The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 296: what you’re looking at

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THE MYGETERIES OF THE COURT. 291 For delicacy’s sake, Kate was well pleased to have such a travelling-companion added to the party; and the young female herself was rejoiced at the proposal to journey free of expense back to her own island. We need not follow them on the route; suffice it to say that in due course they reached Calais in safety—and thence they em- barked for Dover. Infinite was the joy of Kate’s parente and sisters as they welcomed her arrival and hailed the presence of Ned Russell. There were such festivities at the Admiral'’s Head—such tales to tell—such adventures to recite—so much to talk over and over again, that it seemed as if neither the rejoicings nor the narratives would ever end. Don Diego was unfeignedly happy at this spectacle of perfect blise; and he considered the circumstances favourable for a little piece of advice which he had intended to volunteer to Ned Russell. This was to the effect that it would be better for the gallant sailor to avoid his smuggling adventures in future. Thereunto Russell replied that he had already made up his mind, not merely to abandon such expeditions, but to give up the cca entirely,—adding that even if he were utterly destitute of resources, he should consider it his duty to look to some other means of gaining a livelihood, so as to avoid being ever more separated from the admirable woman who had saved his life. But he had some little property where- with to commence the world anew; and moreover, the sale of his vessel, which had arrived safely in proceeded to observe, in as delicate a manner as possible, that by way of indemnifying Ned Russell for the loss of his freight which fell into the hands of the Spanish Custom House officers, he intended to make him a present of five hundred pounds. Russell would not hear of it: the Count insisted. Old Marshall overheard what was going on; and backing Ned's decision, promised to provide so bountifully for his daughter when the should take place, as to supersede the necessity of this farther display of his lordship’s gen The Count was therefore over-ruled : but before he left Dover, he made Kate and Ned Russell such handsome presente that, so far as the amount went, | they almost fulfilled his original intention. Russell, “if we are blessed with a son, I shall take the liberty—and hope no offence—of calling him Christoval after your lordship.” “And depend upon it,” responded the warm- hearted nobleman, “I shall be rejoiced to stand god-father.” Don Diego took his departure, followed by the kindest wishes and sincerest expressions of grati- tude on the part of Ned Russell and the Marshalls. On the very same day Kate gave away her carrier- pigeons to some neighbour who had long fancied them, and who she was well aware would treat them kindly; and the little reception-place, as well as the curiously-contrived trap-door, disappeared from the roof of the Adméiral’s Head. Kate looked back with sorrow upon the somewhat lax notions which she had hitherto entestained in cer- tain particulars: for she also felt, as did her in- tended husband, that the incidents of the last few weeks had their moral teachings which were not to be disregarded. In this better frame of mind she possessed all. the clements to render her an admirable member of society; and such she was resolved to become. The same purifying influence was shed throughout the family; and no long interval of time elapsed ere they felt that calamity and adversity often have their sovereign uses, Three weeks after the return to Dover, Ned Russell led Kate Marshall to thealter. IJ¢ was a blithe and bappy day; and again was the ddairal’s Head a scene of festivity and rejoicing. CHAPTER CXLIX. THE WIFE. Tux reader will not have forgotten that the man- sion of the Viscount and Viscountess de Chateau- neuf stood upon a gentle eminence about a mile distant from the picturesque village of Auteuil. We have already stated that by his marriage with the sugar-baker’s daughter, the Viscount obtained an annual revenue equivalent to twenty thousand pounds ing of British maney; and this in- come, large for any individual in any country, was “ We shall be married in three weeks, my lord,” | an’ immense one for a French nobleman. It is said Russell, just previously to the nobleman’ 6 departure for Edenbridge Park, on the second day after his arrival at Dover,—the Marshalls | therefore scarcely to observe that the , chateau was furnished in the most sumptuous manner—or that were troops of domestics having compelled him to give them his com-' forming the househblid establishment. But riches pany thus long,—treating him as if he were a god do not constitute happiness: and this wasa truth who had descended amongst them,—“we shall which the poor Viscountess could, if she had be married in three weeks, my lord: and depend ’ chosen, proclaim with the utmost sincerity. Stephanie possessed a warm and generous dis- sure Kate will make the best of wives. Do you think, | position: but her mind was not as powerful as hor my lord, that if ever anything was to put her out heart was sensitive. She loved her husband with and she did say a harsh word—which I know she ' all that heart and with all her soul; and she had won’t,—but even if she did, do you think I would | © on accompanying him to the altar, that give her one in return? No, never! I would kiss‘ his attachment would be equally fervid. She soun her back into good humour. I would sooner kill. myself than draw a tear from her eye, or make her beautiful face look mournful by any conduct on my part. I shall never forget what she has done for me—never forget all that she has gone through ! The bare idea of it, as well as my own sufferings, has made me an altered, and, I think, a better man. As for your loriship, your name will ever be a househuld word with us——a<And,” added Ned ad . oe = — == 06 ——— OR « GEE a > SR - @ a? CESS —Eee ee ae a mM. a ee ae however found that it was not so; and, as Madame Durand had explained to Mrs. Chesterfield, the Viscountess sought to find in herself the causes of this coldness on her husband’s part, rather than to” make them the source of reproach towards him. She exerted all her powers to please: she was never wearied of lavishing upon him the most delicate attentions and the tenderest caresses, if he would only give her an opportunity of proffering (COL (C DOO CS (COL