The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 183: what you’re looking at

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172 tricious display of her charms. Elegance was the rincipal charaoteristio of her gait and carriage ; though her height, rather than her bearing, in- vested her with a certain degree of dignity. There was howevdr about her none of that pride—muc lees that majesty of demeanour, which the imagix tion is apt 40 associate with the rank of a Duchess. Indeed, to gase upon her one would have thought that a iese -brilliant sphere would have fer better suited her tastes and disposition: though it must not be inferred from these observations, that she was deficient in any of the becoming qualities for the social position which she occupied. As Christian Mr. Stanhope and the Duchess, he raised his hat; and hor Grace be- stowed upon him a kind word and a friendly smile. While continuing his way, he felt more than over rejoiced that accident should have rendered him instrumental in discovering the diabolical plots which were in existence against the peace of mind of this amiable lady; and he had such confidence in the wi and determination of Clement Red- cliffe, that he had no doubt as to the complete dis- comfiture of the conspirators. Haatening onward, he in a short time reaghed the turnpike; and at a little distance he beheld Mr. Redcliffe walking slowly along, enveloped in his cloak, and with his hat drawn more than ever over his countenance. After hasty tings were ¢x0 d, Redcliffe conducted Ohristian across the Getds to a lonely little cottage, inhabited by an elderly couple; and here it appeared that he had taken up hie quarters. His lodgings consisted of a small but neat pariour and a bed-chamber, The dwelling was altogether secluded; and Redcliffe. gave Christian to under- stand that the elderly couple were not of prying or inquisitive dispositions, and that therefore he had been most fortunate in discovering such a re- treat. “And now, my young friend,” he said, “ what intelligence have you for me?” Christian stated that Mr. Stanhape was at Oak- lands, and that he daily walked out with the Duchess. He then proceeded to explain how the Duke of Marchmont had made him convey the box to the farm-house at a late hour on the Thurs day night—and how it was Jeft there. Obristian aleo mentioned the circumstance of having seen some shape moving about ixf the vicinage of the pond during the walk homeward on the ogcasion reforred to. “I perceive,” said Mr. Redoliffe, after having reflected profoundly for upwards of a minute, “that the incident you have just related, produced some little sensation of awe upon your mind. But the Duke, you tell me, bade you be careful how you yielded to superstitious fears. I also repeat that advice; and perbaps I can give it with a elearer conscience than he. Yea, Christian, it was mo doubt some wayfarer——or midnight wan- derer,” added Mr. Redcliffe slowly, “ whese form you ‘bebold upon that spot at that hour. But it is clear,” he went on to observe, speaking more quickly, “ that the plot is now progressing fast, and that the inci- dents are thickening. It is time that I should explain to you something which I had not the op- portunity to de whem you came to me last Tuesday evening. To my comprehension there ia no mys- tery in reapect to the box. You heard, from Eve- leen O'’Brion’s lips, that it contained dresses which 2 PUREE Rp Ee eh = coke eeee ws. THE MYSTERIZS OP THR COURT. are the precise duplicates of others recently made for the Duchess of Marchmont. Those dresses, Christian, will be doubtlgss worn by some one who is to personate the Duchess——-Ah! now you un- derstand the full extent of the villany of which tbe Duke is capable !” .& “¥ do indeed, sir,” responded Christian ; almost smitten with dismay as the light thus dawned in upoo his mind. “But how will you frustrate this portion of the diabolical conspiracy P” “Fear not, my young friend,” answered Red- oliffe. “Rest assured that ‘innocence and virtue aball yet. triumph over tho most villanous trea- chery. Cdme to me again the moment you have anything fresh to impart: but if nothing should transpire for a few days, do not revisit me until the middle of the ensuing week.* We must be upon our guard, 60 as to take no step that may excite suspicion.” AP ial a little further discourse, Christian took departure and returned to Oaklands. It was about eleven o’clock in the night of this saune day, that Lettice Rodney issued forth from the lonely farm-house. She wore an ample cloak over her dreas: a ‘thick veil covered her counte- nance. The night was beautiful and starlit: the air was frosty, with an invigorating freshness totally different from that damp chill which makes the form shiver and the teeth chatter. Quickly threading the lane, Lettice entered upon the road, —on geining which she endeavoured to hum an opera-air to keep up her spirita, or rather to persuade herself thab there was no superstitious terror in | her mind as she pursued her way in a neighbour. hood rendered so fearfully memorable by an ap- palling murder. All of a sudden, however, she stopped short and turned hastily round: for it atruck her that she heard footsteps following over the hard frost-bound road. At the same instant that ehe thus looked back, she fancied that she caught @ glimpse of eome dark form disappearing in the shade of the hedgo whieh skirted the road. She was not naturally a coward—very far from it: but she could not help trembling all over, half with a superatitious fear, and balf with the dread lest some evil-disposed person should be dogging her footsteps. She was somewhat inclined to re- trace her way to the farm-house: but this would be to abanden the enterprise in which she had embarked, and on acoount of which she had already received so signal a proof of the Duke of March- mont’s munificence. Therefore, mustering up all her oourage, she continued her route. In a few minutes she reached the pond which she knew to have been the spot where the murder "was committed, although she was now threading this road for the first time. Through the folds of her veil her eyes glanced rapidly aroynd ; and she could scarcely keep back a scream as she beheld, either in fancy or reality, a dark shape on the op.’ posite side of the hedge which bounded the pond. It instantdneously disappeared ;—and speedit, forward, Lettice strove hard to persuade herself that it was merely imagination. ‘* Nevertheless,” she thought, “if these noec- turnal journeys are to be frequently repeated, I must positively solicit big Grace to give me some escort, Not,” she added, as she thus mused, “that I am afraid of preternatural appearancos i I TTT ET SS A OC a 7 I aD a I ag gm SS ——no, no—thaé is sheer nonsense ! but it is GONMGOOOKSEEOnn