The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 235: what you’re looking at

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ren a px SS THES MYSTERIES. 222 @” ee Le freely before strangers,—while Miss Plantagenet |; But while he was yet toasting as it were upon the was thus deliberating, we say, the door opened and Rose Foster entered the apartment st My dear girl,” exclaimed the Countess of Des- borough, hastening forward to meet her with a generous enthusiasm,—“ I was just making the kindest inquiries concerning you. Allow me to introduce my friend Miss Plan——” cried Rose Foster, with an ejaculation of mingled sar- prise and alarm, as her looks encountered those of the false Miss Plan : then, instantaneously ing certain past incidents, she flew fran- tically towards the Marchionees of Bellenden, ex- claiming, “Save me, dear lady—save me from that nobleman in disguise! He is one of the patrons of the infamous Mrs. Brace——end it can be for no good purpose that Lerd Florime!, thus dis- “Lord Flerimel!” ejaculated the Countess of Desborough, a light breaking in upon her, and the whole deception flashing to her mind in a moment. But the young nobleman—for he indeed it was —had no disposition to remain and face three angry, outraged women. In Rose Foster ho had instantaneously recognised that same Camilla Morton whom Mrs. Brace had once offered to sell unto his arms : and the moment she gave vent to the ejaculatory remarks which showed that the re- cognition was mutual and that his exposure was imminent, he prepared for a hurried retreat. No sooner, therefore, was his name flung forth from the lips of the terrified and astonished giri, than he sprang to the door—threw it open—and rushed towards the stairs. But his foot caught in a mat —hp fell heavily—and his forehead came in con- taet with one of the porcelain vases that adorned the landing. We heard and saw no more: consciousness had When Lord Florimel slowly returned te himself —awaking gradually from the deep trance in which he had been plunged—he found himeelf lying in bed, but enveloped with a darkness as black as that of a sepulchre. <A stupendous silence likewise entombed him : and while no gleam of light reached the eye, no footstep nor voice met the ear. By degrees his ideas began to settle themselves in the proper departments of the brain ;—and when he recalled to mind everything that had taken place at the sponging-house—next his ridein the carriage along with Lady Deeborough—and lastly, his visit to Bellenden Priory, he raised his hand to his brow to steady the recollections which were rolling in upon his bewildered and attenuated brain. But, ah! was it a bandage which his fin- gers encountered ?—a bandage around his head? Yes—and now he remembered that he Lad fallen in his endeavour to fly from the Priory ! Where was be at present, then? In his own house? No: for on stretching out his arms, he grasped curtains with fringes quite different from any that belonged to the fittings of his own man- sion. Was he, then, at the Priory? It was soarcely probable Lady Bellenden would have suffered him to remain there, if it were at all possible to have removed him without endangering his life! turmoil of his bewildering reflections, a clock began to chime. Heavens !—what a thrill of mingled amazement, ecetacy, and suspense, ran through his entire form, as the notes of those musical belis strnck upon his ear. For he had heard them before—Oh! hoe was convinced he had heard them before,—heard them under circumstances, too, the mere reminiscence of which made his whole being glow with rapture, de- spite of the condition of exhaustion into the con- sciousness of which he had just awoke. The chimes ceased—and all was profoundly atill again. Then raising himeelf up in the couch, Fiorimel ascertained with his hands its position in respect to the wall: and afterwards he thrust forth his arms to feel for a particular object near the befl’s head. Yea—it was there—it encountered his tonch,—that large arm-chair in which he had deposited his clothes on a certain occasion ! More agitated grew his feolings,—but with a - blissful and ecstatic emotion, as he pursued his re- searches. Descending cautiously from the couch, for he felt that he was so weak as to be scarcely able to sustain himeelf upon his limbs,—he felt for the table—and then he groped about for the sofa. And he found them,—yes, found them in precisely the position which he had expected—each in thé spot which he had so accurately foreknown. Overcome by the gush of joyous memories and the still more delicious hopes whieh now sped through his brain, he sank down upon that sofa ;— and there he lay for a few minutes, not so much to collect his thonghts as to indulge in the deep Juxuriousneas which they were rapidly assuming. Silence and darkness still environed him: but he perceived that the atmoepbere was pleasantly warm and delicately perfumed. Suddenly the idea flashed to his mind that tho key to the reading of the great secret was at this moment in his possession: ina word, that he need only use his hands and his eyes for a moment to ascertain where he was. For that this was the boudir a7 love and of mystery he had already obtaincd the conviction :—but where was it situated ?—to what mansion did it belong ?—and in what part of London might it be ? Rising from the sofa, Lord Florimel felt his way to the window. The curtains were of thick velvet, and were not only closely drawn, but likewise fas- tened down the middle with large butions. Hoe opened them: and his hands now encountered the shutters. These were secured with a massivo iron bar running all across, and fixed with a padlock. The key of this padlock was not there: the shutters were therefore immoveable—and not even a single chink nor joint was wide enough to admit a gleam from without, even though it were broad mid-day. But whether it were morning, noon, or night, F lori- mel was utierly uuable to determine. Quitting the casement, the young nobleman felt his way to the door. He had not the slightest hope of finding it unlocked: and the result was as he had It was well secured—and so firm in its frame-work that his hand could not shake it Returning to the sofa, he resumed his reolining posture upon it,—murmuring to himself, “ Well, at all events if I am a prisoner, the gaol where I am ElOOO® SS