The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 329: what you’re looking at

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

THR MYSTERIES Crimes they could only think with ° a patrician dignity graced! And at one time this young man had served in a humble capacity the | very kinsman who bore that usarped title,—the | very kinsman who enjoyed the wealth that was now to be all Christian’s own! But, Ah! if there, were one reason more than another for which our other in mutual congratulations for the bounties which all in a moment seemed to be showering upon their heads. Then they exchanged solemn looks; and they shuddered simultancously, and Christian drew his sister closer to him, as they spoke in half-hushed and awe-inspired whispers of the wretched man whom they hed ere now seen kneeling, crushed and overwhelmed, at their feet: but again smiled as they exultingly exclaimed, “Thank | heaven, Lie innocence is made manifest !”’ And though neither at the moment mentioned the name, yet in the sympathy and unison of their hearts did they mutually comprehend to whom the allusion pointed—that benefactor whom they had known as Mr. Redcliffe, and whom they had sub- sequently learnt to be Lord Clandon or Bertram Vivian, and who was now the inmate of a felon’s gaol—but a gaol from which he would shortly be ; { And Oh! what a deep debt of grati- did the twins feel that they owed to that igh-minded, noble-hearted Queen who had toiled so laboriously, eo perseveringly, and so arducusly, bring all matters to that crisis which chould at the same instant afford the opportunity for proving a | learnt that they had an- | Queen communicated to them the OF THE COURT, “If be wish to see me,” said Christian, “I will go to him! If he be penitent—truly and sincerely they | penitent—I will not refase him my forgiveness, although he took my father’s life !” “And your ladysbip,” said the old steward, again addressing himself to Christina——“ will you accompany my lord your brother ?—for the dying man ioplores the pardon of you both [” “Yee—I will go,” replied our generons-hearted heroiue. Queen Indora glanced approvingly on the twins; and they issued from the room, followed by Purvis. They ascended the stairease: they paused for a moment af the door of the chamber in which ley the dying nobleman; and in the sympathetic unison of their hearts looks which were as mueh as to imply thet they both felt the necssuty of conquering all repugnances as much es possible, in order that they might smooth the pillow of the Bertram Vivian's innocence, and for proclaiming | dying penitent. thas they themselves were scions of the ducal Purvis gently opened the door; and the twins house of Marchmont, But on the other hand how | entered. By the couch knelt Levinia, her face immense was the compassion which Christian and isti for the unfortunate Lavinia ! —that lady whom they knew to be so innocent and eo amiable, and who had proved a ministering | resting upon her hands; and by her side knelt the village clergyman. The physician was standing close by the head of the bed, with a solemn ex- pression of countenance: for though ecoustomed angel to the husband at whose hands she had sas- | to look upon death-scenes, yet this one was at- tained so much wrong in so many different ways! The twins had been left alone together for nearly an hour ere Queen Indora returned to them as morning was advancing. Bat during that hour how mueb had they to think of—how much to talk of—what subjects of wonder and horror to con- template—what contrasts to draw between the past : and the present—what tears of sweetness and ead- | ness to shed in alternate showers! And now the Queen came back to them; and , Christina threw herself into the arms of that ; Sovereign lady who had never treated her as an inferior, but always as a friend: and Christian, taking her Majesty’a band, pressed it to his lips. They sa$ down to converse together; and the tended with circumstances cxtraordinarily calca- lated to strike the heart with awe. Bat the dying nobleman himeelf——Oh! what pen can describe the ghastliness of his countenance — the utter. misery of his looks? His hair which had only re- cently begun to turn grey, had actually grown many shades whiter during the last few bourse. Instead of bsving the appearance of a man in the prime of life, he looked as if at least sixty winters bad paceed over his head. Lavinia and the clergyman, upon hearing the door gently close, quitted their kneeling ; and tears gushed forth from the eyes uf both Christian and Christina on catching the firet glimpse of the countenance of her who hed COMME OOO SS} (CO