The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 307: what you’re looking at

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

ee 294 were the power which she wielded at the moment, —whether it were by the mi scorn, indj tion, and defiance af her looks—wqhether it were by the menacing air ahe had assumed—or by the terrible recollections which the sight of the dagger vividly conjured up in the mind of the Duke,— certain it is that he at ance abeyed her; and still palo as deatb, trembling in every limb, and like a conscience-stricken being, he dragged himeelf from the room. Tmmediately afterwards the Princess Indora rapg her bell violently—and then hastened to lock up the dagger again in the box where ahe bad previqusly secured it. The summona was speedily answered hy one of the maids who had previaualy attended upon her; aud Indora said in a calm firm vaice, * I choase not to sleep here alone: you must remain with me for the rest of the night.” Having thus epoken, she locked the door of the ebamber; apd placing the key under the pillow, lay down on the couch,—bidding the maid yndreas moment that interviog was over. The which the seryant brought beck, was a verbal one, —to the effect that the eastern lady weuld grant the Duke aq five minutes’ interview, for the purpose tition, in, the drawing-yoom, sa} jy about half- an-hour. And during that half-hour the wretched March- mont paced to and fro in the drawing-room,—the most restless anxiety gleaming in hig ayes, and displaying iteelf in the quivering of his ashy lips At length the door opened—and the Princess made her appearance. She was qpparelled in 9 pisio hus neat tegvelling-costume,—the dress reachir up to her throat, but fitting tightly to the farm, and thug displeying the superb contoura af ths: grandly symmetri ape. There was s certain coldness in her loaks, which cavezed "7 other deeper feeling ; aud ag sha advanced juta ¢he Enpm. she said in a voiee that was as glacially emotica- jens as har aapoct, “You wish to speqk to me, my ra herself and share it with her. The young woman | lord ventured not a single queation, nor even a word of comment; sbe comprehended full well that the Duke had experienced an indignant repulse; and in her heart she was far from scrry—for even in the short time that Indora had heen beneath that roof, her amiable manners had made a certain impression on all the domestics who had bappaned to come in contact with her. Thus the night was passed by the virtuous and well-principled Indora in fyllegt security: but it was not asa guarantee for such security that she had insisted upon the companionship of the servant-woman. §he had no fear that the Duke would renew his infamous attempt: if was in order that nat the slightest breath of suspicion might tarnish her fair fama—that no whisper of scandal might baye eyen the faintest ground to asperse her honaqur, that she had rung thus rio- lently for the dependant, and commanded that de- pendant to remain with her throughout the night. But how was this night passed by the Duke af Marchmont? We cannot tell. The eye of heaven alone beheld him in solitude of big own chamber, to which—bafficd, defeated, ghastly, ang tremblipg—he retired. But to judge by his ap- pearance when he igsued from that i, at ao early hour in the morning, the night must have been 9 terrible one far him. He looked as if his limbs had not keen once stretched upon his couch —as if hig eye-lidg had not for a single moment elosed in glumber; so haggard and carewarn was he, that he appeared as if a preternatural band had seized upon him and hurled him in a mo- ment qdazen years onward slong the pathway of On isauiag from that chamber hetween aix seven in the marning, he bare a letter in his hand; and summoning e female domestic, bade her teke the letter to the eastern lady's apartment, and bring him back the response. Its contents were limited to a fow lines,—declaring that dazzled by her beauty, and infatuated to a degree that over- powered bis reason, be had obeyed an impulee which was irresistible—that in the humblest terms he craved her forgivaneas—and that he besought her to grant hima five minutes’ interview beforp ' he took his departure, which he would dp the “GED Gwe ee “For pagven’s seke, lady,” exclsimed the miserable Duke, “tell mp what I am to at your hands t know the outrage as abomin @ F) . “But the Dake of Marehmant ig capeble of anything,” interrupted thd Princess, “ where his il passions are cancerned”” “But that scene last might,” ejaculated thy Dake, “appeared to have——Pardition !” he vehemently cried: “I know nat whet to gsy |-——~ I mean that it had 9 significancy——” “ Assuredly ao,” gnawered Indora. “Is bad the significancy belonging to the fixed determination af a virtuous woman to defend ber honoyp, eves though she stretched ite assailant deed at her feet.” wherefore,” asked the _ “Bot wherefore, lady— . Duke, treenbliry hee ead from bead to foot; “did you arm yourself with that—that r” “T¢ is the custom of my country,” was [ndora’s cold yeapqnee, “for ¢ woman whep jn a strange plaoy, to purcound perf with all quitgble de- fences.’ HP that weapon gomeybay wy id ay . gecident P” cried the Duke. ay acciaan 5 DY } ; “Yes—by accident,” was Indorg’s answer, still glacially given. “But where? where?” a i the Puke: and his ecrutinixing regards were fixed keenly upon the Igdy’s countenance, es if to penetrate whether any ulterior thopght or feeling, matiye ar signi- cancy, Igy hidden beneath that jcily dignified t aspect. "Where did I od the daggsr?” she anid: “it was in one of the roome of the mansion. But why question me thus? Methought, my lord, that | and | was to hear the khumblest apology———Yet no!” abe indignantly exclaimed—apd now ber eyes flashed fire. “No langgage in the world hes power to ganyey an excuse fog gach yillany as youre I will tell you frankly, my Jord, that I read your purpose—I was not decejved by the piserably shallow grtifice so flimsily wrapped up in the tale af your wife’s arrival and indispositios. Consequently I waa prepaced—and you know hee well! | “But will you not pardan me? will you not pronounce the word forgiveness /” cried the Duka COMMIC DOO <Sr Col