The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 165: what you’re looking at

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

158 THE WMYSTERIZS OF THE COURT. “ Ah, wall” observed Edmund, seeing that his | appearance ;—and Sexondale éid not choose to keap valet was but little wiser than himself in the matter: | the Baroness waiting while he instituted inquiries “her ladyship will of course confide to me all her after his servant. He accordingly followed the grievances—and it will be my duty as well as plea- | waiter who was in readinces t escort him to the sure to console them. Nevertheless, you might go | sitting-room occupied by Madame de Charlemont; to the hotel presently to pay s friendly visit to the and in a few momenta be was in that Indy’s presenee. maid, and just try to draw her out a bit. Not, you | The waiter retired: they were now alone know, that I have any curiosity im the affair: for I ,—and immediately forgetting all his to learn have every assurance that her ladyship is as virtuous | the particular secret above referred to, Edmund has- and as good as she is beautiful and accomplished. _ tened to fold his Adelaide in his arms. But still, if you could find out what her troubles; Warm and fervid was the embrace; and when he have been, it would be more easy for me to admi- had leisure to gaze upon her, he thought that she nister the proper consolation. And therefore, all appeared more handsome than he had yet things considered, you can do thie —and remain at ‘geen her. She was elegantly dressed, in an apparel the hotel till I call. Now, between you and me, I, which though not actually a wedding costume, was am going to get a special license ; and the marriage nevertheless sufficiently appropriate for a nuptial shall take place to-day——” ‘ceremony of a private character, and for which no “To-day, my lord?” exclaimed the valet, startled elaborate preparations had been made. Indeed, her somewhat out of his wonted composure by the an- toilet was not merely elegant, but was also charac- nouncement of this precipitation: but instan- terized by the most graceful simplicity; and it set taneously recovering himself, he observed, “Of off her charms to the fullest advantage. The fiutter course, my lord—it is quite natural—and in your | of her heart had heightened the colour upon her lordship’s position, there is no need to wait.” , Cheeks: there was 1 tenderness in the eyes, “To be sure not—no need at all. I am my own ' which made her look sweetly bewitching; and master—or at least I mean to show my Sexondale again experienced all the empire of her that I am; and therefore it is not likely I shall enchanting loveliness. She had received his note— postpone the consummation of my happiness. By she consented to the ts therein the bye, about the are indis- | —the believed his tale that the attorneys had caught pensable I suppose? and some one to give the bride | an inkling of what was going on—and she was in away too—eh ?” | the dutter of suspense lest aught should occur to “Not absolutely my lord,” sug- ' interrupt the ceremony. But he had the special gested the valet. “At Bt. George's, Hanover Loonso in his pocket—-the clergyman hed’ been Square, the clerk is accustomed to give the bride spoken to—and he assured her that when they away; and bridemaids are not needed, unless one reached the church, everything would be in readi- likes. If it were otherwise, a great many mar- ness. riages that are hurried, would not take place at | Another embrace—and he conducted her down all.” | stairs,—her maid, who was likewise well and taste- “ True,” observed Saxondale. “It would entail a great deal of bother and trouble upon me to go ferreting out a couple of bridemaids: and they are not, as you say, of the slightest use. So I will just pen a note to the Baroness to tell her that for fully dressed, accompanying them. did Saxondale— the mission he had entrusted to his valet—look around for this individual: but he was not to be seen. For a moment he felt an- ‘ noyed—and was even inclined to tarry and make eeveral reasons the ceremony must take place as imquiries after the man: but as he lingered for an privately as possible——I will asy that Marlow and instant, the Baroness threw upon him a look replete Malton, the lawyers, have got scent of it——and ' with so much indescribable tenderness—and she I will request her to be in readiness by twelve seemed so miraculously beautiful as she thus bent o'clock. I can get the license, and go and sce - her regards upon him—that all his thoughts became the parson, and everything in the meantime. Be- once more suddenly engrossed by her; and he has- sides, if I send you with this note, it will be an ex- tened to assist her into the carriage. cuse for you to call at the hotel; and can In ten minutes the equipage rolled up to the door into conversation with the maid. Don’t forget that of St. George’s Church, Hanover Square. Edmund part of the business.” assisted the Baroness to alight,—and conducted her “ No, my lord,” answered the valet. into that fashionable matrimonial temple, — the Edmund then sat down, and wrote a brief but maid following at a short distance. The clergyman tender billet to the Baroness,—immediately de- | and the clerk were punctual in attendance: and with- spatching it by his valet to the hotel. | out delay did the ceremony commence. No doubt We need not linger in detail upon this portion of ' the Baroness dreaded lest Edmund’s guardians our narrative. Let us therefore hasten to state that | should suddenly make their appearance: for the it was about half-past eleven o’clock when Lord 8axon- | colour went and came in frequent transitions upon dale alighted from his private carri rather his | her countenance—and as the bridegroom knelt by mother’e—at the door of the hotel just alluded to; | her side, he could perceive by the undulating move- and he was somewhat disappointed at not finding | ments of her dress, that her bosom was heaving and his valet in readiness to receive him. He certainly | falling with quick palpitations. He however had wished to exchange a few words with the domestic, | no fear of the kind: for he felt well assured that | andl ascertain wast particular circumstance i was Marlow and Malton could know nothing of what to which such mysterious allusion had been made, ' was going on—and Petersfield, even if he had and which he had no doubt was the one special already arrived in London, would not have the secret he had so much longed to fathom. But the slightest idea where to look for them at that part- valet was not there, at least he did not make his cular moment. And the ceremony did procucd ———SES ee j (COL (C DOO CS (COL