The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 281: what you’re looking at

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274 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. not weep,— what must you think of a man who | cause circumstances have led me into the revela- wields so much power to do good, and yet uses it | tion——~—And besides,” added the Minister's wife, so unworthily ? Oh, what must you think, I say ?— | suddenly looking as if she were ashamed and con- what must you think? Alas that I should have | fused, “there is a project in my mind which may been compelled to speak thus openly and plainly | serve the purposes of us both.” in your presence : but I see how it has been. You too have experienced an outrageous proposal from | ing, like a drowning “Serve mine?” ejaculated Kate, eagerly catch- creature, at any straw. “ Do that man whose conduct fille me with shame, as it | you mean that there is hope of saving the life of causes my unhappiness,—that man nevertheless | him I love ?” whom I love so devotedly and so well! Oh, =f my “Hope? Yes—every hope!” responded the dear friend Constance”—thus alluding to the Mam | ledy. ‘ But only if you will be guided by me.” chioness of Villebelle—“ knew that I am unhappy,.| “Guided by you?” exclaimed Miss Marshall : and suspected the cause-———But no!” she inter | “ rupted herself vehemently: “heaven forbid that | despair! are an sent to raise me up from Oh, you have but to speak—to give me it should be suspected at all——-heaven in mercy | your instructions—to tell me what to do—and I forbid !” The unfortunate lady became convulsed with grief—ar rather desisted from her impassioned ont-. let me first understand you t possibility af | of mistake. ‘Deal frankly with me: think not of anguish ; and Kate Marshall, forget- | wounding my feelings by any painful disclosures : ‘nos thro the . that reading ee will follow your counsel in all things “Patience for a mament,” said the lady; “and ting whatsoever difference of rank there might be | it is absolutely neceasary that I should learn every- between them, took both. her hands—pressed them warmly in her own—end besought her to be com- lent to last long ; and wien itmawesping fury had passed away—or at least had yieldedisamewhat to a lulli—the Minister's walle a brief pause went om . “ Circumstanses,” she anid, “have led me into revelations to your ems which. heve never been | conjectuzed tham breathed even to my meshaer eo father—much less | beginning? You to friends or sequaintances. No: the pride of a| shall, to wham my husband woman has prevented that,—the pride of a Cam-/ posals tilian too ! of complaining. It is hewever different. My glass tells me that I am mek ugh: a retrospect over the educational teaining thevagh have passed, be devoid of mental attractions; and the adulation quumsingly anknowledged | I say, tell me the display of Mise Maxshei¥eagapathy; and after | project which I have in m Weve £ ill-looking, unacoomplisiied, | offered: to sell that and coarse in mammers, I might eamplain of = us- | dition would he wouchsafe! But band’s neglect—because, in that ease, I shomid not | the few who have had the honour be sustained by « propen pride above the meanness the rectitude to sgorn and. disdain | thing which passed between my husband and youp- self.” picte revelations ?”’ asked Kate. “T do,” the Minister’s wife. “ the accuracy with which you bus are - You ave mes the whic! Oh! you know not how I love my husband, ing all his faults: and if I could af é witeh Jj wean hem. beek ta my arms———But I am wasti convinces me that I cannot altogether | time. Pray give ms your explanations.” Kate i —perceiving that the Minister’s which I receive in society, forbide the notion that | wife was firmly resolute in hearing these dis- my manners are repulsive. Therefore have I the | closures, and that they connected themselves with conviction that I am a woman to be loved: and for| the plan she was revolving in her mind,—no the same reason my pride prevents me from suffer- longer hesitated to acquiesce in herdemand. She ing the world to know that I have not the power | accordingly entered upon a narrative of those par- of fascinating my husband’s heart. But I will tell | ticulars of her interview with the Minister which though small, was nevertheless the foundation of | ing the catraged wife,—the latter was compelled his fortune. Therewith he established the journal | to questien her closely to elicit the fullest par- which became such a power amongst the press—a | tieulars. Ultimately every tittle was revealed,— power too amongst the people. It procured him a transition was by no means difficult to the elevated post of a Minister. To me he owes everything : chambers ;—yes, for two years we have been onl as friends dwelling beneath the same roof. There has been as much alienation between us—or rather on Ais part towards me—as if no nuptial vows had | mind, che said, ever been pronounced. It you, Miss not even to the omission of the insolent prophecy thrown out by the Minister, to the effect that within the week which was passing Kate would return to him. ‘* Now I know all,” said the Minister’s wife, in : neglect ! For three years has our married | a mournful voice: for she could not be otherwise life lasted : for two years we have cecupied separate | than shocked at the cold-blooded cruelty and re- fined villany of her husband’s conduct: but speedily brightening up again, with the hope which was by the project then in her “ Now, Miss Marshall, I will ex- ) may seem singular to | plxin to you the course which is to be followed Marshall, that within the first hour of | ——the GUE acquaintance, I tell you all this: but it is be- | lover only course whereby you can save your from an otherwise certain death!” ST SS ap ch sl herrea (COL (C DOO CS (COL