The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 327: what you’re looking at

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816 not be left in the enjoyment of it. To-morrow, before you are restored to freedom, mast you be- queath nine-tenths of your ill-gotten riches to the charitable institutions of the British metropolis; and on this condition only shall you be liberated. If you refuse, the law shall take cognizance of your crimes—the penalty of which will be trans- portation to a distant settlement!” Madame Angelique began to weep, moan, end lament: but Queen Indora remained unmoved by the vile woman’s grief. “You, Mr. Stanhupe—and you, Mrs. Oxenden,” | cognizan resumed her Majesty, “have sufficient reasons to maintain a profoand in r to the transactions of this night. As for that man there” —thus alluding to the Burker—“ care will be taken that he eball have no opportunity of reveal- ing in this country whatsoever he may have seen or heard within these walls, I know,” continued Indora, now again fixing her eyes on Madame An- gelique, “that in passing sentence upon you, I have usurped an authority derived only from the law of morality and not from the law of this country’s code: but you will not dare to pro- claim to the world this incident of the night's trensactions. And with regard to ali the rest, you will for your own sake observe a similar secrecy : for remember that though you may cease to be my prisoner, you will not cease to be amenable to the Jaw for your past crimes!” Having thus spoken, Qusen Indora descended from the throne, and issued from the apartment. Immediately afterwards Purvis, accompanied by several domestics of the household, entered that room. The two Hindoo guards conducted the Burker to e subterranean place, in which he had been confined ever since he became a captive at Oaklands: the domestics led off Mrs. Oxenden, Madame Angelique, and Wilson Stanhope to the chambers which they respectively occupied: but mo such surveillance wae necessary in regard to Amy Sutton. The Queen, on leaving the tribunal, to that room where the usurper Duke of March- mont had been confronted with Travers—or Army- tage, as we had better continue to call him, inas.- much as he preserved his assumed denominsatiun. On the entrance of Indora, Armytage rose from his eeat, and made a profound obeisance. “Every promise which has been held out to you said her Majesty, “ shall be faithfully kept. wretched criminal whose gold succeeded in bribing you to silence in respect to his guilt, has confessed bis enormons crime. But you have now to learn that there was lawful issue from the mar- riage of the late Duke and Duchess; and that amiable brother and sister whom you have eo often seen at your daughter's house, are the twin off- spring of that marriage.” Nothing could exceed the astonishment of Armytage on hearing this intelligence ; and when the fret sense of wonderment was paseed, he clasped his hands, , “Oh! how will they ‘ever forgive me for having kept a secret the reve- Jation of which might long ago have given them their rights P*’ “No,” answered the Queen: “ that revelation ‘woald merely have proved the usurping Duke's guilt and the innocence of Bertram Vivian. But avt until very Intely wae it known that Christian THD MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. and Christina Ashton were the offepriag of the ducal house of Marchmont. On them, therefore, your long- maintained silence in respect to the real murderer's crime has wrought no injury. It is the pardon of Bertram Vivian which you have to ask ; and that forgiveness will be acoorded. The resalts of my plensa have been such that a complete expo- sare of all the detaile of the past will be avoided ; and your name need not be mentioned in a manzer to make your amiable daughter blush for it. She need never know that you have for years been t of the great guilt of him who has this night been led to confess everything. And if so much care has been taken in respect to your repa- tation, it is not for your own sake—but it is for the sake of your amiable Zoe, whom Christine loves so well! To-morrow you will be restored te freedom ; and may the rest of your life be paseed in a manner to be contemplated with satisfaction. You go forth into the world again ag a man freed from debt-I may say as a rich man. “Yoer daughter's fortune, which you had squandered, is replaced : you will not have to blush nor lament when you again meet her. It will be your ows fault if you do not henceforth live in com’‘ort and prosperity; and should yoa by renewed epeoula- tions reduce yourself to distress, you mast not hope that a helping hand will again be stretched out to eave you.” _ Armytage fell at the Queen’s feet, pouring forth his gratitade for her kindness, and vehemently pro- that his experiences of speculation had been far too bitter not to afford a lesson that he would never f Indora issued from that room ; and on the land- ing she met Mr. Coleman, the solicitor, who was just descending the stairease leading to the fleor above. He held in his hand a folded document; and presenting it to the Queen, he said, “ Madaa, I have the pleasure of placing in your hands this complete confession of the dying criminal.” Indora took the paper; and opening it, she glanced at the signature, which was treaaleusly written. The names of Mr. Coleman, a physicies, and of Purvis, the steward, were appended as those of the witnesses. That document was the proof of Bertram Vivian’s innocence. The Queon’a aim was now accomplished ; the hope which had long inspired her was failed : the object for whieb she had toiled, wae achieved! The was re- moved frem the name of him whom she had so long and eo devotedly loved! She had been eus- tained by a wondrous courage throughout all the manifold proceedings which had been leading te this result: but now that { was accomplished a sudden reaction took place withiu her—the joy of success was almost more than she could endure— she against the wall for eapport—she felt as if she were about to faint. Mr. Coleman hastened to procure a giase of water; and when the Queen had partaken of the refreshing beverage, | she was revived. Ste entered an adjacent apartment, attended by Mr. Coleman; and she eaid to bim, “Is it, then, as we conjectured?—bes the shuok been (we macoh———” “It fs so, your Majesty,” answered the sulici- tor. “The physician declares that the unhappy man cannot survive many boars.” “And his wife—the uniortunate Lavinia—ebe COMME OOO SS} (CO