The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 167: what you’re looking at

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154 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. admission, or to shed its light upon that heart father was out: I saw him just now alight from which flutters beneath its influence. . the carriage at his club; but he did not observe But though Ethel was thus absorbed in reflec- me. I am well aware that when once amidst tions on a guilty love, was she herself already | those with whom he can gossip after his own guilty? No: the last barrier which separated her | fashjon, he will not speedily return. I came to from crime, was not yet broken down: she hovered | the house under the pretext of seeing him: I sent upon the brink of a precipice — buys still ehe hovered: she might yet retreat ere she fell com- pletely over. But would she withstand the temptation? On the one hand there was @ hus- band whom she could not possibly love nor esteem, and whom she could scarcely prevent herself from absolutely detesting. So far as his catesses wen they were loathed as the pawings of an imp wo up @ message beseeching an audience of you. The servants can suspect nothing ; and when my fatker comes home, you can tell him’ that I have been here. You can say that I am wearied and dis- tressed on account of the coldness which subsists between him and me—that I seek his forgiveness -—that if he will grant it, I am prepared to make any apology for whatsoever offence, real or imagi- be: his character was despised ;—and thus feeble | nary, he may have cénceived himself to have sus- indeed was the difference between the sentiment which Ethel already cntertained towards him, and downright abhorrence. On the other band, there was a young man of her own age—an Adonis of _ tained at my hands——” _ “ And for what purpose, Adolphus, is all this ?” joquired Ethel, with a half frightened look : for though she pué the question, she already more beauty—of elegant appearance—of lofty intelli- | then comprehende@ the young nobleman’s pur- gence—of fascinating manners—end of captivating | pose address. This young man adored her—worshipped the very ground on which she trod—loved her gg | proachful tone. “ Oh, can you ask mef”’ he exclaimed, in a re- “Does not your heart tell you woman is seldom loved. This she knew—this sho | it is in order that we may be together—that felt. Oh, great was the dangey in which Ethel I may have frequent opportunities of seeing her Lascelles stood ! who {s dearer to me than life itself! Ethel, I She was in the midst of her reverie, when the | shall go mad if all this be not accomplished. Con- door opened; and a footmen, entering, said, “ If | seive what I have suffered for months and months you please, your ladyship, Lopd Oamond has called - to see the Earl, who is out.’ past—catching only an occasional stolen interview — to watch your movements in order to be The man’s eye did not gatch the despening | blessed with q few ulmutes of discourse——And blush on the cheeks of hie mistress at the men- | then too,” he added, gently and hesitatingly, “ you tion of that young nobleman’s name, because her countenance was not immediately turned towards him. With a mighty effort ehe regeined her sclf-possession; and said in @ quiet way, es if promised a certein thing, and yeu kept not the appointment. Yesterday [| awaited you there— | and you came not !” A burning blush appeared upon the cheeks of influenced by no extraordinary emotion, “ Lord | the Countess; and her cyes, which swam in the Osmond can wait, if he think &¢, until the Ear]’s return.” “ His lordship requests an interview with your ladyship,” replied the footmep. “His lordship bade me say that he has a pertisuler moana age to be delivered to the Earl; and he ho yur J- ship will not refuse to teke charge of it. Ethel hesitated for a few moments; end then shoe said, in the same quiet tone as befere, “ You can show Lord Osmond up.” The footman bowed and retired; and ia a few | the tender moments the Earl’s son was anno “Good heavens, what imprudence, Adolphus !” said the Countess, in a tone of half.re half-anxiety, but with ineffable tenderness over all: and her hand too was immediately e in Lord Osmond’s as those words were spoken when the footman had again retired. “Imprudence in coming to see you, deerest dearest Ethel!’ said the young nobleman, in » voice full of masculine harmony. “Oh, how can you breathe a syllable that seems tinged with re- proach P”—and as his fine large hazel eyes looked tenderly down into her's of blue, he kept her fair white hand clasped in his own. “ But your father, Adolphue——my husband,” she added, with a deep mournful sigh. “Ob, my God! if he should suspect———And what must he think of your coming hither now ?” “ Listen to me, Ethel,” responded Lord Osmond, as he led his beautiful mother-in-law to a seat, and placed himself by her side—that mother-in-law who was only just his own age, “I knew that my deep languor of tenderness, were bent down as she taurmured, “J thought better of 1t, Adolphus. My guardian angel inspired me with courage ; and I resiated the temptation. For heaven's sake, Rever again propose such a thing !—never again seek to draw me gway from that path of duty which { must and qill pursue!” The reader may now comprehend that the ap- polotment whieh Clement Redcliffe had rightly conjectured te have been given when he beheld per in discourse on the terrace of Covent Gagden Market, was not kept. “ Ethel,” resumed the enamoured young noble- b and | men, “my destiny—my life are in your hands. I know eg well as you do, all the guilt which attaches itself to such a love as our’s: but I can no more struggle against it than I could breast the furious tide ot the mightiest river as it rolls into the sea. Can you understand me when I tell you that if the Enemy of Mankind proffered me happiness in your arms as the price of my soul, I would sign the compect Oh, sign it cheerfully — joy- oualy “Good heavens, Adolphus, speak not in this dreadful manner !” murmured the Countess, with a shudder sweeping over her frame, and yet with an jrrepreembie tenderness in the soft melting eyes end on the passion-breathing lips. “ Dreadful?’ ejaculated Adolphus: “is there enything dreadf@ in learning that you are the object of a love so devoted as mine? Oh, this love is all the world to me! Crown it with hap- panese—and the world bécomes an elysium! Doom an (GO) (C DOO Col