The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 125: what you’re looking at

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114 secret. I have not shrunk from trusting you with it: I know that you will not betray me. It was a vengeance which I wreaked; and though before I perpetrated the deed I considered myself jus- tified in seeking the deadliest revenge for my out- raged honour and my wrecked happiness—though all the world too would hold that I was thus justified—yet frankly do I confess that my oon- science has reproached me ever since the moment that I stood a murderer amidst that wild Alpine scenery! Nevertheless, I repeat, { know that you will not betray me. But let me continue I have only a few more words fo say. I took from the person of the Viscoun$ whatsoever papers might prove his identity; and I dragged the corpse to a spot where [ saw fhat the drifting snow was accumulating fast, In a few minutes the body of the Visgount was completely enveloped in the winding-sheet which natyre’s hend wove in countless ‘myriads of fakes ground by and J knew that my secret was safy. And go it proved. Several yeare elapsed ere the corpse wae disin- terred from its mausoleum of snow by one of the dogs of the Hospice; gnd several more years elapsed ere the Marchioness and Alfred were led to the elucidation ef the oat Vissount’s fate. Alfred came to me at Fonfainebleau tg report the discovery—to entreat my forgiveness fowards his father’s memory—and to beseech that these might be reconciliation between the §wo families; for he said that if J received him With rancour, he should feel as if his father’s sins wore being visited anathematisingly upon piaseli | saw that the young mean suspected not his sire bed met his death otherwise then by an aceiden§ which often overtakes travellers amidst the Alpine mountains ; —but yet J was alarmed! (Qunscience, Lady Octavian,” added M. Vulney ip 9 guolewn fons, “ makes cowards of us all !" There was another brief pause—& pause which Zoe could not interrupt; for she wae stil) ¢ prey to almost overwhelming feelings: but the French gentlemen acon continued in the following strain :— “TI refused to give the hand of friendship to Alfred Delorme. It was not, Lady Octavian, be- cause I in reality visited upon himself the sins of his father: it was becauee I could not bear the idea of meeting, much less encouraging the visits of one whose presence would cuntinuously remind me that his mre bad met hie death at my haad. And then too, the horrible suspicion existed in my mind that the same blood which flowed in the veins of Alfred Delorme might also flow in the veins of Clarine; and I recoiled in consternation from the idea that is was poasible for them to be- eome enamoured of each other. Thus, in order to rid myself of Alfred Delormo—ia the hope of pre- venting him from seeking me out for the future— I roughly and rudely repelled his conciliatory over- tures. I assumed the sir and speech of vindictive- ness: I sent him away saddened and dejected. And then | lost no time in abandoning my home and taking Clarine with me—it being my inten- tion to bury ourselves in sume deep sulitude. It was amunget the Pyrenean regione or the wilde of Catalonia thet J thought of settling our future abode: but on reaching the adjacent village and on bebolding this Chateau, I conceived the place and neighbourhood to be sufficiently suited for my THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. purpose. It has however pleased heaven to direct the footsteps of Alfred Delorme hither; and that which I had done so much to avoid—that which [ have so much striven to prevent, has taken place. They have met—and they love each other !” There was another brief pause: and then M. Volney concluded thus :— “One tremendous barrier has been broken down : it ceases to exief. That letter, which Alfred Delorme must doubtless have found amongst his deceased father’s papers, when taking possession of his ancestral home—or which might have been in possession of the Marchioness who so tenderly reared him—hss convinced me that my wife be- came not completely criminal until after the birth of Clarine. Tha barrier therefore is destroyed. But how can [ reeugnise Alfred Delorme as my son- in-law P—how ean } extend the hand of frieadship towards him—that hand which took his father’s life! Counsel—advise me, Lady Octavian. I pledge myself to fulfill your jojunotions, whatever they may pe! But es fog that terrible secret of mine ” “It is M. Volney—it is safe with me,” replied Zoe, ia @ low voice of deep solemnity. " Foy will wot expect me to offer any comment upon thas favrible portion of your narrative. Bat in respect te Ciarina—in respect to the Viscount—I can have ag bes}tgtion in offering an opinion. If you insist upoy severing them, you will be sacri- ficing their happiness to the sense of ad . “IT understand yoy, Lady Octevian !” said M. Volney: “to thea eense of my own guilt! Yes, yea—tt isso! 1 must noé be selfish | “ Mo, M. Valney,” observed Lady Octavian im- pressivaly ; “there must be the completest self- abneggtion on your part——” : “ Phere shali be—there shall be!’ responded the French gentleman. “ Puvor Claring! she has already been mede too much the victim of my own wretched destiny |” He rose from his seat, and paced the room for a few jnstents with agitated steps: his form was bowed—be looked ten years older than he had egemed on the preceding day. “ Yes—-they shall be united !” he said, suddenly stopping short in front of Lady Octavian. “ Hasten and convey, this intelligence to Clarine. The bridal shall take place soon; and afterwards — afterwards,” added M. Volney, “I wili seek some foreign country—there to dwell for the remainder of my life!” Zve could not help compassionating the un- happy man whose crime had arisen frum a sense of deepest wrong; and when she issued from his presence, sho felt that the tears were streaming down her cheeks. Having composed her feelinge somewhat, she sped td Clarine’s chamber; and to that young lady did she impart the happy intelii- gence which she had to contey. We need scarcely add that Zoe respected M. Voiney’s secret, terribie though it were. Joy—indeecribable joy expanded upon Clarine’s countenance: the sense of indispo- sition vanished ; and she hastened to apparel her- self that she might welcome her jlover whea he should come, according to appointment, to learn COMME OOO SS} (CO