The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 233: what you’re looking at

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220 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. Thus speaking, the Earl opened a casement reaching down to the ground, and which therefore served the purpose of a glass door, affording egress upon the grounds. Christian followed with a heart palpitating violently. A thousand hopes-and fears swept in a few moments through his mind: for he knew that now was the crisis to decide whether he should retain the poet so eagerly sought, or whether the Earl should think fit to decline his services. “ My dear Ethel,” exclaimed the old nobleman, ing towards the Countess, “I am going to do what I have said! I shall write my memoirs— I have engaged a secretary—he is fully competent —we begin work to-morrow morning—and as he is a very genteel youth, I want to introduce Lord Osmond fancied at the first glance which he threw upon Christian, that he had seen him somewhere before—but did not instantaneously recollect the how or the when. But Isabella’s astonishment—and we may add her pleasure— were great indeed on perceiving Christian Ashton diffidently advancing behind her uncle, and on hearing the old nobleman prociaim that he had him as a secretary. “Why, cousin Bella!” said Lord Osmond, sud- denly remembering where he had seen Christian, and now turning to Miss Vincent; “this is the very young gentleman who acted so nobly three or four weeks back at the review.” “Hoey !—what ?” cried the Earl in astonishment, bat by no means in dissatisfaction: “Mr. Ashton the one who chastised that impertinent cox- comb? How was it you did not mention his name, Bella ?” “JI did mention his name, uncie,” answered Miss Vincent, with a modest blush: “I told you it was Mr. Ashton—with whom I happened to be acquainted ——” “Yea, I remember perfectly well,” said the Countess of Lascelles, “that Isabella mentioned Mr. Ashton’s name.” “Then I had forgotten i¢!” exclaimed the nobleman. “ But it is no matter.” “T am pleased to meet you again, Mr. Ashton,” said Lord Osmond, frankly proffering his hand to our young hero. Isabella also gave him her hand; and again did the modest blush appear upon her countenance. Lord Osmond observed that tremulous confusion | tall on her part—but affected not to notice it. As for the Earl—he saw it not: for he had turned to his wife, and was launching forth into a description of the marvellous adventures he intended to give in his book, and of the tremendous sensation it was certain to excite when published. Christian now thought it becoming to make his bow and depart; and the Earl charged him to be punctual at the mansion at eleven o'clock on the following day. The youth was retiring through the grounds to- wards the entrance-gates, when he behold that same individual (mentioned to him as Mr. Gibson) who had fetched away Miss Vincent from Mr. Chubb’s residence. The ition was instan- taneously mutual; and the man with a sinister look started visibly on thus bebolding our hero. tion: bué we must say a word or two in respect to the other feeling which inspired him. Was he te conclude that it was sot on his account after all, that the beauteous Isabella had been removed from the parish-clerk’s house? But if not so, then what became of Mrs. Chubb’s tale relative to Mr. Gibson’s annoyance at finding that he was lodging in the same house with Isabella? However, Christian had obtained the situation—the Earl had confirmed him in it after discovering that he was previously acquainted with Miss Vincent—and therefore though our hero wondered at some part of the whole proceeding, he had nothing to be troubled at: on the contrary, every reason to be rejoiced. We have said that Lord Osmond noticed Isa- bella’s tremulous confusion when she encountered Christian, but that he affected not td perceive it. tion. Lord Osmond, as the reader is aware, was profoundly enamoured of his mother-in-law, the beautiful Countess of Lascelles; and therefore he entertained not the slightest scintillation of jea- lousy in respect to his cousin Isabella and Christian Ashton. On the confrary,—when he thought he had discovered that these two were not indifferent to each other, he was rather glad of it; for it immediately struck him that if Isabella and Chris- tian could be more or less thrown together, it would afford him (Lord Osmond) all the better opportunities of being alone with Ethel. About an hour after Christian’s departure, the Karl of Lascelles was seated in the library, arrang- ing his memoranda in readiness for work on the following day,—when the confidential valet Make- peace entered the room on some pretence or another. “Well, Makepeace,” said the nobleman, looking up from his papers with a self-satisfied air, “I mean to astonish the whole world.” “The world, my lord,” responded the syoophantic valet, “can be astonished at no achisvement on your lordship’s part.” “I think there is some truth in that,” said the Earl, caressing his chin as he lounged back in the chair. “ Nevertheless, my contemplated book will crown all my other triumphs; and I have engaged a secretary to assist in writing it.” “That young gentleman, my lord, whom I saw going out just now ?”” inquired Makepeace deferen- y- “The same,” rejoined the Earl. “I am con- vinced he is a youth of great ability and lively intelligence, by the way, he listened to that aneo- dote of mine about my German feat. I don’t think I ever told it you-—~” For the first time in his life Makepeace did not wait to hear the anecdote: but interrupting his noble master, said significantly, “I presame your lordship cannot be aware that this is the very young gentlenan-———-’” “ Who lodged at the Rubb’s or the Dubb’s, or whatever their name is?’ exclaimed the Earl “In general I have an excellont memory for names: but I have lost sight of that one. Do you know, Makepeace, that when I was travelling in Russia, [ fell in with a young Englishman, who He however said nothing; and Christian took his | had dislocated his jaw ?” departure with feelings of mingled joy and won- derment. The source of his joy needs no descrip: ewe, EEE “Indeed, my lord! Was it by a fall feom his horse ?” COMMIC DOO Col