The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

154 THR MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. $$$ ee need not tell you by what means :”—and again she bent upon him a look of peculiar significancy. “No, no—it is not necessary,” he responded with nervous quickness: “and you need not fear that I shall be guilty of imprudence or indiscretion. For the counsel you have given me and the succour you are now lendmg me, my gratitade is your's. But have you nothing more to suggest? Your imagi- mation is of a fertility to which mme own cannot *‘T understand you,” interrupted Lady Gaxondale: “ it is not sufficient that I should place the in your hand: but I must also teach you how to use it.” “Yes,” rejoined Staunton: “for how can I in- troduce myself secretly and stealthily into my uncle’s house? how can I obtain access to his chamber ?” “And even at the last moment yeur courage might fail you,” observed Lady Saxondale. “Now, listen with attention once more. I happen to know —no matter how—that in the chapel at Saxondale Castle you may, if you choose, meot s certain person whom you will find s ready and willing instrument to serve your purpose. He is a man who for the eake of gold will hesitate at no crime which the human imagination can suggest, or of which human mature is capable. To him you may entrust the phial of which I have already told you how to pos- gees yourself ;—and rest assured that when he learns how he is to use it, he will neither hesitate nor quail. Give him not his reward until the work is done: but him five hundred for the accom- plishment of the deed—and he will afterwards leave so that you need not fear to be troubled by his importunities for the future.” “And who is this person that can render such valuable aid P’ inquired Lord Harold, who had lis- tened with trembling eagerness to the dark and terrible mstructions which had just been given him. “He answers to the name of Chiffin,” responded her ladyship. * Chiffin P” ejaculated Staunton, instantaneously struck with the name. “What! he of whom the newspapers sometime since spoke as the suspected murderer of a publican and his wife in a place called Agar Town? Ah! and now tnat I bethink me, my uncle mentioned this same mdividual to me as one whom you had employed——” “You need not say any more,” interrupted Lady Saxondale, with cold calmness: “I see that your uncle has been explicit enough in respect to my pro- ceadings. Yes—it is perfectly true that he and William Deveril—both hated names, I can assure you—vwould have perished a few weeks ago, had it not been for some accident the particulars of which I have not learnt, but which in some way or another frustrated Chiffin’s plan. But doubtless you are sufficiently acquainted with this individual’s charac- ter, to be well aware that he is a fitting instrument for your purpose.” * None could serve me better,” Harold. each other. What will gos seek at my hands if I succeed in making myself Marquis of Eagiedean ?” “Nothing,” replied Lady Saxondale. “Can you not comprehend that I have a bitter vengeance te wreak upon this uncle of yours—and that I shall be satisfied in thus accomplishing the end through you? As for thanks, I need them not. But one more word of advice will I proffer :—which is, that you call to your aid all possible circumspection and pru- dence, warinees and caution; for it is a bold stroke that you are playing, though one well worth the venture. Ah! and there is yet something else that I may do for you. Doub‘less your uncle has not been too munificent in the pecuniary means which he has placed at your disposal ?—and you will re- quire ample funds in the execution of your projecta. Permit me to be your banker: it is not the first time.” Thus speaking, Lady Saxondale drew forth her purse, and presented Lord Herold Staunton with two English Bank-notes for five hundred pounds each. “You said that you would accept no thanks, Harriet,” he observed, as he received the gift: “ but nevertheless do I proffer them. And now one word more. Where can I find you—or where can [ communicate with you-if the necessity should arise P”” “T know nob--I can name no address at t,” answered Lady Saxondale. “Juliana and myself have for the last few weeks been hi in retire- ment at some village fifty or sixty miles hence; but being recognized by English visitors, we re- solved on changing our quarters. We are now on our way to Germany. In a few months’ time perhaps, we may return to England: or at least I shall—and then it may be that I shall have to congratulate you on bearing the title and the setates of Eagledean. Our interview has been long enough. Farewell, Harold.” * Farewell, Harriet. What! not one embrace ?” “Give not way to a renewal of past She beckoned him in a peremptory manner to leave the apartment: and he didso. On the stairs, he was informed by the waiter that his dinner was served up; and he accordingly repsired to the room in which the table was spread. But he had little appetite for the viands with which the board was covered: all his thoughts and all his senses, 80 to speak, were engrossed in the project which the Sendish ingenuity of his evil genius bad put into his head. Indeed, so completely was he absorbed in the contemplation thereof, and in “A man who is already in fear of the law’s ven- | mother geance, and who perhaps awaits but the means for _ enabling him to leave the country, is the best instru- ment I could obtain. But now, before I express my | thanks for all this additional information you have given me,” continued Staunton, “let us understand an infatuated fool, let him remain so. [Jt is not fas me to take any trouble im the matter.” —__—_— rn a an (GO) ( 5 DOO CS (COL