The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

“~R 256 THE MYSTERIES. tion they were in as officers of the pirate-ship. Therefore the evidence of myself and the man Panl Winnington, the surviving sailor of the Fire- fly, will be needed upon the trial. The captain of the Diana, believing me to be a respectable mer- chant, allowed me at once to come to London, on my solemn pledge to appear as a witness when the Admiralty Court shall require my presence ;—and Warren, doubtless having heard it whispered that such was the fact, gave me as we landed the signi- ficant look of which I have spoken and which ex- pressed the word ‘Beware’ as eloquently as a glance and gesture can possibly perform the part of the language of the tongue.” “And now what do you propose to do, Ramsey ?—and what do you wish me to undertake in your behalf?” asked the heir-apparent. “ My pardon, great Prince! —my pardon!” ex- claimed the unhappy man, clasping his hands to- gether, while the big tear-drops rolled down his handsume though somewhat care-worn counte- nance. “ But if you obtained it, would you show yourself boldly abroad again in the world?” demanded the Prince. “ No—never—never !” hastily replied the resus- citated. “But I should at least enjoy the assurance of personal safety, and not tremble at every search- ing look that might accidentally be fixed upon me.” “ Are you afraid that even if you were recognised - by any one who had known you formerly, such an —— individual would be stern, and harsh, and cruel enough to give you up to justice after all you have undergone ?” “ Yes—oh! yes—I am convinced of it!” ex- claimed Ramsey, with considerable excitement both in his tone and manner. “ First, there is Sir Richard Stamford himself, who would show me no mercy: then there is a certain nobleman of lofty rank and great wealth, who discovered that I was the object of his wife’s tenderest and best affec- tions, and who indeed was the main cause of my abrupt departure from England—a course to which he urged me by means of the moat terrible threats of vengeance.” “What! did this amour take place after your trial and——” “And execution, your Royal Highness would add,” said Ramsey, in a low deep tone which was also penetrated with a slight accent of bitterness. “But no matter —I must make up my mind to adopt that one tremendous incident in my life as the date which closes one portion of my career and marks the opening of another. It is as it were the date of death and life |” ‘‘And a noble lady loved you since that fatal era in your existence ?” mused the Prince, without heeding the observations which the criminal had just made. “ But she was doubtless ignorant at the “Oh! yes—she was ignorant then of my accursed fate!” exclaimed Ramsey. “And I was so happy in the enjoyment of her love—and she had con- sented to fly with me—yes, to leave her husband for my sake——"” “Your amour was deeply tinged with romance, Mr. Ramsey,” observed the Prince. “Ah! it was indeed characterised by extra- ordinary circumstances,” pursued the criminal ; “and not the least of all was the fact that this rl Mr. | swered Ramsey. high-born lady, so eminently beautiful and of suer impassioned temperament, came a virgin to my arms !” “ A virgin f” echoed the Prince. “I thought you told me she was married to a nobleman who per- secuted you on her account.” “ And such is indeed the truth,” responded Ram- sey. “ But although she had been married upwards of six years, she was still as innocent, pure, and chaste in budy as she was fervid, impassioned, and glowing in mind.” “You astonish me!” exclaimed the Prince. “Do I know this heroine of so strange a history ?” “Your Royal Highness knows her well,” an- “But I dare not say more upon the subject-—— ” “Qh! how cruelly you have piqued my curiosity,” exclaimed the Prince. “I would give worlds to know who this lady is! Will you tell me her name? Ten thousand, thousand times do I swear not to betray your confidence—and I shall positively es- teem it a favour if you will comply with my request. I never in ail my life experienced so vivid an in- terest in another person’s amour as in yours.” “If your Royal Highness commands me to re- veal this .secret,” began Ramsey,—‘ I have no al- ternative——” “Then Ido command you" cried the Prince, every lineament of his countenance expressing the most lively curiosity. “ Speak—tell me who was this marvellous beauty—this heroine of so romantic a history ?” “ But what opinion will your Royal Highness form of me, if 1 betray that noble lady?” said Ramsey, still hesitating. “Tt is in the strictest confidence—and no harm can ensue,” rejoined the Pr:ace. “ Come—tell me quickly—who was she ?” “The Countess of Desborough,” answered Ramsey. ‘What !— the Countess of Desborough” ex- claimed His Royal Highness, starting up from the sofa as if with the sudden influence of an electric shock. “Is it possible?—the proud, imperious, cruel, and prudish Eleanor of Desborough ?” “T have told your Royal Highness the truth,” responded Ramsey, somewhat amazed at the un- expected degree of excitement which the revelation of the noble lady’s name bad produced upon the Prince. “ You astound me!—I am struck as with a con- sternation !” continued the heir-apparent, his looks verifying the words which he was uttering. “But, ah! now a light breaks in upon me—you have ex- plained the mystery which enveloped the domestic life of the Earl and Countess of Desborough—the circumstance of their occupying separate chambers ——-Yes—I understand it all now—the miserable husband is impotent !” “That is the tremendons secret of the Des- boroughs,” observed Ramsey. “ Bnt I implore your Royal Highness to place an eternal seal upon your lips——” “Such an injunction is unnecessary, Mr. Ram~ sey,” interrupted the Prince, still scarcely able to throw off the consternation of amazement which had seized upon him. “ And so the brilliant Eleanor was your mistress—your paramour ?” he continued in a musing tone. “ Well, methinks that you have trained her to a nath which she has not since shown ElOOO® SS