The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 221: what you’re looking at

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214 he he handed to Lady Saxondale. Hoe then retired. Her ladyship, instantaneously recognising the handwriting, hastened to tear it open; and when she had run her eyes over its contente, she threw a significant giance upon Adelaide, saying, “ Lord Harold Staunton has been here; and he gives me to understand that through = terrific error he was led to make certain revelations to you.” “‘ Now therefore your ladyship is acquainted with my the daughter-in-law. “ His lordship besought me not to compromise him with you; and I readily gave him to understand that I would not.” A servant now entered to announce that dinner was served; and the two ladies descended to the dining-room. Throughout the repast they main- tained the most studied courtesy towards each other,—so that the domestics who waited at table, were eurprised at this mutual friendliness of de- meanour: for they naturally wondered how Lady Saxondale, after having had her son locked up ina madhouse, could thus, by her bearing towards her daughter-in-law, appear to sanction the very mar- riage on account of which she had adopted so stringent a measure in respect to the bride- groom. Cauuyl CHAPTER CXXXAL PARTHER DISCUSSIONS. I? was nine o’clock—and Lord Harold Staunton knocked at the door of Saxondale House. He was at once admitted, and shown into a pseriour,— where in a few momente Lady Saxondale joined him. He advanced towards her with the air of a penitent,—while her demeanour was more con- ciliatory and friendly than he had expected to find it. “You have forgiven me, Harrict,” he said, hee hand, which was not withdrawn, “ for the frightfal manner in which I have compromised u P’ yee There is now no help for it,” she answered: “what is done, cannot be recalled: and I am of course well assured that you did not thus compro- mise me wilfully.” “Thank you, dear Harriet, for these words,” exclaimed Harold, his countenance brightening up. “No—I eould not have done auch a thing wil- fully. I was half mad with excitemont, produced by various causes, when I came to the house. I asked for Lady Saxondale—and was shown up into the drawing-room: the dusk was closing in—I beheld a female form seated on the sofa—it ap- peared to be of your stature and shape; and not for an instant did the idea strike me, that it could be any other but you. I said all kinds of things —I made every sort .of revelation———But atay ! I recollect now, thank heaven, there was one in- cident at which I merely glanced; I did not spe- cifleally mention it—and Edmand’s wife could not pousibly understand the circumstance thus alluded to.” “So much the better,” observed Lady Saxon- dale: then, after a few instants’ pause, she added, “And yet I am already so deeply compromised with this woman, it would make but little difference THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. if she were acquainted with that circumstance also, You enjoined her, Harold, not to betray you to me es the author of all SS ee ae how was it, therefore, ou sent me note confessing what you had done ®” “ Because, on second thoughts,” replied Staunton, “ it seemed to me better that you should know the .| whole truth. I fancied that you would ef all events be lees —you would be relieved from un- certainty as to the source whence she obtained her information: and moreover, I felt it was so abso- lutely necessary that I should see you——” “ Well, I understend,” interrupted Ledy Saxon- dale. “And now tell me wherefore you are so anxious to see me? and what proposal it is you have to make, and to which you allude in your letter P” “Then Edmund’s wife has not told you every- thing which occurred between us ?—or rather,” added Staunton, “ she has not detailed in full every- thing that I said ?” “She merely glanced, though pointedly ev enough at certain incidents,” answered Lady Saxo “But tell me first of all, Harold ys your uncle exceedingly bitter against me? will be still seek to persecute me? can [ remain in England in safety, think you?—for as you may but too easily conjecture, I have my reasons now for staying in London—at least for the present.” “The proposition, dear Harriet, which I have to make,” answered Staunton, “will, if accepted, have the effect of insuring your complete safety. Yes—I am certain of it! My uncle does not scek to injure me, though as a matter of course he will cast me off ontirely if you become my wife: for that is the proposal I had to proffer.” “T as much,” answered Lady Saxon- dale: “I understand your position exactly—-and can comprehend the calculations which you have “And are you offended ?”’ inquired Harold, not knowing what to think of her ladyship’s tone end demeanour: for both were exceedingly calm and deliberate. They were ecated together upon s sofa: he passed his arm around her waist, as he spoke ;— he drew her gently towards him—she did not resist—ehe did not manifest annoyance: he em- braced her——and sho suffered his caresses. “You are gloriously handsome, dear Harriet,” he said, “and I feel that I love you! Yes—I do really love you!” “And you, Harold, are not entirely indiffesent to me,” she responded. “After a widowhood of nineteen years—a widowhood that was unstained by one single act of {railty—I abandoned myself to you. All my long pent-up passions then burst forth anew; and I wondered that I could for so long a period have retained my chastity. Now I crave you, Harold—dear Harold; and I accept you as my husband. But you know that I am lost to society—that I am as much an outcast as that vile being who has ensnared Edmund——” “No matter, Harriet,” interrupted Staunton: “we can doubtless manage to mako ourselves happy -. Besides, we have a fearful identity of interests in many respects: and perhaps,” he added significantly, “there is more which we have yet to do.” “ Yeo—there is sre,” rejoined Lady Saxondale, i ee ee (COL (C DOO CS (COL