The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

266 THE MYSTERIES, gravity of expression that might almost be termed ominous. Nor was this to be wondered at: for on arriving in London on the previous evening, he had received from Letitia Lade a fall account of all that had transpired during his absence. She had told him how she had discovered that the Prince was the author of his expatriation, and how his lodgings had been ransacked and the important documents taken away: she freely explained to him how she had visited his Royal ness and become the partner of his bed ip order to regain possession of the papers }—and she likewise made him acquainted with the manner in which the heir-apparent had once more recovered those documents, and how he had warned and menaced herself with regard to the consequences of any future molestation which she might offer him. Already smarting under the cruel and ingrate treatment which he had received from the Prinoe, and arriving in London with a burning desire for revenge, Meagles was not likely to feel his spirits raised by the details of Lady Lade’s narrative. He had built his plans upon the hope of finding the papers secure and safe in the possession of the Amazon, whom he knew to be well aware of the place where he was wont to keep them at his lodgings: but this hope was destroyed by the re- cital which, on his return to London, he heard ‘from her lips. This narrative, as we have above stated, was given on the evening previous to that on which we now introduce our readers to Lady Letitia’s abode. Meagles had returned to his lodgings iu Jermyn Street, where Mrs. Piggleberry went into hysterics of joy at beholding him again. Her fireé @oor had never been let since he was forced to heave Eng- land; and he therefore resumed possession of-the apartments. His property was all sefe im Mrs. Piggleberry’s care: the Amazon had taken charge of his horses during his absence ;—and the votatile Wasp, who was likewise rejoiced to welcome his master safe back again, returned to his service. Lady Lade’s purse was open to him;—and thus in many respects we find our friend Tim restored to the same position which he occupied when the Prince's treachery sent him all on a sudden out of the country. During the morning after the night of his arrival in London, he had called at the lodgings which Melmoth and his family occupied in Westminster when he first knew them: but the faint hope that he had entertained of hearing some tidings in that quarter relative to the fate of the working-man, his wife, and children, was disappointed. He was therefore ignorant whether Melmoth had succeeded in effecting his escape on that memorable night when he committed himself to the mercy of the Thames off Woolwich, or whether he had perished in the endeavour to avoid expatriation. He had likewise called at Mrs. Brace’s establishment in Pall Mall to make inquiries concerning Rose Foster, whose image had ever remained uppermost in his mind: but his queries experienced naught save abrupt and cold negatives. Then, in the afternoon, he had repaired to the abode of Lady Lade, with whom he had promised to dine;—and we therefore now behold the reunited couple sit- ting together over the almost untasted dessert, and discussing the various topics arising from past oc- currences, especially those which the Amazon's history of the preceding evening had developed. “ And thus,” observed Meagles, after a long pause, “every one of our grand hopes has been knocked down and annihilated.” “It would seem so, Tim,” replied the widow: then, smiling outright for the first time that even- ing, she said archly, “Fate has determined that you are not to be a Duke, and that I am there- fore never to be a Duchess.” “ And all through the accursed treachery, ingra- titude, and perfidy of that scoundrel Prince,” added Meagles, bitterly. “Ye your rancour so absorbing that you could not even give me some other hope, Tim,” said Lady Lady, the sunny smile still lingering upon her lips,—“even though you cannot make me a Duchess ?” “My dear Letitia, you are an excellent friend to me,” answered Meagies ; “ and I ought to do any- thing and everything I ean to please you. But you will admit that neither of us can bein a humour to discuss fature plans, unless it be the mode of carry- ing out that vengeance which we are both deter- mined to wreak upon the Prince.” *And yet you must give me one assurance, Tim,” said the widow, looking absolutely enchant- ing asshe spoke. “I intend to wear this garb,” she added, glancing down at her mourning dreas, “precisely one year, as a mark of respect to the memory of a man who was too good to such a worthless, ungratefal wife as I proved towards him. But at the expiration of that time-——” “You and I will be made one,” responded Mea- gles, touched by the devotion of this woman who was rich and independent, but who with all her faults remained faithful to her affection for him, altered though his prospects were. “That assurance is all that I require, Tim,” she observed: “and in the meantime I intend that we shall be upon the best possible behaviour with re- gard to each other—excellent friends, and nothing more. Now, you understand what I mean,” she added, with an arch smile and a deepening of the carnation upon ber cheeks. “I am a singular, wayward, eccentric creature; and I have resolved to remain more faithfal to Sir John’s memory for a year after his death, than ever I was during any one single week of his life-time. That is my phan- tasy: or rather, it is my way of showing as mach gratitude as I can for all the kindnesses he heaped upon me. Perhaps there is also a slight tinge of remorse in the matter——-But never mind !” she exclaimed, suddenly interrupting herself, while a tear glistened in her eye, like a rain-drop upon a sloe in the sun-shine. “You comprehend my meaning—and it shall be an agreement between us, Tim—shall it not ?” “'To be sure, my beauty—since you wish it,” re- turned Meagles, patting the cheek down which that pearly tear was now slowly tracing its way like — another rain-drop over a peach of the deepest ver- ; meil dye. “ Now, is this the way you commence the per- | formance of your part of the agreement?” she . exclaimed, laughing with something like that joy- - ousness of tone which used to sound like a blythe | harmony in Meagles’ ears. “But I am really . serious, Tim,” she observed, her manner suddenly becoming grave, and even determined; “ and tee <i> ED i Hee i Re Heer eee eee ene reer reer ee eee eden ene ee ee A ae ecomilcooolks