The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 237: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE Cour. and holy while prompting him who possessed it to trample upon all the scruples of conscience ! “My dear friend—my ever dear friend,” ex- claimed Lady » In a tone of joyous enthusesm when ashe saw how completely he was anguished, “you have inspired me with new life. Oh, I must embrace you ag a friend———only as a friend !” “No, Harriet,” responded the physician, ab- ruptly rising and retreating from her: “it must not be so. To me at least you shall never appear in the ight of a wanton. But now with regard to that unfortunate young man. This morning I have discoursed with him for a long time; and on my soul! it were unjust to keep him captive for another minute.” “What!” ejaculated Lady Sexondalo; “after this mad alliance which he has formed -——” “ And yet he is not mad,” answered Ferney. “ He se mad, I tell you!” rejoined her ladyship vehemently: “even your own science may some- times err. At all events I conjure you to keep him for a day or two until I shall have had time to see those who must be consulted in this matter. My dear friend, you must do nothing by halves: my interests guide me in all my proceedings——I will explain no more now. You have promised me much: is it too great a tax upon your friend- ship-——”’ “Good heavens!” murmured Ferney, almost wringing his hands as he spoke; “if you bade me eell my soul to Satan, I should obey! Edmund ehall remain captive at my house.” With these words the physician turned abruptly away, and quitted the room. The moment the door closed behind him, an ex- pression of exultant satisfaction appeared upon the countenance of Lady Saxondale, and rising from her seat, she surveyed herself in the mirror. She had indeed good reason to be proud of her ificent beauty ; for by the power thereof she had triumphed over all the virtuous scruples of a man who was naturally good, but who under the influence of his fatal love was prepared to sell his very soul to Satan rather than harm a hair of her Bat when turning eway from that mirror, and when the first flush of exultation was past, Lady Saxondale could not help feeling—and Seerly feeling too—that many and great difficulties lay before her. It was impossible that Edmund could be left at Dr. Ferney’s. His presence there would sooner or later re-awaken remorse in the physician’s conscience ; and the next time it was so, he might go and act at once under a sudden impulse, and without first coming to warn her of his intentions. Edmund must therefore be re- moved. But whither? This Lady Saxondale at present knew not. She however made up her mind to call personally on Dr. Burdett, and give him her own instructions without sending them through Marlow. Fora few days, she felt con- vinced, it would be safe enough to leave Edmund where he was: and in the meantime she could make new as well as effective arrangements for his future keeping. “EP lily <= apy @ +s = CHAPTER CXXXV. A CHAPTER OF LOVE Om the same day, and at the same hour when the preceding scene took place, we shall find the beau- tiful Angela Deveril seated by the bedside of Somers at the villa near the Regent's Park. © woman lay sleeping: her countenance was hideously pale—and her strongly marked features had become more peaked and , likewise as a result of the all but fatal illness which hed fol-. lowed the murderous assault she had sustained at the hands of Chiffin the Cannibal. And, Oh! what a contrast did that counte that she wore, wae fastened up to the: : but the bust which it so modestly com- displayed its own rounded contours by de- fining as it were the shape and eet of the corsage of that dress. Tall and slender, without leanness —on the contrary, with all the rtions justly modelled—her figure blended elastic litheness with gracefal elegance. No now did the short drapery of the dancer display the rounded sym- metry and straightness of the lower limbs: but still their sweeping length might be traced beneath the folds of her pe present raiment ;—and when she roee to tread lightly across the room for any pur- pose, the exquisitely-shaped feet might be secu, sloping shoulders. As the light from the window fell upon that hair, it seemed to crown that head as with a glory, so rich was the velvet gloss of thoes dark masses. The dassling purity and of her complexion was described in one of the earliest chapters: nor less was justice then done to the large dark eyes, so full of fire,-— not the fire of sensuous passion, like that which floods the saloons of pleasure; but a fire, holy, pure, and ineffably bright, like that which burns upon an altar in a temple. Yes—ravishingiy beautiful and beyond all description lovely, was Angela Deveril—but not less amiable and virtuous than physically enchanting. If we peep into the room on the occasion spe- cifically mentioned, we shall observe that there was a slight expression of pensiveness, not exactly merging into mournfulness, on the lovely counte- nance of Angela Deveril. The coral lips were slightly apart, affording a glimpee of teeth which it is a poor simile to liken either unto ivory or to pearls; for they outshone both,—the first in the ward,—thus showing to the utmost advantage the lines of long, thick, silken lashes which fringed them. Yes—shé was somewhst seri- ously perhaps, but not in a melancholy strain : for the young heart, when beating with ite first love, has more of hope than fear blended therewith ; and even while scarcely conscious of the real na- 9 @Q@m oe e - oo ee 4 a= ee eee Ge ese (COL (C DOO CS (COL