The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 208: what you’re looking at

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a kiss was wafted, in its billing and half-suppressed softness, toher ear. She hastily turned round ; and perceiving that both Mrs. Fitsherbert and Miss Plantagenet were covered with confusion at having been thus detected in the furtive token of attach- But as this incident was uppermost in her mind, as she looked at Miss Plantagenet, a thought flashed across her brain with the vividness of light- little incident of the kiss was the suddenly kindled a whole train of circumstances into the blaze of a startling s—~and by the peculiar expression of min- wonderment and archness which settled all i Mrs. Fitzherbert and Miss Plantagenet saw that the secret was a least suspected, if not entirely adventure that ever and neck—down to the saperb bosom which the morning-wrapper more than half revealed. “Surely our dear friend has got some strange notion in her head?” observed Miss Plantagenet, also rising from her chair and exerting herself with the tensely straining energy of desperation to surmount the confusion which was overwhelming her “Oh! it is delicious—capital—glorious—exqui- site !” exclaimed the Amazon, her laugh redoubling its joyousness, and her mirth denoting so much good-humour and such a total absence of anything eavouring of maliciousness, that Mrs. Fitzherbert began to feel more assured—or rather, less ex- uncomfortable—and smiles mingled amidst the blushes that covered Miss Plantagenet’s countenance. But in the midst of this curious scene, the door was suddenly opened ; and Master Wasp, the young page whom Lady Lade had taken into her service since Meagies’ expatriation, appeared upon the threshold. “ Now I will take my ” cried the Ama- zon, springing to her feet and her mirth : then, throwing an arch look upon Mrs. Fitzherbert and Miss Plantagenet, she said, “I have not the slightest doubt you will manage to while away the time during my absence. But fear nothing: I am no tale-bearer—the secret is safe-——” “ Please your ladyship,” interrupted‘Wasp, speak- ing in a tome 20 unusually seriees and gloomy that Yh! this is the most amusing—the most delf- | P it instantaneously streck upen the Amancels asiad Hke a presentiment of evil,“I with to tay a few words to yeu without delay —and in private,” he Fr canning Séwards Mrs. Fitsherbert and Miss tagenet. , | “You can speak cat, Wasp,” exclaimed the huntress. “These ladies are friends of mine—end I have no secrets with them: although,” she eb- served, with another rapid look of slyness at the objects of her remark, “they do not always treat me with the same generous confidence.” “But , very serious has hap- something very pened, my lady,” said the yoang page, who seemed to have totally lost his wonted misehievows sharp- ness of look and manner. “Then speak out at once, my boy,” exclaimed the Amarvoa, now paying more attention to thet altered demeanour on his part. manner and desper gloom of countenance. “Ah! what of my husband? demanded the huntress. “Has he come in person to look after me ?and is he annoyed that I should have stayed away from home all night? If so, he can soon satisfy himself that my time has been passed in the company of two ladies,” she added, her humourous vein suddenly reviving as she cast a rapid glance of ely significancy upon Mrs. Fiteherbert and Miss “Alas! your ladyship will never see Sir Johan least-—not alive-—or in this world,” ob- served Wasp, with a faultering tone. “Good heavens! what do you mean ” cried the Amason, all remembrance of the incident which had ere now so exquisitely tickled her fancy, van- ishing in a moment. “Has happened to Sir John ?—{s he-———” “Dead, ury lady,” said Wasp, finishing in solema voice that sentence which her own excitement had prevented her from completing. “Dead!” ejaculated the Amazon: “is it pos- sible ?” turning aside, she gave way for upwards Then, of a minute to the feelings which this announce- ment suddenly stirred up in her bosom. Sir John Lade had given her rank and position had nothing to apprehend on the score of a hus- band’s jealousy or if-temper. In sooth, she had been allowed to do just as she chose—to keep whatever hours might happen to suit har—to go out and retarn home unquestioned and unwatehed —and to wear her masealine at her own good will and pleasure. indulgence on her husband's part, what hed she done? It was true that her bearing towards for COM (C OO co