The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 111: what you’re looking at

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98 who, like myself, can look the world in the face but who dares not take a survey of his own soul. In a word, such a man must first place himself entirely in my power, before I will consent to place myself in his; and he who will do this to prove his devotion, not only gains my love for evermore, but may likewise enjoy the use of those superfluous thousands which J now bestow upon thankless relatives or equivocal public institu- tions.” “ T have dwelt with an interest-dhe anoat pro- found, dear lady, upon every word whish has fallen from your lips,” said the noblemaa, bewil- dered by her language and intoxicated 'by¢be fond ardour of her caresses; “and I now camprehend you fully. But suppose that I wasdottell you, while becoming a candidate for yourgegmanent love, that.I have never committeil ada tbe re- velation of svhieh-would place mo iin gmpr power, and that.J-am therefore unable to give you the guaramecs which you require.” ‘+ age you:to tell me thisnunab, ‘ugene,” re- pli@l dhe lady, in a tone of prompt decision, “ “] should. not believe -you—and indsaitgwau-would at once.destroy all the confidence sttidb i might be previously dispesed toplace in yeu. Macsanss there breathes not a man wibo has dynsbetl ibimscii to pleganre and who isanown to beewpivarvagant and - ‘even profligate,—thess breathes met euch aman who-gan hold his paad erect ané.proclaim himeelf sinless. No—it.istmppossiale! And, snasegme:, were -you40-davedegathe sueh an assertion ingny ' gare, it would teke the sapestef an insult : ¢ams- wmnch esit would de ur own vagehed wixtue with my fesilty and.qbame.” + Dearest Indy, I do not.ptvtend to be igumasa- " iddshe Earl, “ pay, mona—-I ill oven confensamn” confidance; Bagone—~may hendsamie Bugene !"-ex- claimed the impasgioned unknewn ; an@fastening . her lips to his mouth,.she begtowed upen am long, juxurious, and burping a kiss that his form quivered with a perfect frengy of ecstatic sensga- tions, and he experienced all the delicious ebriety of the soul's thrilling raptures. Yes, now I be- gin to adore you, my Eugene,” continued the Cir- cassian Slave, her bosom heaving and falling with voluptuous tumult against his chest: “and I will make you the god of my worship—the idol of my devotion, if you have only the courage to gain my epnfidence. Oh! I already feel that we are des- tined to arsive at a full and complete anderstand- ing with each other ;—and I now rejoice at the deception which you practised in order to take the place of your friend Florimel. For you, my Eugene, ean appresiate the love and tenderness which I am prepsred to beatow upan you, and which will place all I possess at your disposal! Yes—there is noe eacrifice that I will not make for you, Eugene, in order ta. prove the strength—the andour—the permanence of my attachment; and in retarn you will ever be as kind and amiable as you are now.” “Qh! every word you utter consiitutes.an irre- one semptation, syrom that thou art ” myrmur- ed the. nobleman, now intoxicated with passion and with desire to a degree which rendered him. vecklega of everything inthe whole world save the charming. object of his present enthusissm. “ Newes did I bagame, ao completely. prey to the. _ wilghing énfuance of woman, as I now am--never | wes] ap piterly: optraliad by the magic of her 50 THE MYSTERIES. voice, the tender persuasivenegs of her tongue, and the ardour of her caresses. Oh! to behold your countenance—to look into the depth of those eyes which must be so beautiful—to gaze upon the ex- : pressive softness of those features which are fault- less even to the touch as I pass my hand over them —to behold the flush of love and pleasure upon yourcheeks—and to see that bosom’s heaving which I now feel,—Oh! what sacrifice would I not make —what price would I not pry? Yes; even if it were placing my mor than honour— my very ex- istence—in your power, I should not hesitate !” “Then you do love me, Eugene—you love me, although you have not sagen my face?” exclaimed the Circassian Slave, throwing fresh fervour if pose- sible into her caresseg and emorethrilling tender- ness into her voice. ‘ But I have stready told you that I am beautiful—and it«will beaproud moment for me when [can reveal.my-gowmtagance to your eyes! Oh! then, I shail net feprtheresult of the impression which will #eamGde~pen you ; on the contrary, I have vanity'enempgh to believe that you will bless the day flags quuvegngh a mistress to yourgems. Mosmeoverr-~and-yeou will excuse me dor again douching @pon such gaeject at such a enoment,— I know that yourvesouress have been woll nighabscsbed by -yuurtove of glenpure and a vain ouslaw-sit ; and tt aii be my joy and delight to bring Gack suiles to gear lips by placing some fifteen or Seventy theusand ponnds ia your hands. Yes, hawethat exm at wy disposal at the pre- - ment Gime; equil it ts yours, ‘Rugene—your's, as a nell token of my lowes .a proof of mv confi- dence--s8-am euencet of that compact of affection sad af.e-qqoret wedlerstantivg which must hence- forth @ind us to each other. And think not, my hemiseme Eugene, that I shall prove a jealous | anhetvess, or thatemy ridiculous whims or despotic ‘Ah! now you iuspire-memith:an mereaiog exactions on wy gaft will instill the feast drop of gail into the coup of pleasure which we are to quaff w#ith each other. No; my whole study shall be to ensure your happiness ; and if you choose to make some deserving woman the partner of your rank and fortune, I shall not regafd berasa rival. Bes | cause I shall rest assured that you will stil) finda- | few occasional leisare momenta to devote to one who has already conceived a sudden but not the less powerful affection for you, and who is dis- posed to make every sacrifice to ensure your felicity and retain your friendship until death.” There was something indescribably winning in the caresses that accompanied this persuasive ap- peal which went searchingly to the innermost depths of the nobleman’s heart; and there was likewise something so mysteriously romantic and yet so full of truth and sincerity in the language- . and the manner in which the impassioned woman Offered her love and her riches for the acceptance of that man whose ardent temperzment made him rejoice at the possession of the former aud whose almost beggared purso caused him to snatch greedily at the latter,—there wits something so strange, so full of a magic. charm, so profoundly touching in all this, that the strongest mind would heve yielded and the most suspicious nature would have given wey. The reeder will not therefore be surprised if Lord Montgomery surrendered himself, sau] and body, tothe ineffable Witchery of that mysterious influence; — and . saxxions to behold the reslisation of all that the enameured lady had shadowed forth in language alike a0.teuder end so glowing, he folded Wer ia an tS RSS. se ~~ y SS GOH GOO