The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

272 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. raven hair and large dark eyes. Unhke the Spanish women generally, however, this pcg Boncin her hair in a profusion of ringlete and tresses, which admirably became the perfectly oval shape | ¢ of her countenance. She was handsome,—with features, bright red lips, and a superb set of teeth: while the rich carnation blood appeared on the cheeks beneath the diaphanous olive tint of the skin. Altogether che was a lady whose beauty might be termed brilliant; and she was as com- manding and gracefully majestic, as her husband in stature and appearance was insignificant and sinister-looking. There was however upon her countenance a certain air of pensive melancholy, which seemed to denote that she was not altogether happy in her mind; and notwithstanding the affa- bility of her manner, this spirit of thoughtfulness —almost amounting to mournfulness—displayed itself in a certain degree of languor. Kate was immediately prepossessed in her favour: for she felt convinced that the wife was very different from the husband. ‘Pardon this intrusion, madam,” she said, thus addressing in her native English the Spanish lady: “ but I have been emboldened to wait upon you in order to present a letter from the Mar- chioness of Villebelle.” “Ah! my English friend, the Marchioness— that sweet amiable creature!” said the Minister’s wife, a smile appearing at once upon her lips; as if she heard with unfeigned pleasure the name of ‘one whose acquaintance ehe valued. “ Pray be | ing seated: for whosoever comes with a letter of in- troduction from either the Marquis or the Mar- chioness of Villebelle, must be truly welcome here.” Kate presented the letter: and in so doing she sighed. audibly, through fear that the present pro- would prove useless, as all the incidents of her interview with the Minister swept vividly through be her memory. The lady’s ear caught that sigh; and fixing her large dark eyes intently upon Miss Marshall, she said in a low murmuring =, but till epeaking 3 in the English language, | Kate hastily averted her head to conceal her letter would no doubt afford her some insight into the cause | of that | t sorrow which her visitress but too | yorum without saying a rd “ Miss Marshall,” said the Sena lady, when she had read the letter, “it is impossible for ony one to appear before me more strongly recom mended than yourself. To the extent of my limited power, you may command my services Not merely on the ground of this recomm andetion will they be cheerfully afforded—but likewi e be cause you belong to a nation for whom I entertaiz an esteem amounting to an affection, I was educated for | some ent in — and artis me > saaidh ex si am ations 8 ‘may er at once to what extent you may rebar on my | influence. ¥ K Marshall's tale was soon told: but in speaking of the interview which had so vetece _, pacween herself and the be tae husbi -, i. | seat, she saw that it was de | | 4 | Evans eres dhe wih & be ay of his 7| cw uoeuincet we, therefre wroag | how could : thir Guiness hi sympathy: “for it would be wrong on my part to encourage a hope the realization of which I cannot foresee—much less promise. You cannot from yourself—I am sure you are too intelligent to make such an attempt—that the case of the unfortunate man in whom you are s0 deeply interested, is no ordinary one P”” “TI know it—alas, I know it but too well, lady!” Kate, with profound mournfulness. “ In- deed, I have been made to understand that it is so. But surely, surely, there is mercy to be shown even to one who has so grievously offended the laws of your country as he ?” “Did my husband hold out no hope ?”’ inquired the lady: “ none ?—not the slightest whatsoever ?”” ‘‘ None, madam,” answered Kate: but as she thus spoke, the colour mounted to her cheeks an instant before so pale; and if her own life had depended on it, she could not have prevented her- self from looking troubled and confused — this trouble and this confusion, too, being enhanced when she perceived that the Minister’s wife was now gazing upon her with a peculiar manner of penetration. ‘And his Excellency held out no hope ?”’ said the lady, slowly emphasizing her words, and look- with keen earnestness at Kate, as if she did not altogether believe the response that had been given, and bade her tax her memory for something that lurked in the background. - “Madam, I entertain no hope at the hands of your husband,” replied Miss Marshall : then feeling that her confusion and her trouble were augment- ing, and consequently becoming all the more visible, she burst into tears,—exclaiming passion- ately, “all my hope is now centred in yourself and in heaven !” The Minister’s wife rose from her seat, with s certain expression of countenance that appeared | to be almost | nee ; and she turned abruptly : as sudder nly s ecosting Kate again, sh said in a low voice, « Miss Marshall you have not told me all ! I understand it !—I comprehend the | noble deheacy of your conduct—and I thank And this voice in which the Spanish lady spoke, | was not merely low—it was likewise so altered | from its natural tones that Kate was smitten with | dismay; and gazing up into the countenance that was bent over her, as she herself retained her own ily pale—with that too, which is always the more ghastly and by the face of a pallor, t the more fearful when displayed brunette. The idea naturally . ment to Kate's mind, that the indy mae be suf- ficiently aware of her husband's true character, derment. She knew not what to say: her own position was most painful. If questioned pointedly, acd “taken place P—but d she admit itP To EORAIClIOO© CS (COL