The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 264: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TER MiIvtERT ws. “TI hope so too,” exclaimed Mr. Page. “But not knowing anything of the young gentleman, I must confeas that I took rather an unfavourable view of the business, after reading the newspaper re- “Was not the accusation first made against a young female whose innocence speedily became apparent ?” asked Pauline: “ and may not my cousin in the same manner have become, as I just now expressed myself, the victim of circumstantial evidence? The same almighty providence which decreed the justification of Miss Rose Foster, will likewise make manifest the innocence of Mr. Arthur Eaton. At least, I sincerely hope so,” added Pauline emphatically. “Let me see,” observed Mr. Page;—*“he has been in prison now upwards of a month—and all the newspapers declared at the time that he was a monomaniac. I suppose he will be put upon his trial all the same ” “ He will assuredly court the fullest investigation,” answered Pauline, The rapid succession of unfor- tunate incidents which have occupied the interval since the mysterious event took place, has altogether prevented me from visiting my cousin and affording him my sympathy. In fact, I have scarcely dared to leave my sister for a single moment,” continued the young lady, again lowering her voice to such a tone as to be inaudible to Octavia: “otherwise I should have assuregly repaired to the dreadful prison in which Arthur Eaton is confined, and by my pre- sence have assured him that there was at least one person in the world who did not believe him guilty of the crime imputed tohim. But, although I was unable to visit him, I did not forget to write,” addec Pauline; “and I assured him of my sympathy.” ‘You acted most generously,” said Mr. Page. “I suppose his father—Lord Marchmont, I believe—is dreadfally cut up ?” ‘¢ The unhappy old nobleman has been confined to his bed ever since the fatal ocourrence which threw so dark an aspersion upon the fame of his beloved son,” replied Pauline: “ but as the trial must soon take place, let us hope that the result will restore Mr. Eaton to liberty and honour, and his sire to health and happiness.” The conversation was at this moment interrupted by a knock at the front door ;—and Mr. Page inter- changed a rapid and somewhat uneasy look with his better half. This furtive glance was however unno- ticed by Pauline, whose attention was instantaneously directed towards her sister; inasmuch as any sudden noise, especially a knock or ring at the door, invari- ably produced a startling effect upon her nerves. Several heavy footsteps were now heard in the passage; and the maid-servant, opening the parlour- door, said, “ Some persons wish to speak to you, Miss, if you please.” But before Pauline had time to utter a syllable in reply, the visitors pushed somewhat rudely past the domestic and entered the parlour. They consisted of three men, not over prepossessing in their appear- ance, and whose aspect at once produced upon Pane { line the effect of an evil presentiment,—while the 1 same frightened feeling was experienced by Octavia, who, starting to her feet, clung to her sister’s arm as a daughter might throw herself upon the protection ef a fond mother. As for Mr. and Mrs. Page—they once more ex- changed rapid glances; and in the look of the former Zhi there appeared to be a transitory expression of regret for some treacherous part which he was playing— whereas the woman's features were stamped with » cold and selfish decision. “What do you require of mef” asked Pauline now recovering her presence of mind and addressing. the three men, who were gazing first at her and then at her sister. “Which is Miss Octavia Clarendon?” demanded the foremost of the party. “Oh! what do they mean to do with me?” ex- claimed the unhappy young lady whose name had } ust been mentioned: and she clasped her hands in “Explain the nature of your visit—and be speedy,” said Pauline wrestling painfully against the strong spasm which ran through her entire frame :. for once more did the presentiment of evil flame up. with an appalling brilliancy in her mind. “ Well, we won't keep you any longer in suspense, Miss,” returned the spokesman of the party. “The truth is that Dr. Wigton and Dr. Smanks have con- sulted together—and they’ve come to the unanimous conclusion that it would be much more condacive to Miss Octavia’s health and peace of mind, if she was taken proper care of for a short time—a few months, or a0 ;—and they've signed a certificate to that eflect. This certificate has been placed in the hands of Dr, Burton ; and we’re the doctor’s men. There’s a chaise waiting outside ——” ° “QO God! I understand you now too well—too well!” shrieked forth Pauline, all the anguish which had been accumulating while the man was speak- ing, now finding scope for the development of its pent-up fury: and wildly she flung her arms. around her sister’s neck, exclaiming, “ No—no—. they shall not take thee from me, my own beloved . Octavia !—they shall not separate us thus!” “ What mean you, dearest ’” cried the elder Miss.. Clarendon, returning the fond—the fervid pressure of her sister’s embrace. was evidently the sure precursor of a still more frightfal storm. “Oh! Octavia—dearest, dearest Octavia,” ex- claimed Pauline, in a voice of the most rending, piercing, desolating agony,—“they wish to take you from me——My God! they mean to separate. us! Oh! we are motherless—we are all the samc as if wo were fatherless likewise —— we are two orphan sisters——yes, two orphan sisters——alone and friendless in the world! And they will not allow us to remain together——they would tear us asunder—separate us-———" “No—no: they shall not—they shall not™ screamed forth Octavia: and, falling upon her knees at her sister’s feet, she gazed up with a sude den expression of frenzied terror settling upon her- countenance eo marble pale. “ Pauline—Pauline- —you will not let me go!—-you will not let me be. torn from you! They will place me upon the rack. —they will subject me to the torture—they wil} put out my eyes—they will cut off my tongue— they will tear my flesh with red-hot pincers——* “QO horror! she is going mad again—mad!— mad!” shrieked Pauline, her own brain reeling with delirium as she thus gave unguarded and uncon- trollable vent to her mortal fear. “Mad! mad!” echoed Octavia, starting up to her feet like a body suddenly galvanized :.and ex-. “Who will take me from . you?” she asked, with a terrible calmness which . ElOOO® SS