as usual, so that it displayed the beantiful bend of the back, the straightness of all | the limbs, and the sculptural modelling of all the contours. Uer countenance was inclined (as was its wont when she was in that position) towards her bosom; and she remained motionless as a statue. ‘“Sagoonah,” said the Princess, after » long pauso, during which she reflected profoundly, “tell Mark to came to me at once.” The dependang quilted the room; and in a few o F minutes o man-gervant made his sppcarance. Be ECOMICHOOOlKS.Cconn