The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 222: what you’re looking at

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

Er eighee a ed OED See SE © ® HOS - OSD 69Sst veces e282 ss TRE MYSTERIES OF THB COURT. with a look full of equal meaning. “I know, for | Marlow’s sister ; and therefore the circumstance of instance, that you have not abandoned that pro- ject which has failed-——” 215 throwing a good thing in Burdett’s way, was @ further inducement with the lawyers to take this “No: and guided by your counsel—assisted by step. You are now acquainted with all those par- you, Harriet—I will accomplish the aim. you spoke as if gow also had something to be done? Is it in reference to this woman--this Baroness de Charlemont who has managed to steal and pilfer the title and name of Lady Saxon- dale——” “No—it is not to that wretch I alluded,” re- sponded her Iadyship. “I shall be enabled to manage her by myself. I understand her cha- racter and disposition well—I comprehend her But | ticulars; and it is your turn, Harold, to give me certain explanations. By the bye, I should ob- serve that when on the Continent, I received a let- ter from Lucilla—niy maid, you know, who re- mained behind at Saxondale House,—telling me that you and ‘some dreadful man’ (those were her words) had burat into my chamber there while she occupied it.” “ Ah!” ejaculated Harold : “ then she recognised my voice? I all along had a misgiving to that thoroughly—and I have little doubt that we shall | effect. Perhaps it is fortunate that the recent come to terms.” “ But Edmund ?” “He shall remain where he is. He is better. out of the way, for many reasons.” | “ And Juliana~-what has become of her ?”’ “She remains upon the Continent: she hed. mot the face to come to England in her present condition. She even wondcred,” continucd Lady Saxondale, “that I myself could venture back to the British metropolis, where my name has become a scandal with all those who were once my acguaintances and friends. For perhaps you, know that your uncle forced me to sign a paper plot in respect to my uncle should have failed as it did: for had he been made away with, that cir custance to which Lucilla could testify, might have afforded the first link of a chain which, if followed up, would have brought the deed home to me. Next time, Harriet, such precautions shall be taken, under your able guidance, as to ensure - success," “ And now, Harold,” said Lady Saxondale, “the explanations I wish you to give——” “TI understand. You mean the way in which the plot failed? From what transpired, it is evi- dent that Chiffin was led to confess everything.” confessing thet it was I who made overtures to| Harold then proceeded to relate those parti- that sanctimonious hypocrite, William Deveril; and this paper has been shown to every one who had heard my version of the tale ae I originally gave it. But the intelligence of Edmund's mar- riage came upon me like a thunder-clap; and I was resolved, at all risks and at all hazards, to return to England and take certain steps. I only havo ' arrived the night before last: and as you ocen, my measures were promptly adopted. I took up my quarters in « private manner at an | hotel: I went and saw Petersfield first—Marlow and Malton afterwards.” | eulars in respect to the’ meeting with his uncle, which are already known to the reader; and he concluded by stating that Chiffin had been sent away to some foreign clime,—a piece of intelligence which Lady Saxondale was well pleased to hear: for whatever fresh deeds of iniquity she might con- template, she had no thought of entrusting them to that man, who already knew too much concern- ing her. “ Now, Harold,” she said, “I must tell you what there is to be done on my side. It must be accompliahed by you—and when thus accomplished, “ How did they receive you’ inquired Harold. our marriage shall immediately take place.” " Petersfield, with his nonsensical diplomatic airs | “ Speak, Harriet,” responded the young noblie- and his stupid pomposity, was inclined to read mé man; “we are bound to render each other mutual & lecture on the levity of my own conduct. I suf- fered him to have his say, and expressed my con- trition. He was so gratified by my demeanour of assumed humbieness--he thought that his own eloquence had prodaced such an effect—that he became quite friendly and kind. I therefore had. little difficulty in bringing him round to my pur. posses; and as he himself observed first of all that Edmund must be mad to contract such a marriage, I gave him the credit of making the discovery of this madness—at which his eonceit and vanity were etill more highly gratified than before. So at last he consented the etep should be taken to put Kdmand under restraint. With Marlow and Mal- ton it was a ctill easier game to play: they are bawyers, and look after the money-matters of the Saxondale ip, troubling themeelves but Bittle about ite snorals. Besides, they like making money for themacives; and the more busimess they can create out of the the are accustomed, too, to acosde to whatsoever Po- tersfield and myself may quently there was but little trouble in them to sonsent that Edmund should be trane- ferred to Dr. Burdett’s keeping. Burdett married higher are | their costa and the better they are pleased. They , ; and conse. | assistance.” “TI have learnt,” continued Lady Saxondale, “that a certain woman on whom Chiffin made a murderous attack, is retained at the house of Wil- liam Deveril. This woman bears the name of Somers; and amongst her own set, is Margaret familiarly known as Madge. A paragraph in a newspaper, which I saw yesterday, states that she is in a fair way towards recovery; but that she still lies in a very enfeebled state—and that tho faculty of speech has not yet returned. This para- graph farther states that there is evidently some- thing on the woman’s mind, which she is anxious to communicate: for consciousness has come back, and she has regained almost complete possession of her reasoning powere,—as is evidenced by the signs she makes to those about her. She endeavoured a day or two ago to write something on a slate: but she could not—a dimness came over her eyes—and she fainted with the bare exertion,—so that the medical man who attends upon her, positively for- bade that she should be allowed to make any fresh attempt of the kind. Now, this woman, Harold, is in possession of a secret which, if revealed, would prove my utter rain. Do not ask me what this eccret is: I cannot reveal it. It is a seared which (COL (C DOO CS (COL