The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 246: what you’re looking at

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aqui <a> THE MYSTERRIES OF THR COURT. 239 my footsteps, and pursue me in such 4 manner as will compel me to resent your conduct. You see, sir, that I speak considerately, and even kindly to you under the circumstances: I am forget what has occurred, if you will only suffer me to pursue my way without farther moles- tation.” “T have already declared,” he answered, “ that wo shall not part thus. I have sworn that I will compel you to regard me with some other feeling beyond indifference—— ’ “And therefore,” interrupted the lady, “ would inspire me with terror.” “ No,” he rejoined: “ with love!” There was a pause, during which Mrs. Chester- field again seemed bewildered and troubled,—a pause, too, during which her impassioned admirer drank in fresh draughts of fervid love. He was literally intoxicated by the feelings where- with she had inspired him. All this reasoning on her part only maddened him the more fiercely —rendered him the more desperate. He was brought to that point at which he could commit a crime rather than not succeed in winning her whose grand beauty had so completely ensnared his soul. And now the reader will probably be- think himself of that description which we gave in a recent chapter of the varied modes in which young Cupid takes possession of the human heart : for, asin the case of Francis Paton and Angela Deveril, the mischievous god had entered the sacred tabernacle of tender feelings stealthily and gradually—eo in the present instance, had he all in a moment stormed the heart of the Viscount de Chateauneuf. “*T feel eo exhausted and overcome,” said Mre. Chesterfield, “by the excitement which for the last hour I have gone through, that in mercy I ask you to suffer me to return to my residence.” “'Yes—if you permit me to know where that residence is. It cannot be far off,” he added, as an idea struck him: “or you would not be on foot you _ in this wood.” “But,” she replied, “what guarantees have I inst_——” “Molestation on my part?’ he ejaculated, finishing the sentence for her. “Give me but a single hope, however faint—however distant: pro- mise that of your own accord you will mect me again: name the hour and the place—and as a man of honour I swear that those with whom you are residing, shall have no cause to suspect that your beauty has won the heart of an admirer who will never be wearied of giving you proofs of his devotedness.” “You place before me, sir,” answered the lady, “ certain conditions which leave me no alternative. To-morrow at mid-day will I be in this spot: but I conjure you to reflect well in the meantime, whether you are acting wisely and well in respect to yourself—honourably and chivalrously in respect te me. And now, sir, if yeu follow at a con- vwinient distance, you will see where I reside.” A look of profound gratitude, totally unmingled with overbearing triumph, appeared upon the countenance of the voung nobleman: he felt that he had gained a material point—hope was burning in his breast—and with his glances did he thank that splendid woman for not having driven him to despair. She turned and walked in the direction of the Durands’ villa: she did not look back—but she knew that the Viscount de Chateauneuf wus following at a certain distance: She reached the to | gate of the enclosure in the midst of which the villa stood ; and as she rang the bell, she did glance round for a single moment. The Viscount was amongst tho trees—and though visible to her, yet beyond the range of view commanded by the win- dows. He raised his hat in respectful salutation —tarried there till he saw that she really entered the house—and then plunging deeper into the wood, remained watching in concealment for at least an hour, to assure himself that she did not come forth again. For he thought it just possible that she might have merely called there upon some pretext, so as to rid herself of his importunities. Bat the hour passed: she did not make her appearance ; and through an opening in the trees, he presently caught a glimpse of her as she passed one of the windows of the principal room on the first floor. Then he felt assured that she was really and truly an inmate of that house; and he hastened away with a heart full of exultation. CHAPTER CXXXVIELI. THE VISCOUNT DE CHATEAUNEUF. Punxcruatty at noon on the following day, Au- gusta Chesterfield repaired to the appointed spot. The weather was again exceedingly beautiful and remarkably mild. The sun was there was a certain degree of warmth in the air which produced the impression of Spring’s advent rather than of stern Winter’s near approach. Mrs. Chesterfield was dressed with perhaps still more elegance than on the preceding day; and certainly her beauty was ef a very superior character. The masses of her raven hair hung in long luxuriant tresses beneath the bewitching Parisian bonnet that she wore: her dress, of rustling’ glossy silk, fitted tight to her shape,—thus developing ix well defined reliefs and in rounded outlines the rich coutours of her form. As the pathwsy had grass on either side, and was exceedingly narrow —and the herbage might be damp—she raised her dress somewhat, as ladies are wont to do; thus affording a glimpee of the shapely foot and the well-turned ankle. There was a slight flush upon her countenance—the mantling of a carnation hue beneath the delicate olive of her pure skin; and her eyes appeared to swim in a lustrous languor. The Viscount de Chateauneuf was at the rendes- voxnse—which indeed he had reached half-an-hour before the appointed time; and on this occasion he had come on foot, so as to avoid the possibility of having his actions spied by the groom who had accompanied him on the p day. The moment he beheld the object of his adoration ap- proach, he flew towards her, and before she had time to prevent the action—if she had the inclina- tion—he had caught her delicately gloved hand and pressed it in rapture to his lips. “You have come,” he exclaimed, in a tone of fervid éxultation! “You have come—you have kept your word—there is hope—and I am happy “’ ‘*'Yes—I have come, my lord,” she answered, quickly withdrawing her hand, and speaking in a COLL (C DOO CS (GO)