The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 285: what you’re looking at

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280 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. to admit—that I stand upon the very verge of ruin. Ah, cursed folly that has brought me to this extremity !’’ “ My dearest husband,” said the noble-hearted Spanish woman, seizing his hands and pressing them to her bosom, “tell me what I can do to serve you.” “T am about to ask you much,” quickly re- sponded the Minister: but then, es a sudden thought struck him, he exclaimed, “Oh! you must know what Miss Marshall has done with that document? She acted under your advice—— “ Think ” interrupted tho lady with a re- proacnful look, “that I should have left you thus in suspense, had I really known how she has dis- posed of the paper? No-—on my soul, I am ignorant on the subject! I saw her this afternoon; and she uninted me with all that had taken place between herself and you in the morning: she even showed me that paper—but I neither coun- selled her to make any special use of it, nor did she intimate that such was her intention. So far from myself having the knowledge that she thought of parting with it, it was a portion of my plan to obtain it from her on the morrow, when placing the pardon in her hands; and I should have come, as I ere now said, to throw myself at your feet—to reveal everything—and to restore to you tifis very written promise whereof we are The lady spoke with such a voice and with such looks of completest sincerity, that it was impossible for her husband to doubt the truth of her aver- ments. “TJ believe you,” he said: “what right indeed have I to doubt you—you who are exhibiting a kindness and an affection towerds me which I so little deserve !” “And the service I can render you P” asked the wife anxiously. ‘ Methinks I can anticipate what you would say.” “ At an early hour in the morning, ” responded the Minister, “you must repair-——” “ This night !—now, if you will!” exclaimed the lady. “I know what you incan: you would have me visit Miss Marshall in her prison But, Ah! my dear husband, you have still the power to make some atonement—and rest assured you will not be a loser thereby! Sign the order for this young woman’s release: let me be the bearer of it to the gaol—and I stake my oxistence upon the promise I now make,—which is, that I will save you if it be yet possible to recall whatsoever course Miss Marshall may have taken !” It was still more impossible than at first for the Minister to remain insensible to the generous con- duct of his wife. That heart which for nearly two years had remained so hardened against her, was melted. He would have been the vilest, the moat detestable, and the most brutal of wretches were it otherwise: but unprincipled though he were, he was not so bad as all this. Ho seised his wife's hand—he carried it to his lips—and as she wound rat reast “ Admirable woman!’ he exclaimed, “ you have taught me a lesson this night which I cannot pos- mibly forget! Whatsoever may be the result of these ¢ circumstances, I shall not remain unmindfal of your noble generosity. No—TI shall not! Wicked and unscrupulous I have been! Not for an instant do I attempt to palliate my conduct: but I may atone for it—yes, I may atone for it; and that atonement shall be made. I will now follow your advice in “ | things. You say that you will proceed this “To the prison ?” exclaimed the I lady. “Yes— at once! Lose not a moment in writing an order for the discharge of Miss Marshall: within an hour or two she may be back at the hotel—and the circumstance need not outa publicity.” While thus speaking, the Minister's wife had begun to re-apparel herself hastily; and he, taking writing materials which were in the room, sat down and penned the document wherewith she had enjoined him to entrust her. “ But is not Miss Marshall herself,” he suddenly asked, “playing you falsee——-I mean by the dis- posal of that written promise without your know- ledge——”’ . “ Let us not judge her hastily,” interrupted the lady. “She may have secured it in some place where it has escaped the notice of the searchers. This is indeed most probable: for brief as my acquaintance has been with her, I have neverthe- less obtained a sufficient insight into her disposi- tion to feel assured that she would do naught to injure you, the effects of which should redound upon myself. Iam now about to issue forth: I will repair to the prison———But you empower me to promise Miss Marshall that her lover’s pardon shall be forwarded to her in the morning ?” “The matter is in your hands,” answered the Minister: “use your own discretion—adopt the course which may appear best. Fear not that I shall repudiate your actions !” He again embraced his wife; and drawing her veil closely over her countenance, the magnani mous lady issued forth into the streets of Madrid. CHAPTER CXLVII. THE GAOL. It was soon after eleven o’clock on the eventful night of which we are speaking, that Kate Mar- shall’s chamber at the hotel was suddenly invaded by the Minister’s valet, followed by three of the Secret Polico in plain clothes. not retired to rest: nor indeed had begun to disapparel herself. Her mind much agitated with suspense as to the issue stratagem, to permit her to seek her pillow: was therefore sitting up,—endeavouring to centrate her attention upon one of the which she had brought with her from but she constantly lost the thread of w attempted to read; and found her th dering to far different subjects. Althoug spect to the written promise received Minister of the Interior, she had adopted ticular course—yet she could not satisfy that even this precaution would guard effects of his or the insidiousness treachery, should he discover that instead victim whom he expected, it was his whom he was clasping in his arms. aor the chamber was abruptly invaded by the and the policemen, Kate comprehended but Hi: Th "8 EES Ete pets cette! ; cat COLL (C DOO CS (GO)