The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 231: what you’re looking at

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

324 THs MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. young nobleman follow: the mandate was obeyed by the crushed and spirit-broken Edmund :—the other keeper was close at his heelsa—and in this manner was he received by Dr. Ferney, who ushered him into the house. “Dr. Burdett, sir,” said one of the keepers aside to Ferney, wil write or call to-morrow, to make you acquainted with such circumstances re- garding the patient as it may be necessary for you to know.” “That will do,” answered Ferney. “ But, by the bye, your master omitted in his note of to-day to mention the patient’s name.” ‘‘T was ordered to explain, wr,” keeper, “that this was done ly; inasmuch as there is eome treachery at wotk, endeavouring to effect the young nobleman’s hberation. But his mother and guardians feel convinced that it is ‘absolutely necessary for him to remain under con- straint ;.and his presence at your house muat be kept as secret as ‘“‘ But who is he ?” inquired Dr. Ferney. “Lord Saxondale, sir,” was the rejoinder: and as the keeper, having thus spoken, looked around to assure himself that the patient was in complete security, and that there was no avenue of escape, he did not observe the startling effect which his g@nnouncement had produced upon Dr. Ferney. Almost immediately afterwards the two keopers took their departure: the footgan locked, bolted, and cuained the front door; and the physician remained alone in the parlour with his paticnt. And this patient was Lord Saxandale, the son of that woman whom Ferney had so long loved, but whose real name and rank were only so rocently made known to him !—that lady, too, whose deep damning guilt was so marvellously brought to bis knewledge—and who had knelt at his feet asa murderess, imploring that he would not send her to the gallows! Yes: the son of that woman who for so many long years had been the idol of his almost sainted worship—that woman whom he had loved with a devotion as pure as it was unfail- ing, as holy as it was unextinguishable,—the son of that woman was now beneath his roof ! Such were the reflections which swept hur- riedly through the mind of Dr. Ferney when the keepers had taken their departure—when the house was locked up—end when he was alone in that parlour with his patient. Until this occasion Lord Saxondale personally unknown to him ; —and now, as ho"contemplated that short, thin, slightly made young man, he could trace in his features not the slightest resemblance to Lady Saxondale. The mother had hair of raven black- ness—Edmund hair of yellowish brown: the for- mer had eyes large and dark, and flashing fire— the latter eyes which can only be described as of the ignoble hue of greenish grey: the former was characterized by an aquiline profile—the latter with features mean and vulgar. There was some- thing grand and magnificent in the appearance of Lady Saxondale—something despicable and paltry am that of Edmund. Never was there such dis- relationship to each other! Dr. Ferney was amazed: but his was not a countenance that vividly exhibited such a feeling ; and therefore Edmund, who sat looking up at him, responded the woticed mot the sentiment his presence inspired. observed Dr. Fernep, “that we hed Gradually strange ideas began creeping into the mind of Dr. Ferney. His memory travelled back to bygone days: he retrospected to that period when he was first acquainted with Lady Saxondale —and to the incident which had to a certain degree linked them most mysterioualy together. Slowly turning aside, Dr. Ferney raised his hand to his brow, and murmured to himself, “My God! my God! if it should be so—and if I have been instrumental But, no: it cannot bed And yet if not that, what elee 7” The unhappy man was well nigh overcome by these dread misgivinge—these dire apprehen- sions, which had arisen in his soul: but still Kd- mund Saxondale observed not the physician's emo- tion—for he had cast down his eyes, and had relapsed into the profoumiest despondency. He had seen that the entreaties and prayers ad- dressed to Dr. Burdett were so unavailing that he had not the heart nor the courage to repeat them over again to this new oustodian to whom he was entrusted: he had heard too the locking of the front door—and the sound had smitten upon his ear like the knell of any new hope that for a moment he might have forméd. Presently he became aware that the physician, with whose very name he was unacquainted, was approaching him; and looking up from the sofa where he sat, he was as much surprised as suddenly delighted to observe the truly compassionate manner in which Dr. Ferney was regarding him. ‘Pray tell me who you are, and where this house is situated?” said Lord Saxondale, whose habitual arrogance and flippant air of assumption had yielded beneath the heavy weight of humili- ating adversity: “for Dr. Burdett told me no- thing more than that I was to be removed else- where—and the carriage that brought me hither, had the blinds down.” “My young friend,” responded the physician, in a kind tone, and seating himself by Edmund’s side, “I will give you such explanations as you may require. My name is Ferncy—and this house is in Conduit Street. Believe me, you shall he treated with the utmost kindness. Every day, when it is fine, we will go out in my carriage together; and when in the open country, we will alight and walk—for there is but a-very smal] garden attached to this house——” “ But my dear sir,” interrupted Edmund, stil cheered and encouraged. by the physician’s -words and manner; “I really am not mad. I know that I have been foolish, headstrong, and in- fatuated—and that I did a very mad action: but atill Iam in the full possession of my intellects. My mother and guardians have treated me in- famously in having me locked up. I know that it is all my mother’s and old Petersficld’s doing : they are at the bottom of it. But question me on any subject you like ; and you will see whether I give you rational answers. I know why I have been pronounced mad: it was because I fell y in love with a very splendid creature ——love at first sight——and the circumstances were so peculiar, that I married her. It was all done in a few da quick indeed as it could be done. But a single mad action does not prove thorough and complete madness in all things.” “It is now so very late, my young friend,” better post- en aed Nn A LT (COL ( 5 DOO CS (COL