The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 151: what you’re looking at

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144 no longer call them wino—are devoured with jeal- ousy because rature has happened to render me not very ill-looking. As for the gentlemen, both mar- ried and single have persccuted me with their addresses—the former, as a matter of course, being anything but honourable: for such is too often the custom in this dissipated city of Paris. It is sup- posed that a young widow must either take another husband, or else a lover: I have had offers of both icinde—I have refused them all—the former with a respectful gratitude, the latter with indignation. | even But my conduct has made me enemies; and the result has been tho treatment which, as you saw, I experienced to-night. Now my resolve is taken: I ehall leave Paris to-morrow—and for ever !”’ “ But whither will you go?” inquired Saxondale, who in his infatuation gave the most implicit cre- denco to every syllable of the Baroness de Charle- mont’s long speech ; and no wonder—for it was with so much tender pathos, alike of looks and accents, that it rivetted the i which the brilliancy of ber beauty had already made upon his heart. “Whither will you go?’ he re- peated, in a voico which implied that wheresoever she might proceed, thither was he resolved to repair “T shall return to the capital of my own native land,” she answered: “I shall go to London. If I had any relatives yet living, either on my own or my husband’s side, I should not be without the escort of suitable companionship: but I have none —and I must go alone !”’ “ No—not alone!” ejaculated Edmund. Per. mit me to be that escort which you seem to de- siro P”’ The Baroness bent upon Saxondale a look beam- ing with gratitude: but ere she could give any reply, the footman entered to announce that sup- per was served up. Edmund proffered his arm: she took it—end they followed the domestic to an adjacent apartment. It was a smaller one than the drawing-room—most luxuriously furnished— and where an exquisite supper was spread upon the table. There was champagne in ice, together with other choice wines; and an the sideboard ap- peared a dessert of delicious autumnal fruits. Tho Baroness motioned the domestic to retire—a pro- eceding quite consistent with the fashion of little Parisian suppers of this description. Lord Saxondale placed himself at table with his beautiful hostess; and ae he drank giass after giass i make any saerifice, if necd were, to did a creature either as mistress or wife: he was already profoundly in love—if love it might be called which such a heart as his could i and which was excited through the medium of the ecnso and not of the sentiment. It never occurred to him that he himself, being 20 Adonis Gould cot « And you have decided,” he said, “upon taking your departure to-morrow ?”’ “'Yee—hbeyond all doubt,” responded the Ba roness. “I can endure this Paris no longer.” “ And you will permit me to accompany you” ho quickly exclaimed. “Have you no one whose consent you must ask ?”’ she inquired. “Is not Lord Petersfield your guardian? and must you not, in consequence of the post you hold in his embassy, abide by his will, even apart from that species of parental power which he wields over you ?”’ “Nothing of the kind!” ejaculated Edmand: “it was by my own free consent that I accompanied direct from myself. Asfor his guardianship, I am fully and completely my. own master, in conse- quence of a certain compact with my mother." “Your mother, then,” observed the Baroness, as if quite in a conversational manner, “has no in- fluence over your proceedings ?” “ None—none whateocever! I should think not indeed !” cried Edmund: and he helped himeelf to another giass of champagne. “ But you are not yet of age?” “ No—not yet. Nevertheless I can do just as I choose: and what is more, I intend to do so. 80 your ladyship sees that I am completely my own master: and how can I better dispose of my time, than in you to London? You must not travel alone. Only think of the meonveniences !—~ and believe me when I assure you that it would afford me such pleasure to be your escort——-" “ But how singular it will secm!” exclaimed the Beroness, with an arch smile. “A young nobdie- man such as you, to accompany a young widow es I am! The world will point to us—the tongue of scandal will be busy-——No, my lord,” she added, suddenly ing serious; “it cannot be. Do not misunderstand me. It was through gratitade thag I invited you to my home: and moreover, the usages of Parisian society do not stamp with indis- cretion such a proceeding. <A married lady or a widow may entertain a friend thus; and it ts as a friend that I regard you—for circumstances sucd- denly placed us in that light--—at least, if you will permit me to say £0.” “A friend!’ exclaimed Saxondale. “ Would to « But the only ane that can be used by persons who have known each other for only a few houra. Now, with regard to this journey of une,” con- tinued the “your lordship must under- stand full well that you could accompany me only in the position of alover—to bo explicit, I must rather gay as a paramour—or else as one destined to be my husband. Not for a moment can the former be dreamt of! I value my reputation—and I have my own womanly pride. No—never will I peril that reputation by any indiscretion on my part: much possibly have captivated the heart of this lady so | less could I consent to step down from the pedestal suddenly and completely as ashe had ensnared his! on which I have hitherto maintained my stand. own: his natural vanity would not permit him to No, my lord—you cannot accompany me: you sce make such a reflection; and therefore he flattered | that it is i himself that the mMoreasing tenderness of her looks and the “Say not the word tapossibie ?’ exclaimed Saxca friendliness of her manner, were ' dale, more than half intoxicated with wine and love: indicative of the same passion on her part as that | then falling at the feet of the Baronces de Charlie. whieh he folt. mont, he took her hand; and pressing it to his lipa, eS es a soe CO IMULUG CY DOO CS (COL