The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 53: what you’re looking at

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_@ (o their respective homes. As a matter of courtesy, Lord Clandon requested then to wait for dinner, which would be shortly served up: but this, under the circumstances, was a mere ceremonial act of politeness, which was of course declined. Imme- diate orders were issued to have trunks packed up and carriages gottea in readiness: the com- mands were promptly obeyed—and by seven o'clock on this memorable evening the guests had ali taken their depa*ture. Lord Clandon now hurried off towards the vil- lage where he he? promised to meet his brother, end which was about a mile distant. Lees than a quarter of an hour’s rapid walk brought him to the tavern in the village; and on inquiring for the Hon. Mr. Bertram Vivian, he was at once shown into the little parlour where his brother, with feverish anxiety and harrowing suspense, was awaiting his arrival. Very nearly three hours had elapsed since they parted m the grounds of the mansion, and when Bertram so passionately im- plored Hugh to hasten away and assure their uncle of his wife’s innocence. During this inter- val, which had seemed an entire age, the unfor- tunate Bertram had endured agonies of mind which, if spread over whole‘ centuries, and por- tioned out as the lot of millions of human beings, ‘would even thus in each infinitesimal part have been excruciatingly intolerable—but which, when condensed into the space of three hours, and ag- gregated as the burden which a single individual had to bear, were overpowering and soul-crushing beyond the capacity of language to describe. The first glance which Lord Clandon threw upon his brother, as he entered the little parlour of the village inn, showed him how fearfully Bertram saust have suffered. “What tidi Hugh P” inquired Bertram, literally gasping with the fever of suspense, and with the horrible misgivings which Lord Clandon’s melancholy expression of countenance was but too well calculated to inspire “ Alas! nothing good,” was the elder brother’s response. “ Notning good !’’ murmured the Ber- tram, his features indicative of despair. “ But what has occurred? Tell me, Hugh!” he ex- claimed, with feverish haste. “Did you assure our uncle——” “My dear Bertram,” rejoined Lord Clandon, his brother's hand and pressing it, “I did all that I could—but in vain!” ‘“‘ And my letter P” cried Bertram : “ has not the Duke had my letter ?” “ Your letter P" exclaimed Clandon, in astonish- ment. “ Bat now I bethink me,” Bertram went on to say rapidly, “it could not have reached the house before you must have left. I despatched it by a boy half-an-hour beck. I was mad — frenzied — goaded to desperation! The time was passing, and you came not-——~I knew not what to do —— my anxiety was intolerable——” “And what said you to the Duke im yopr letter ?’”’ asked Lord Clandon. “TI scarcely recollect,” replied Bertram. “I tell you that [ was mad when I wrote it——I am mad still! My God, and she innocent! But where is she, Llugh? what has become of her ?”’ * Bhe has left Oaklands,” answered Lord Clan- THE MYSTERING OF THE COURT. don. “ First of all she was to depart with Mrs. ailey——" “ And obe has left?” exclaimed Bertram wildly: “she has left? She has lost her who isinnocent! Oh, wretch that I am !—at is I thas have caused this fearful havoc of feelings—this frightful desolation of circumestances!”—end the miserable young man wrung his hands bitterly. “ But she has left, you say P” he almost immediately added. “ Whither has she gone ?” “I know not,” responded Clandon. “Mrs. Bailey without her; and the unfortunate Elisa quitted the house on foot—alone——” “Good heavens! is this podeible ?” Bertram : and the wildness af frenzy was in his eyes. “Eliza gone forth alone—unattended—on foot———an outcast—ea wanderer! Oh, it is in- tolerable !”’——and snatching up his hat, he rushed madly to the door. “Whither would you go, Bertram?” cried Lord Clandon, seizing his brother forcibly by the arm to hold him back. “Whither would I go?” ejaculated the almost maddened young man. “To find her whom my insensate passion has ruined! to console her, if consolation be possible—to implore her pardon— to adopt means to prove her innocence——” “ But, Bertram—— “Detain me not, Hugh! detain me not!” —and thus speaking with increasing frenzy of feelings and rabid vehemence of manner, Bertram rushed forth from the village inn. Lord Ciandon hurried out to the threshold of the front door: but his brother had already dis CHAPTER IX. THE CATAGTROPES. ABOUT a quarter of an hour after Lord Clandon had left the mansion to his with —but hurried away the moment he had acquitted himeeif of his commission. That was the letter had sent: but the address on the hall-porter gave the letter to a footman,—who, proceeding up-stairs, knocked at the door of the apartment in which the Duke of Marchmont still mained. within ; and his voice was half stern, half pas- “TI expressly ordered———” “A letter, my lord,” responded the footman, trembling with alarm. “From whom?’ demanded the Duke. “T know not, my tore” ay Fepcined the comvaten, “It is in a strange hand The Duke opened the door, and received the letter. The footman, as he caught a momentary 1 a _ (SOL (C DOO Col