The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 282: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIBG OF THE COURT. morse !—¢hese were incompatible with such a dis- position as Sagoonah’s ! Her mind was made up how to act. At present she felt herself too weak and feeble to move from her couch: but she was resolved to take the ear- liest opportunity, not merely to escape from the villa, but likewise te carry out all her original plans of vengeance. In the meanwhile it was necessary to dissemble. She must give nu sign of consciousness—or else she would be questioned by the Queen: perbaps she would be reproached f— at all events it suited her purpose in every way to simulate a prolonged unconsciousness of cvery- thing that was passing around her. Thus several days elapsed; and daring this pe- riod Sagoonah so well played her part, that no one who entered her chamber entertained the remotest suspicion how vividly the light of reason had flamed up again. It was as if a lamp were burning witbin atomb which the unenspicious passer-by conceived to be inwardly plunged into obscurity. Sagoonah felt her strength rapidly increasing; and she soon saw that the moment was approaching when she must pat into exeeution her project of escape. The medical attendant declared that physically she was pact all danger; but he expressed ta the Queen and Christina hie apprehension that her reason was gone for ever—this being the only hypothesis to account for that seeming absence of consciousness which the wily and treacherous Sagoonah so effec- tually simulated. And she heard the observations which were thus made by the side of her eouch ; and never once did a muscle of her face move sus- piciously—vever once did a rush of blood to her cheeks betray her knowledge of what was thus | speed passing arcund her. Surgeon, Queen, Christina, nurse, —all were deceived !—all imagined that Sa- goonah remained in utter ignorance of her position ! They knew not that within that apparently uncon- scious form the darkest passions wore agitating— the deepest designs were being formed—and the vitality of the intellect had sprung up with an un- impaired power. -Duys paseed, as we have said, sinee her return to eonsciousness; and Sagoonah was now watching an opportanity of escape. It failed not to present itself. One morning after breakfast, when both the ‘Queen and Christina were in the Hiadoo woman’s chamber, the following brief dialogue took lace. P “Jt is my purpose, dear Christina,” said the Queen, “to pay the promiced visit this forenoon to Miss Isabella Vincent. You know that I assured your brother I would take the earliest opportunity to form that young lady’s acquaintance ; and indeed, I: begin to feel the want of a little change of air and tenrporary recreation, no matter how brief !” “‘I¢ is exceedingly kind of you, dear lady,” an- awered Christina, “to think of one m whom my brother is so much interested; and I am rejoiced that you are about to seek some hittle recreation. I will remain with Sagoonah during your ladyship's absence. Not fora single moment will I leave the chamber, nor abandon her to the sole care of the nurse.” “It is not eo necessary, my dear Chrmmtina,” re- plied the Queen, “to be as particular now ss we were wont to be in the first instance. There can be no doubt that Sagoonah’s reason is 271 tendant has epoken most positively; and I cannot but coneur with his opinion. Perhaps in one sense it is fortunate for her that she should have lost the memory of the misdeeds which she has committed ; though in another sense it may be un- uofortanate,—for if this state of mental torpor should doatiaue, she will have no opportunity to repent of her sins. But as I was observing, it is no longer needful, my dear Obristina, to watch so continuously over her. Provided you will every now and then visit the chamber during my ab. sence, it is sufficient. Indeed, I was thinking that if daring the two or three hours I may be away from the villa you would do me a little ser. vice =——"” “Anything, dear lady!” exclaimed Ohristina, who was always ready to testify her grateful de- votion to her at whose hands she had roceived #0 many benefite. “© I¢ is one of the little services,” continued the Queen, “ which Sagoonah herself was wont to per- form—I mean the arrangement of my jewel caskets. They require frequent supervision, and likewise to be touched by a delicate hand; so that it is to none of the domestics that I oan entrust the duty.” “It shall be performed to the best of my ability,” responded Christina: “and I hope ta your ladyship’s satisfaction.” This dialogue, as we have said, took place in Sagooneh’s chamber,—the Queen and her young friend being utterly unsuspicious that every syl- lable waa perfectly comprehended by the ayab. The nurse was absent at the moment: but she ily made her appearance; and while Indora took her departure in the carriage to pay the in- tended visit to Miss Vingent, Christina repaired to her Majesty’s boudoir to commence the task of inspecting and arranging the gems and jewols of inestimable price which belonged to her royal be- nefactress. Sagoonah now felt that her opportunity was at hand. There she lay, to all appearance in a pro~ found torpor,—the elderly nurse entertaining ne notion to the contrary. It has been said that there are certein reptiles which simulate death in order the more easily to secure their intended vicyjms; and thus was it that the treacherous Hindoo woman, like one of the most designing and deadly serpents of her own native clime, was affecting complete inanimation of the intellect, though all the while endowed with the fullest mental vitality. The elderly nurse busied hervelf in putting the ohamber in erder; and then, the clock proclaim the hour of midday, she knew it was the time to procure the refreshment which she was wont to administer to her patient. It was her custom to leave the room only when the Queen or Christina should be present: but on this ocecasion she happened to deviate from her role—and thus all the more eompletely favoured the projects of the ayah. Indora was absent—Christina was en- gaged~—Sagoonah seemed wrapped up in mental torpor: the nurse saw not the slightest barm in descending to the kitehen to procure what she re- quired. The ayah waited a few minutes to see whether anybody would come: but the auree sent no one to take her place temporarily—and Sa- gone—and it may be for ever! On this point the medieal at- | goomah was not long ere she avuiled herself of the (CO G OOO SS} (CO