The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. her fortitude to the utmost. And it came, like a wondrous inspiration. She raised her eyes: she behold before her a’ fine, tall, handsome man— really not more than a few months past four-and- twenty, though looking three or four years older. Hie hair was of jetty darkness, and wanted tho rich gloss and the silky fineness to make it re- semble that of the loat Bertram. His features, somewhat largely chiselled, were haughtily hand- some, yet with the traces of either fatigue or dis- sipafionin his lineaments. But altogether there 15 *Té struck me,” continued Lord. Clandon, “when I read the account of your mariage iH the newspaper --I was then in Paris, by the hyy-—-shat the nawe of Captain Lacey, who was mens as your Grago’s futher, was not altogether unfaypiila to me; and the moment your venerable pare Was just now introduced to me, I felt persuaded Thad seen him before. Yes—I reoullect—he was ogo pointed vut to me at Oxford-——But perhaps Grace is unaware that I myself passed a waste of years in thatcityP Indeed, I am afraid,” be added was a suficiency—more than a sufficiency of a {| with a smile, “that we collegians were not con- family likeness to bring badk the image of Bertram any such impulse should have been wanting at all. Nevertheless, Eliza's self-possession remained : the astomskment which she experienced at her sidered steady envugh for reception into private emost vividly to hor mind—even if at the moment ; families.” Ihza slowly turned her looks upon Lord Clandon to assure heraclf whether there was any hidden meaning in his romark—any pointed allustan to own fortitude, amounted almost to a feeling of | the one exception which had beon mado in favour gladness; and thus was it with a smile and with all her habitual sweotness of manner, that she gave Hugh her hand, welcoming him to Oaklands. Lord Clandon’s demeunour was alike respect- ful and friendly—or it might be termed delicately courteous—towards her whom, though threo years ounger than himeelf, marringe had wade his aunt. he Duke and Sir Wilham Lornax remained chat- ting with them for a few minutes; and then he of his brother Bertram with regard to a reception at Captain Lacey's house at Oxford: but she was convinced that ho intended nothing, and that it was nicrely in a convorsational mannor he had thus spoken. “Yes,” said Eliza, in answer to a question which he had put: “I was aware that you were at Oxford.” “Tt is somewhat singular,” Hugh went on to former, taking the Baronet’s arm, sauntered away ; observe, “thet we should have been in the same to another part of the room, for the purpose of leaving his wife and nephew to get over the first restraints and awkwardness of an introduction and become better acqyainted with each other. Eliza resumed her seat: Lord Clandon, with fashion- able ease, aank upon a chair near her, and at once »began to converse on the current topica of the day. He spoke of the Italian Opera—of the last new novel —of a drama which had made “a great hit” —and of two or three approaching “ marringes in high life.” Then he spoke of his travels in foreign town a comparatively short while back, yet euch tutal strangers tv each other—and now that we should moct--for me,”’ he added, with a emile and a gentle inclination of the head, “to have the honour of addressing your Grace as 6, relation. Let me see? it was two years last June since I and my brother Bertram left Oxford. I can aarure you I was by no means sorry: I was gotting heariily tired of tho same kind of life, though it was all pleasure. But then pleasures pall upen the senses,” he added, with the languid tone and parts; and he related several adventures which had | the juded look of a gaan who had drunk to satiety befallen him— but in a pleasing manner, and with- out any offensive egotism. Ho was evidently a man of the world-—well accustomed to all the usages of the sphere in which ho moved; and by his discourse, the impression was conveyed that he! a fancy for his studies. had a great deal of frankness and high-rmindedness in his disposition. Such was the opmion Jéliza formed of him; aod indeed it was all the more natural she should do so—not merely because there was no appearance on his part of a studied etrain- ing to make that impression—but likewise because he spoke in the kindest and most dutiful terms of his uncle,—at the same time treating the Duchets herself with a courtesy which had all the frifnd- liness proper to subsist between relatives, and all the respect which so young a man was bound in delicacy to show towards the still more youthful bride of an elderly relation. e Presently ord Clandon waa introduced to Captain Lacey; and when the Jatter, afler some little conversation, had retired to the card-room, to form one at a rubber of whist,—Lord QOlandon seid to Eliza, “Ie it possible that you ever resided at Oxford P” The Duchess hed for the previous half-hour been prepared for some euch question as this; and it was therefore without any visible trepidation that she replied in the affirmative. But she said no mere ; and no inguiring look was thrown upon Haugh, to seck the motive of the question. of that cup of pleasure whereof he spoke. “ As for Bertram, I don’t know how it was, but be was wretched to a degree at leaving College. Porhaps he was not quito so wild as I was, and had rather Don’t think the worse of me because 1 now confess that little wildnesa on my pws’ = When if is gono and past, one may talk uf it. iiortram was moro sentimental and serious than I~—-” At this moment the Duchoss dropped her band- kefchief, which Lord Clandon hastened to pick up for her. It had fallen from her hand, as e faint. ness coming over her, made her fair fingers relax their hold upon it. Within the last few minutes the name of Bertram had beon mentioned half-a. dozen times in ber hearing: it would have been sufficient for this mere mention to agitate her profoundly ; but when she heard the namo—that sacred, loved, lamented name—thrown forth from the lips with what appeared to be the mingled levity and callousness of one who, although his brother, could yet speak of him as if the recolleg- tion of Ings Joss were unaccompanied with a single regret, 1) was suffieent to overwhelm all Eliza’s fortilude in a moment and make her sink dowa beneath the influence of her excruciated feelj Aguin however did a species of preterhuman self- possession come to her aid: the little incident of the handkerchief startlod her into a vivid sciousness Of the peculiarities and porile of ‘be | re NOG Be SS