The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 154: what you’re looking at

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en ae ed “But your mother, Edmund—and have sisters too———”’ “What of them?” he ejaculated. “One of my sisters is married to a French nobleman; and they are at Madrid. My mother and my eldest sister are at present staying in France—I don’t exactly know where. I was at Vienna. when they left England: but from letters that I received, there seems to have been some precious scene at the eastle im Lincolnshire, the rights of which I have not exactly learnt. However, it’s very certain that neither my mother nor sisters are in England now; and even if they were, it would not be of any con- sequence—for I know a secret or two about my mother that would prevent her from daring to interfere with my proceedings.” “You must understand, Edmund,” said the Baroness de Charlemont, “ that if I so often allude apprehensively to Lady Saxondale, it is because I should be sorry indeed to lead you into open rebel- lion against her. Not, however,” she added proudly, “but that the widow of a General of the Empire and a Peer of France may well aspire to an alliance with the heir of Saxondale. It is the discrepancy of our ages—and the suddenness of the attachment which you have formed—that might be regarded as objections. But after the assurances you have given me, that you are so entirely your own master, I will say nothing more upon the subject. There is however one thing I have to mention——and par- | you, Lord don me, my dear Edmund, if I touch upon so deli- cate a topic. I know that young men are often extravagant, and that they go beyond the allowed by their parents or guardians. If you any little liabilities to settle before you leave Paris, and for which you reckoned upon the purse of Lord Petersfield, do not hesitate to make me your banker. I have in this writing-desk a quantity of notes and | gold———You must not be offended at what I am I believe you ° 147 httle doubt that it was with regard to this lady his lordship meant to speak to him. But a second thought made him resolve to see his guardian, the better to avert suspicion from his plan of rising early and quitting the hotel by stealth. He accord- ingly proceeded to the apartment where Lord Petersfield had been passing the time in the study of certain diplomatic papers the contents of which he already had at his finger’s ends. “This is a pretty hour for you to come in, Lord Saxondale,” began Petersfield, drawing himself up with an air of awful solemnity as he slowly drew forth his watch. “It is one in the morning; and you know that we have to take our departure—I will not say to-morrow, because the morrow is alteady entered upon—or at least the morn- “ And so much the greater reason, my losd,” re- turned Edmund, “why you and I should toddle up to our bed-rooms.” “What?” eaid Lord Petersfield, perfectly aghast, “ did you use the word toddle 7—-toddle to me! her Majesty's Ambassador Hixtraordinary to the Impe- rial Court of Vienna !——toddle to me, a Peer of the realm { Pray, Lord Saxondale, do I look like a person who is accustomed to toddle? Don’t answer ipi time to reflect. I should not like to speak unadvisedly: but I do not mind for once in a way hasarding a conjecture—which is that ; Saxondale, are mebriated.” ‘I drank!” cried‘the young nobleman. “Iam as eober as a more sober in my lifa But come—why did you want to see me?” “It was fortunate, Lord Saxondale,” resumed Petersfield, “that on coming back from the ball, I had occasion to sit up and peruse some of these do- cumente—-—I say fortunate, inasmuch as it put me m the way of learning, on Mr. Sydney’s return, that you had positively and actually—though I should asying: inasmuch,” she added, again with blushing , not say so of-my own knowledge—but were it & cheeks, “as in a few days everything we mutually possess will be thrown imto a common. stock.” “Thanke—«e thousand thanks,” exclaimed Saxon- dale, “for this proof of confidence and love on your part: but fortunately I require no assistance —I have ample fands at my own disposal.” The Baroness de Charlemont, who had risen from her seat as sho spoke and was proceeding to unlock her writing-deek, turned towards Edmund, and said with the sweetest of all sweet smiles, “ You are sure that your calculation is correct and that you require nothing ?’’ “ Nothing now but another kies from those dear lips !’—and rising also from his seat, he threw his arms about the lady's neck and strained her once. more to his breast. written deposition, I should put it in this light, that ‘the undetsigned has learnt with great sorrow and regret that Lord Saxondale, contrary to all conven» tional usages——" ) “Pray, my lord, do come to the pomt at once,” interrupted Edmund. “Iam getting as sleepy as any owl. And you,” he edded, in an undér-tone, “are certamly as stupid as one.” “An owl, Edmund? an owl, Lord Saxondale? Did you say an owl ?”’—and Petersfield, who had caught the young noblemsn’s words, now looked positively awful. “Do you think that her Majesty's Government would send an ow! to transact its busi- ness? Don’t answer in a hurry—but tell me, hav- ing weighed the question well, whether I look an owl ?” “Most uncommonly!” ejaculated Edmund, m & in a street-vehicle to the hotel whgre he lodged ; and : thorough pet: and he fhung himself out of the during the half-hour’s drive thither he contmued to | room, leaving the door wide open: then rushing up dwell with rapture upon the image of the beautiful ‘ to his own chamber, he locked himself m with his Baroness de Chariemont. On reaching the hotel, he | valet. was about to hurry up to his own chamber,—when! ‘To this individual, in whom he knew that be his valet informed him that Lord Petersfield, who ‘could fully confide, he communicated his plan of had remained sitting up for his return, desired most leaving the hotel a little before seven o’clock,— perticularly to see him before he retired to rest. without however entering into much farther ex- Edmund, excited with wine, and infatusted in his planation. The domestic hastily began packing up purpose of adhering to all his promises to the his young master’s effects; and in less than half-an- Beroness de Charlemont, was at first half inclined hour these preparations were completed. The valet to disobey Lord Petersficld’s request: fer he had then retired to his @vn room; and Saxondale tel ee ET ee a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. a a a " Se ee ean on Gi Ua ena 7 oe: EEE 6 <> o- ee (COL (C DOO CS (COL