The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 148: what you’re looking at

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a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. hypercriticism to cavil at that countenance as a whole, so far as its physical loveliness was con- cerned: but in respect to its expression, it was—nae | es. sar nee already hinted—eomewhat voluptuous, and appeal- ing as much to the sense as to the sentiment. A single white camelia adorned the hair of glossy glory and rich luxuriance: two rows of pearls en- circled the neck: but not fairer than that neck were those pearls, nor whiter than the teoth which em- bellished the lady’s luxurious mouth. The costliest lace trimmed the short sleeves, and set off to ad- vantage the plump and well-modelled arms of snowy whiteness. From beneath the long skirt of her spacious theatre, the well- shaped feet peeped forth; and a glimpse of the rounded ankles might be caught ;—while the ele- dress, as she entered the gance of her gait and of sll her movements de- noted that sweeping length of limb which the fancy could depict as completing this ravishing portraiture. Such was the lady who made her appearance in that brilliant assemblage at a somewhat late hour— indeed, long after the gaieties of the night had commenced. She came alone: no companion, either male or female, escorted her. Her age wae about four-and-twenty ; and thus, if she were a married woman, to meet friends at the ball whom she might immediately join, there would be but little to remark in the circumstance that she came by herself—unless indeed it would strike any one as singular that a creature of such eur- passing loveliness should have found no one in the form of relative or intimate friend to conduct her thither. Edmund Saxondale was so smitten with her appearance, that the moment she crossed the threshold and entered within the sphere of that assemblage whereof she suddenly seemed to become the brightest star, eclipsing all the rest,—he drew near to feast his eyes upon her charms. He noticed that for a moment she appeared to hesitate—that ahe even stopped short and threw a rapid glance of anxiety around: but this timidity, if such it were, was so transient that as she continued to advance, Edmund thought it might have been mere imagination on his part. At all events tho lady immediately recovered her self-possession; and an arr of dignity blending with that of elegance and grace which already invested her, she advanced towards a row of chairs in which several ladies were seated, but amongst which there were two or three unoccupied. In one of these vacant chairs the lady | eat down,—at the same time inclining her head towards some of the ladies nearest to her, and with whom she thus appeared to be acquainted. however, without acknowledging her salutation, etered at her in evident amazement; and two or three of them, who were nearest, rising suddenly from their seats, crossed over to the opposite aide of the place. This example was promptly followed by the remainder of the ladies in whose vi the resplendent new-comer had placed herself; and she was thus im a few minutes left isolated and com- pletely abanduned. The colour forsook her cheeks for a moment—she became deadly pale: but the ing to summon all her fortitude to her aid, ashe flung a look of sovereign contempt middle of that row of chairs, agitating across the theatre towards those who had left her | next mstant, 141 incidents which we have just related; and he was naturally astonished. He looked around, and per- cero tay the stranger lady was the object of uni- versal notice throughout the immense arens. Every eye was directed towards her; and the looke thus concentrated in that one brilliant focus, seemed to express a common feeling of intense surprise. He himself grew more and more bewildered: he could not comprehend what it all meant—for the life of him he could not understand it. That the lady was shunned, was but too evident: but for what reason? Would ahe have intruded there if she had foreseen what her reception would be? or was it e bold expe- riment on her part to ascertain how she would be received? Were the ladies all jealous of her tran- scending beauty? and was not this beauty « pass- port to the compassion of those of the other sex who were present? Such were the questions which Edmund rapidly put to himself: but the last one was answered by the circumstance that no gentle- man accosted that lady. The music struck up again—dancing recom- menced—and in the renewed excitement thereof, the lady appeared to be forgotten. Lord Saxondale did not dance this time; and he looked about for some acquamtance to whom he might put an in- quiry relative to the object of his curiosity. It how- ever happened that the few individuals who were personally known to him, were all engaged in the quadrilles which had just commenced ; and he could not accost them while thus occupied in the dance. He bethought himself of Lord Petersfield, whom he be- held at a distance, conversing with his wonted gravity in tho midst of @ knot of elderly personages. to approach his guardian, Edmund caught him by the arm so abruptly that the diplo- matist bent upon him a look which had all the sternness of a severe rebuke. “ Just one moment!” said the young nobleman, literally dragging the old one aside with him. “J want you to tell me something———" * Edmund———Lord Saxondale,” said Petersfield, stopping short and looking awfully mysterious and solemn ; “I do not understand thie—I am at a loss to nocount for it. Your conduct is so ex —catching me by the arm, as if——as if——I really know not how to find words to convey my “ My dear Lord Petersfield,” interrupted Edmund petulantly, “I want you to tell me something. Who is that lady? do you know her P” “ Really the question is so sudden—so unex- ” answered the wary diplomatist, ever afraid of being caught in some trap or tumbling into some insidious pitfall: “you must excuse me, Edmund— but——” “But who is that lady, my lord? do you happen to know her ?”’ demanded Saxondale impatiently. “ Which lady ?” asked Lord Petersfield. “Let me be convinced that I rightly understand whom you mean. Take time to point her out: for I should not like to have you speak in a hurry, more than myself to give a precipitate answer.” “That lady yonder—seated alone there, in the : her fan BP “Are you sure that it is a fan? Don’t be too thus alone ;—aend leaning beck, she played with her positive, Edmund: appearances are often deceit- fan with an air of the utmost unoconcern. Kdmund Saxondale had observed all these little Guia. Ge a= ee ' fa! —— “Do, my lerd, tell me, if you know!” interrupted ae — (COL (C DOO CS (COL