The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 259: what you’re looking at

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246 tice. “I have been very wicked—but never never was I capable of such a crime as that——— no, never! My soul would have abhorred it.” ‘“‘¥ believe you,” answered Mr. Redcliffe: “ for certain little incidents have come to my knowledge which tend more or less to corroborate some por- tions of your narrative. Describe to me once more, as accurately and minutely as you can, the appesrances of the two men whom—as you allege -—you saw on that fatal night m company with Mrs. Webber the housekeeper.” Lettice did so; and Mr. Redcliffe murmured to himself in s musing manner, “ Yes—they are the very eamo |” “Do you—-do you think that there is a prospect of my innocence being proved?’ asked Lettice with an almost anguished eagerness. “] hope 20,” responded Redeliffe: “but I charge you nut to indulge too much in a hope which might possibly be disappointed. Heaven is the dispoeer of all evente; and it is only by heaven’s sufferance that man ¢an be permitted to work them out to a particular end. I shall tell you nothing of the plans I am adopting on your be. half: auffiee it for you to know that I am not idle.” “What can I say, Mr. Redcliffe,” asked Lettice, profoundly moved, “to convince you of my grati- tude P” . “TI am certain that you are grateful,” he an- swered: “but it is not gratitade that I require—it is the assurance that you are truly penitent for those misdeeds that you have committed. And in this also I believe you. I learn from the governor sufficient to convince me that you fulfilled the injunctions which I gave you on the occasion of my former visit.” “Oh, not for the world, Mr. Redcliffe, would I have neglected them !” exclaimed Lettice. “That {nfamous woman Madame Angelique came down from London to seo me a fow days after you were last here: but I refused to receive her. Then she sent an attorney residing at Liverpool, to offer to conduct my case: but I told the man of business that I was fortunately not without friends—and that even if I were, I would accept nothing at the hands of Madame Angelique.” “ These particulars I have learnt from the governor,” remarked Mr. Redcliffe: “and { am pleased to find that you have thus fulfilled ali my instructions. Your triat will come on shortly: able counsel has been retained for you—and as I have already hinted, I am not idle in other respects. I have entrusted your case to the most eminent solicitor in Liverpool; and this afternoon he witli call upon you to ascertain whether he has correctly taken down every detail of the etatement which — made him on your behalf. I purpose to remain in this neighbourhood for a few days; and I shall see you again. But ere I leave you on the t occasion, let me repeat my warning,—that you indulge not too far in whatsoever hope I may have held out—but that you fix your thoughts upon that heaven whose forgiveness you so much need !” : Lettice made a suitable answer; and then, as Mr. Redeliffe was about to leave her, she said, “May I hope, sir, that Madame Angelique has not succeeded by other means in enticing away Eveleen from the home to which you restored ber P”’ “No,” answered Mr. Eedeliffe: “ Eveleen is eee _— eee oe Eee ete eee eq @ ep. THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. with her parents. She is fally upon her guard against the machinations of that vile woman; and I have no fear that she will either relapee into error, or become the victim of any new snare.” Mr. Redcliffe then took his departare, accom- panied by the heartfelt gratitude of the penitent Lettice Rodney. While this interview was taking place between the philanthropist and the prisoner, the following conversation was being held in the grounds of a handsome country-seat, about four miles from Liverpool. That country-seat was the abode of Sir William Stanley; and the discourse to which we bave just alluded, was progressing bet ween this gentleman and his son. Captain Stanley bad only arrived within the same hour at the paternal man- sion,—where he was to spend a few weeks, he baving obtained leave of absence from his regi- ment. We have already said he was aboat twenty- four years of age: we may add that he was a hand- some young man—of the middle height—vwell made—and of genteel figure. He was steady in his conduct—endowed with high notions of honeur —of generous disposition—and of conaderable intellectual acquiremente. He.had a good parent: but he himself was a son of whom any father might be proud. “And who is this Mr. Redcliffe whom yoo are expecting to-day Pf’ inquired Captain Stanley, s he sauntered with Sir William through the spe cious and well iaid-out grounds attached to the mansion,—which we may as well observe bore the name of Stanley Hall. ‘Do you not remember, my dear Robert, how I was indebted to a gallant Englishman for my lif when traversing the Indien juncle——” “Can I, my dear father, ever forget an occur. rence which, when I read it, caused me for the moment as much cruel terror as if I hed indeed lost yoa—but which the next instant was suc- ceeded by es thrilling a joy at the certainty of your escapeP You however omitted in your letter to epecify the name of the valorous Engtishman who reecued you from those bloodthirsty Thugs; aad after your return to Engiand you never happened to mention it.” “That gentleman, then,” rejoined Sir Willian, “is the Mr. Redcliffe who will be with us pre sently.” “And most heartily shall I grasp the hand of my father’s deliverer!” exclaimed the Captain. “Sineerely do I hope, too, that he will remain with us some while: for Ais is a friendship which I shall be proud to cultivate.” “You will have the opportanity,” replied 8i William Stanley: “for according to the letter which I received from Mr. Redcliffe this morning, he to remain with us a few days; and I know that he will be here again shortly, before your leave of absence oxpirese,—inasmuch ae he takes considerable interest in a case which has caused great excitement in our neighbourhood, and which will be brought forward at the approaching . assisce———I_ mean that of the accused young | woman, Lettice Rodney.” “Ah! that reminds me, my dear father,” ex- claimed the Captain, “that when you wrote to me some time ago upon the subject, you hinted that you were not quite so convinced as other per- sons seemed to be, of the prisoner’s guilt.” ieee 34ers eww — - 4), AACE (GO) DOO Col