The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 263: what you’re looking at

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62 these last words ; bat in another moment she. ed ‘s arms -she was —their cheeks met in burning the iz lady gave back the warm and luscious his es w her lips received from his own. “Then you love me, Eleanor—you love me 7” whispered Ramecy, after a long punse. * From the first momen ¢ thet I caw you, I ox. npn a profoand interest in you,” was “and that at feeling has rapidly gained open me, ‘soqe strengt more If saw of you —the oftener I found myself in your society.” “Qh! ten thousand éhanks for this assurance. my adored Eleanor!” excluimed Ramsey, smoothing her hair of velvet blackness and softness above her high and noble forehead. “It is sweet to be beh ved by yon: and if any one had whispered to me an ago that I was 90 soon to enjoy this elyaian sappinnes, I should have fancied that none but an eagel from heaven could have conferred it on me. deares: Eleanor—four the first time in my iife do I experience the ineffable bliss of love—tts mysterious depth—its unfathomable influence —its eestatic sway —ita voluptucas refinement ;—and I thank thee—frem the profandities of my soul do I thank thee, for initiating me in this empyrean . My existence has kindled into a new life: 5 feel th: consummation of all the golden dreams and brilliant hopes which my fancy has ever foemed when wondering what love could be.” “ And I alse love fur the first time,” BRieanor, her bosom throbbing with an indescribable rapture. “or the first time!” exclaimed Rimsey. ‘Ie is possible that you have never loved till now ?” “ Never with the ardour—the devotion —the en- shusiasm that I feel for you,” she replied, her clear soft voice harmonising with that enchanting love- mess which invested her es with a halo. “Then you love not your husband, sweet Micanor ?” said Rameey, straining her to his breast, as she lay half-reclining in his arme—her cheek his own, snd thelr hair mingling. * No—I never loved him,” she answered empha- really ¢ “and I may perhaps rome day tell you all his attention, devotion, and generosity a never succeed in gaining my affectionr. Yes —that secret may I perhaps reveal to you, Gus- @sves,” she added, a burning blush suffusing itself ever her countenance, as she at the same time cast @own her eyes in shame and confusion “ But there was a moment—not very long ago—when I fancied that I loved another; and for a few days 2 mistook that transitory feeling for the real, pure, and true passion. Such however it was not: for the instant that this other's conduct manifested me in ite intense selfishness and utter pro- Siecy, 1 was enabled to discard him from my beert with an ease that astonished even myeelt. tie ment fe love -the sincurest, tenderest this apt w=se you to appear before my eyes as a character lees amiable and worthy than now I believe you to be, I should still love—astili cling to you—=still be the earth. 'Thise to follow you over the face of shall never koow agein !” “Oh! weloome, dearest Eleanor—welcome indeed te my oot! is this love of thine,” said Bamsey, im. THE MYSTERIES “cloting a thoutead Lown upon tar pe “ Yos— his“; Wéloome thig virgin love es if it were also your contest—and garcia nse orien derh — “ Gastavus—dear Gustavus,” whispered Eleanor which youhave just uttesbd———Bat, no matter—— I dare not tell you my secret now——” And her lovely head rested upon his shoulda, her bosom palpitating against his breast. “ To- my angel,” tis voloo wae fall’ of low and malting tone for hi his voice was fall of s ready made your caresses so ineflably sweet.” The Countess whispered a reply ; and Ramsey's features became radiant with joy, and triumph, and sensual ow at Rappiness awaits me, he continued, in that same soft marm : “and how tedi- already standing on the threshold of paradise! No—not tediously will pass ~ because we Seas eee, daring . and, though in the presence of we mast soon be happy! And when the rives at last, my Eleanor—then jn the of your own chamber, and when clasped in each other's arms, you can breathe in my ear that secret to which you alluded ere now.” “ Yes—for henceforth we will have with each other,” replied the fond, impassioned women in whose veins the hot blood circulated like Nghtaing. & 8 ® 8 e e e @ ® 8 ® - "Twas midnight—and Eleanor was now alone in her chamber. The lady’s- maids had jast withdrawn, having as- sisted thelr mistress to tay eee ner Sarmenta, and arrange her luxuriant A loose wrapper enveloped her form—her naked feet were thrust into slippers ;—and, half-reciining upon a sofa drawn near the fire, the Countess awaited with indescribable feelings the coming of her lover. The wax-candles upon the mantel had been ex- tinguished ; and a small night-lamp, placed on the toilette-table joined its rays with the light of the far | fire to shed a soft and subdued lustre through the room. Delicious exhaled from porcelain vases ctatiding in the window-recesess ;—and the warm and fragrant atmosphere seemed te he the voluptuous breath of love iteelf. How rapidly beat Eleanore heart os she lay half-reclined upon the sofa A species of timidity bride feels when entering the a upon her. Her colour fifty times in a minute wou plowing « with the richest crimeea apom her cheeks —now sinking into a strange palecess ; CORNICE OOO ©) CO