The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 278: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COTRT, Pa) EE, RPS. Isabella: but be besitated,—fearful thet he might be taking too great a liberty and trusting too far to the favourable fecling of the Earl’s son. But now, when Lord Osmond entered his little sitting: room, Christian’s countenance suddenly lighted up with mingled hope and joy. Still in the same place ? and still without em- ployment, my young friend #” said Adolphus, shak- ing Christian warmly by the hand. “TI cannot tear myself away from this neigh- bourhood,” replied the youth, his cheeks glowing with blushes: “and now the truth is fraukly told !” “You entertain some hope ?” said Lord Osmond. “Perhaps you wish to see Isabella——But of course you do!—it is natural enough !” “Oh, for one parting interview!” exclaimed Christian enthusiastically; “and you know not, my lord, how decp would be my gratitude !” “Well, we must manago it by some means or another,” responded Adolphus. ‘“ Have you the courage to cntey the grounds stealthily this evening, or to-morrow evening, on reccipt of a note or mecs- sage from ma P” Christian hesitated for a moment: the natural ree- titude of his principles recoiled from tho idea of thus violating the sanctity of premises whence he had been so pointedly dismissed. But a second thought told him that there was no more harm in enter- ing the Eurl)’s grounds against his consent, than in secking an interview with his niece likewise in opposition to his will. Love therefore triumphed over all seruples; and he exclaimed, “ Tell me how IT can see Miss Vincent—if only for a few minutes —and I will risk everything. But think you, my lord, that she herself will be agreeable . “She Joves you, Cbhristian—and that assurance ought to bo a sufficient answer. Wold yourself in readiness fur a communication from mo; and trust to my ingenuity to manage the matter. And now onc word rocre ere I tuke my departure. You must look upon me as a friend, and regard me as such—even to the extent of making me your banker: for that is the proposal I have to offer without offending your delicacy.” Christian expresscd his warmest gratitude for the young nobleman’s kind consideration —but assured him that he possessed amplo resvurces for the present. Adolphus then took his departure,— leaving the youth full of hope and joy at the pro- kpect of so speedgly vbtaining the object of his en- thusiastic wishes. In the evening the Far) and Countess of Las- celles, Osmond, and Isabella were eeated in the | drawing-room between eight and nine o’clocl par- taking of coffee. Isabella was sad and disp.rited, though she did her best to conceal what she felt : she was so afruid of angering her uncle. The Countess fispiayed the most amiable demeanour towards ber hu-band, and was ecompletcly on her puard not to exchange so much as ihe most rapidly furtive glance with Adulphus. Lord Osmond chatted with every appearance of exse and gaiety ; and as the Earl had drunk a few extra glasses of wine, he wasin a much beter humour than he had been since the’aglveriture of the suunmer-house, “Ah! now that I think of it, my dear father,” said Lord Osmond, thus abruptly giving a turn to the previous conversation, “ when are your me- moire to appenr P”’ & Oe a ea at gE 267 “Why, the fact is, Adulphus,” answered the Farl, “I have como well nigh to a fuil step for the present: and without any disagreeable allqaion*~ and he glanced somewhat spitefully at his niece “YT have lost my righ¢ hand, us it were. Dieta tion was easy enouch: but when [ et down €0 writo for myself, 1 find my ideas rusia om —like what shall 1 say?——like @ treop ot wild elephants: but my penmanship can no more heop pace with them than—than—heml—a hune don- key at a short trot.” “Tt is a great pity, my dear father,” rejoined Advlphus, in an under-tone, so that Isaladla could not overhear him, “that you have got rid af that very useful young man merely on accuuut of @ pass. ing tolly-——” “Don’t mention it, Adolphus!” interrupted the Earl sharply: “he shall never ontcr sy houfe again.” - Oh, no—of course not!” responded Lord Osmond, finding that the little foeler be had thrown out experienced such ao rebuff. “ But really il ts oryel of you to keep tho public on the tenter-hooke of suspense awaiting that work of | yours, which has already been so extensively ad- vertisod. You must permit mo to lovk out for anuther secretary———or elao,” added Lord Os- mond, in the hope of putting his fathor iuto the most amiable of humours, “I must act as your amanuensis fdr an hour or two every day.” “No!—would you, Adolphus?” exclaimed the old Earl, catching eagerly at the propusition. “With the utmost pleasure,” was Lord Osnond’s ready response. “We will commence to-morrow morning, if you will.” “That we will!” exclaimed tho Ear}, furgotting everything else in his joy at the sort of complimont conveyed by his son’s supposed anxicty in respect to the forthcoming work. “I will go this minute to the library, and sit down for an 1: ur or two to rack my imagination and invent-—-—~-I mean ar- range the papers in readiness for to-morrow.” “ Pray do!" said Lord Osmond: “fur I am now all eagerness to begin. And perhaps, us it is so sultry in-doors and the evoning is sv beautiful, the ladies would accept my escurt for a ramble in the garden*” © . Tho Larl made a passing grimace ct the propos sition—fur he rotrospected not lovingly upon these eveningwrambles: but as the thought flashed to his mind that his niece must remain the whole time in companionship with Adoulphua and DMthel, he ‘uttered not-a syllable of objection, and hastened Away to the Jibrary,—intent upon the concoction of some startling incident for the morrow's luct- brations. The Countess and Isabella rang for their shawls; and Lord Osmond, burrying down stairs for a moment, sought Makepeace, to whom he made a significant sign, which that indiviclual at once comprehended. The young nobleman then rojomed lis mother-in-law and cousin; uud they walked forth into the garden together. As this was the first occasion siuce the dig astrous Incident of the suromer-how.: that an evening ramble had been taken, «r thiut the system of guarded conduct bad been in tic eightest degree deviated from, the Countyss could not help thinking that Adolphus bad some partizulan, pro- ject in view: for he bad found ny opportunity during the day te communicate his inentiun te COMM NOOK TL EAN TS EE I LETC Oa TT a TPS SECC CEE OPAC cic Pee me-os, + tbtiuaamrinnabising: CO