The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

| | : | eS POS was not js. dent to suggest P” “ These revelations, my dear Mrs. Bailey,” re- | But I can blind myself no longer, with such | endeavoured in m y own mind to make every post tis | aponded Hugh, “have coma upon me aiurtling suddenness, that I am unable in a mo- | ment to proffer an opinion. I will tell you in a: few days what I think ought to be done. Per. hape I may speak privately to my brother —worm ° vut of him the history uf his love - and then ad- | vise him to absent himeelf from a place where his presence is dangerous.” ‘In any ease, ny lord, du not compromise me,” snid Mra. Bailey. “The Hon. Mr. Bertram Vivian fa eivil and polite enough to me-—for of cours? he cannot suspect that 1 had anything to do it leading Eliza to jilt him—and I do not want to be brouglit Into collision with anybody.” "Rest assuted, my dear Mrs. Bailey,” rejufiied Lord Clandon, “that [ will manage the matter , with ad wiuch tact and delicncy as if it were you! yourself who had the conduct of it.” “L rely upon your lordship,” sald the foolish woman, who did not reflect that she had been avowing to the very individual most interested in the Duke's remaining tnmarried, the schemes aud stratagems to whith she had been a party in order to bring about that alliance between his Grace and Eliza. Having escorted Mrs. Bailey back to the man- sion, Lord Clandon sauntered forth again into the grounds, to reflect upon all that he had just heard. resently tie beheld his uncle approaching along a shady a¢etiue, accompatied by a Jurge favourite bull tuastiif anewering to the name of Pluto. ILis Grace was walking slowly, with the air of one in deep pre-oeetipation, The mystery of the scene Which waa ¢unatantly befire bis eves, waa bewilder- ing him more and more; and he saw nu issue thenve by any feasible means. ” “All my dear unele,” suid Clandon. “What! Walking alone? Where are all the gucats ?” “The Lomanes are gotting ready for departure,” reapobded the Duke. “In facet, I don’t wonder that they should hate abridged thelr visit——” Then atapping shart, he suddenly stooped down to caress his dog in order tu hide hid vexation. “What mean you, my dear uncleP’ inquired Clandon, ae if with an ar of perfect surprise. “1 mean, Hugh,’ responded the Duke, sed- denly turning his looks fixedly upouw his nephew's countenance, “that there is something gomp on which Tcannet comprehend. 1 must speak out: I And now, my lord, that T have told ; friendly footing, you the secret, what course do you consider it pru-| sion. The Duchess, THE MYSTERIES OF THER COURT. i he behaves with ill-concealed aver> all amiahility herself, will not cannot see through it. Hugh. I have admit that it is so: she ble allowaneo for Bertram— and all in vain. the blackest ingratitude on Lis part; and I am de termined not to put up with st.” “ But, my dear uncie,” said Lord Clandon, with a conciliatory tone and manner, “pmy do Got judge bastily—pray do not visit your displeasure upon my brother. You have been pleased to sig- nity that my conduct is wortby of yuur approval : ayu fuvour therefore fur myself, I entreat your Grace to be lenient towards poor Bertram.” “TV'his intercession on your brother's behalf, Huh, docs you infinite credit,” rejoined the Duke of Murchmont. “But such conduct is intolerable ! [t ix not merely insulting to the Duchess - ineult- ing to myself but inaulting likewise to all the guests. A damp has been thrown upon the spirits ot a circle which 1 gathered about me for pur- poses of gaiety.” “Would you, my dear uncle, permit me to offer a suggestion ?’ aaked Lord Clandon, in a mild 2nd submissive manner. “To be sure, Hugh!” responded the Duke. “Speak! Iam glad that your own magnanimous conduct enables me to treat veu as a contidant. In a word, do you not think that your brother: is chafed at this marri:ige of mine and that he is venting his spite upon the Duchess?” “No, unele!’ ejrculated Lord Clandon, with the emphasis of conviction: “1 am certain that it wnot BO. magnanimous to entortain any euch mean and paltry feolinga, I, who know my brother’s dis- position well, can read the clue to the whole mystery.” ©“ Can youP” exclaimed the Di‘e, full of delight and suspense, © Then, what is it? But take cure, my dear nephew,’ be added more gravely, “ how you suffer your love fur your brother to blind your eyes to the real truth.” “Listen, unelo-—and judge for yourself,’ re- sponded Lord Clandun. “ My bruther 1s a young man naturally diflident—naturally afraid also of having his actions wrongly judged. He was ever hhe this. His very sensitivencas throws bim into eatremes: the aelicacy of bis sentynents somotimes renders his conduct seemingly out- raycous. He doubtless trembles leat the slightest attantion paid to his amiable young relative, should Bertram is too generous-bearted, tuo — am giad that accident has thus thrown you and me | be wrongly construed together at this moment. There is something in| ‘ Well, but those are the very conjectures with my heart that I burn to unbosom to a confidant.’ which I myself,” interrupted the Duke, with an You love me, Hugh-—you have testified the noblest | air of disappointment, “ have sought go account for and moet disinterested nattachment—-—-I wish to ! his conduct: but I feur that they are not the cor, God T could say the same of your Brother !” i rect ones.” “What, my lord!” ejnculated Clandon: “has | “ Boar with me, uncle,” said Hugh deferentia!ly ; Bertram been wanting in love and respect towards | “and grant me your patience. My brother is two your Grace—the head of the faunty-—our benefue- , vears younger than myoelf; and though he has tor - our ancle 7 seon more of the world in the shape ul travel, be “Hugh,” interrupted the Duke of Marchimont, | knows less of it in useful experience. Repurd bis “it is impessible you could bave remained blind to | position'—a young man of a little more than all thac is going,on. Bertram treats the Duchess | three-and-twenty, suddenly presented to a lady- with downright> insult, At first bis conduct was | relative, even ypunger than himpelf. He feels merely a culd reserve, on which the best interpre- | that at is not for Aim, but for her, to ope te tations might be put. But now he has been nearly | degreo of friendly intimacy and becoming ity tén days here; aad instead of getting on a more { on which tiey are to stand towards each other. * ‘ 4 Fue eae] ‘. NOG (C SS CO