The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 321: what you’re looking at

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

aE ag © onli ie eee SD Gee aE a —_ 310 Tara THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. there—his own pensioned uistress-~ was indeed another blow that struck upon the heart of the Duke of Marehmont more severely than the two preceding ones dealt through the mediam of Amy Satton and Wilson Stanhope. “ But if that testimony be not sufficient,” oon- tinued Queen Indora, after a pause of more than a minute, “ there is one here present who can give ampler evidence. Thet man has confessed every- thing; and if it be needful, the world may know how you, prisoner, suborned him to deal the as- sassin-biow which, though intended for myself, nevertheless smote the bosom of the unfortunate He can tell likewise how you visited him in his dangeon-cell, when he was a captive in the hands of jastiee—and how you farnished him the meane of effecting his escape.” The Barker, who was seated next to Mrs. Oxenden, gave a sort of low subdued growl as he removed the mask and sevealed his hideous coun- tenanee to the Duke. The nobleman had already réevegnised him—but bad scarcely fancied that be could have told so much; and therefore it was in- deed another and severer blow which thus struck the guilty Marchmont. “And now,” continued Queen Indora, “ fer the last of theee witnesses who in this place”—and she emphasised the word printed in italie—“ may be specified as one who esa bear fearful evidence you. In more than one instance has sho been the agent and accomplices of your iniquities. It was by her insidious representations that my unfortunate dependant Segoensh, whe is now no more, was led to meditate murder in respect to myself. Yea, you see that your crimes in all their details and phases are well known to me! That woman—the only one who now re- mains :ciled—has borne testimony against you, as the rest bave already borne it. But she has spoke of things relating to which these others who are present have not been enebled to speak. Do you remember that one evening you by appointment met this man”—and the Queen pointed towards ‘the Burker—“ in a lane near a certain villa on Brixton Hill? Do you remember likewise that angry words took place between yourself and that man—that be demanded more of you than you chose to give—that you drew forth your purse to bestow upon him a portion of ite contente—bat that he, being resolved to possess himself of the whole, felled you from your boree? You ese that he at least has melnteained no reserve in respect to anything thet concerns you! Nor has thet woman. Do you recollect, prisoner, I will proceed to ask, that you were borne to the villa unto which I have already alluded, end that for some while you re- mained there insensible ? Yee—you recollect all thie Bat you have yet to learn, prisoner, that in the first moments of your reviving conssiousnese you suffered words to escape your lips—or rather they involuntarily flowed from the very fountains of your troubled conscience; and those words, pri- soner, wore heard by Madame Angelique, who was in attendance upon you. Fearfal indeed were those words—and to a fearfal erime they pointed! If you doubt me, ack that witness berself ! She will teil the tru Thus speaking, Queen Indora made a sign for ' ¢he woman whom she indicated to throw back her arts! ready more than suspected who she was; and therefore he wae not surprised when he beheld the countenance of Madame Angelique. But if he were not surprised, he was nevertheless stricken another blow; and this was far the severest of all: for Queen Indora’s language had pointed towards that other crime which was the most terrible of the many that blackened his conscience, as it was the one likewise concerning which be had hoped that there would be the greatest difficulty in putting forward any eubstential proof. He now appeared to be utterly unmanned: the bold hardi- hood that he had assumed, forsook him: every remnent of the air of defiance adopted at the out- set vanished away; and he was on the very point of sinking on his knees and imploring merey. But again did a thought strike him: again did the very ion of his circumstances nerve him with « preternatural courage. Therefore, quick ae lightuing, was the bold effrontery assumed again; end the air of defiance was adopted. It was etill aeck-opnothing with this man who felt that he efoed upon « mine, for the explosion of which there were a thousand chances againat only one that he might possibly escape “ Quesn Indore,” be enid, now breaking silénoe for the fret time, and endeavouring to throw a tineture of scorn into his accents, “ you have marshalled egainst me an array of witnesses which constitute a goodly company to sit by the side of your Majesty. Commencing on the right hand, there is a notorious debauchee—en unprincipled profligate, whose relations have long cast him off, end whom society has repudiated—a man who, even escording to your own account, has ever been willing to sell himeelf for gold. You are rich, Queen Indora—the wealth of the wealthiest por- tion of the Indies is at your disposal—end perhaps therefore you have well paid that man for his pre- sent services; and in proportion to the reward given him ia his seal to bear falee testimony against me.” “If ever I told the trath in my life, my Lord Dake of Marchmont,” exclaimed Wilson Staa- hope, “it ehall be told against you now, if her Mujesty coramand me to speak ont !” “Let us hear ts prisoner to the end,” said Queen Indora, in the cold firm voice of antho- rity. “ext to your Majesty,” continued the Dake of Marehmont, “ette a female who admite that she bes lost her virtue, and that she has no claim to renk amongst the mocest of her sex. It is easy for one who has been a willing paramour, to turn round apos him whom in the world’s canting lan- guage she ealls her seducer; and disappointed be- eaure I have not lavished gold upon her and established her in a palatial mansion as my acknowledged wistress, she is ready in her vindioc- tive spirit to hesp false calumnies upon wy head.” “ Villain that you are!” exclaimed Amy Satton, her cheeks flushing with h rage and indignation, and her eyes Gashing fire; “you know that I rejected your overtures with scorn and contempt—and that you triumphed over me by the basest of satanic Bat heaven be thanked, the day of your doom is arrived—aend I am present to witness your downfall !”” “Let the prisoner proceed,” said Queen Indora, | ERATE ET WO POE Do ae owe abe, exer o nee = _ weil: but the guilty Duke of Marchmont had al- Qtnggnes nse geypeee —o-e-o= 2. enup=:o * EES GP e-O eee eee Oe & eee woe ee we Oe se Se : ! CONMICOOOKS »5GO)