The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

a aaa fHE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ——— the catablishment: and the sounds of its wheels as well as the cracking of the postilions’ whips scon ceased to meet his cars. It was now past four o'clock; and Staunton did not dine till six. Time hung somewhat heavily on his hands ; and he accordingly lighted another cigar, with the intention of strolling through the town to while away an hour or so. But just as he was issuing forth from the gateway of the hotel, a post- chaise drove up aid began to turn into the court- lingered with the idle curiosity of a young man to catch a glimpee of their countenances,—when to his he at once recognised Lady Saxondale and Juliana. They did not observe him; and imme- diately alighting from the carriage, they entered the hotel, where they were shown to private apartments, as they intended to rest and dine ere they pursued their journey. Lord Harold’s first impulse was to continue’ his walk the town: but scarcely was he moving away from the hotel, when an irresistible feeling made him turn back; and the thought arose within him that he should like to have an interview with Lady Sexondale. It was one of those mysterious inclinations which sometimes seize upon human beings, and for which they can scarcely account. We should observe that when first esparated by his uncle from Lady Saxondale, he had rejoiced that he had not indissolubdly linked his destiny with her's. Deep in his soul was the conviction that she had made him something which he was not before the intimacy of his connexion with her commenced; and there- fore, when removed from the sphere of her dassling charms, he had felt that he was happily rescued from the power of a Circe capable of practising the most dreadful spells. Thus, when he had ere now muttered to himself, in the court-yard of the hotel, that if he encountered Lady Saxondale again there was no fear of his wishing to marry her, he had really thought what he had thus expressed. Nor indeed were his sentiments now changed, or even impaired, in respect to that sversion to a matrimo- nial connexion with her ladyship,—inasmuch as her tion was ruined in the world on account of all that had occurred at Saxondale Castle; and it was by no means likely that Harold Staunton would take such a woman 9s his wife. But on the other hand the impression of her voluptuous beauty was powerfully resuscitated in his mind; and it was per- haps for this reason that he longed for another in- terview with her. He lingered therefore hesitatingly at the gate of the hotel. Yes—he hesitated: for a sudden fear had arisen in his mind. What if he were watched by any spy or emissary of Ins uncle? —that uncle on whom he was so perfectly de- pendent! But no: it could scarcely be that his actions were thus espied. He was travelling unat- tended: there was no bribable valet to keep him under surveillance: he had not noticed during his sojourn of a few weeks on the Continent, that he had been followed by any individual: nothing sus- picious had occurred to warrant such a belief ;—and thus, after a httle consideration, he came to the con- elusion that the fear he had expressed to Lord Sax- ondale in to such an espionnage, was unfounded. “Besides, when a person is more than half resolved to pursue some particular course, his imegination will suggest a dezen arguments ‘for oUELE TERE TIER REE TE FAYE PULTE EL eT PEUPUeed beep PLATTE 161 - =v Se 2 =o s | adopting it in apposition to every single one against it, and will likewise conjure up an abundance of Teasoning to triumph over all apprehension. In a word, therefore, Lord Harold Staunton came to the conclusion to seek an interview with Lady Saxon- dale. Passing into the hotel, he gave his card to the wajter,—bidding him take it up to the elder of the two ladies who had just arrived in the post-chaise. A few minutes afterwards the waiter re-appearet, with an intimation that Lady Saxondale would have great pleasure in sesing Lord Harold Staunton. The young nobleman was accordingly conducted up to a sitting apartment, where her ladyship awaited him. She was alone: for Juliana, om hearing from her mother that Lord Harold was at the hotel, had declined to see him. She was ashamed, after the terrific exposure at Saxondale Castle, to meet any one who was a witness of that painful scene, and who was consequently acquainted with her flagrant shame. Thus while she remained in a bed-chamber, arranging her toilet, which was disordered by many Staunton. Her ladyship was standing when Harold entered the room; and he, advancing towards her, was pre- pared tp display an equivalent amount of to that which he himself might receive. But Lady Baxondale was coid and distant: she did not proffer by the fact of receiving him stand- him from the awkwardnees of the position in which he had thus placed himself. “I presume you have a motive in: seeking an interview,” answered her ladyship coldly; “and I therefore beg that you will at once reveal it.” “YT should have thought that after ev which has taken place between us,” replied Harold, “and which consists of ties even more binding than those of s mere passing amour,—two indi- viduals thus situated might have something to ay to each other. For my own part, I must candidly confess that I had‘ no special object in view: but with equal truth may I aver that I was impelled to seek this interview by some power that was irresistib “Of what use is it for us to talk of the past,” inquired Lady Saxondale bitterly, “inasmuch as nothing that has been done’can be recalled? But if there be aught that may be done for the future, and concerning which you would seek my counsel, mysterious significancy in Lady Saxondale’s words and looks towards the latter part of her speech, that at once convinced Harold she had something in her mind; and his evil genius prompted him to ascertain what it was. “ T know not,” he said, “that I have any counsel toask: but it is possble—and ipdeed I think is | (COL (C DOO CS (COL