The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 359: what you’re looking at

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

-sion of the countenance, “is my own son !” Angela, “that this poor woman has for long years been -poasible amends—and it will doubtless contribute ‘physieal recovery, if you give her some assur- 356 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “ But that young man, then,” said the Marquis § Madge Somers was again overcome by the tran- of Eagledean, scarcely yet recovered from the be- sitory m of excitement which had enabled wilderment into which he had been thrown,— her to give utterance to that speech; and Angela “that young man, I say, who passes before the made a sign of entreaty that our hero and the world as Lord Saxondale ?” Marquis of Eagledean would now withdraw. They “That young man,” answered Madge Somers,in did so: and on dedcending the stairs, the former a solemn voice and with a corresponding expres- drew the Marquis into the breakfast-pariour— closing the door, so that they were alone there Here was another subject for ineffable astonish- _ together -ment; and for some moments not another word « Now, my deer young friend,” said Lord Eagie- was spoken : but those who were present in that dean, embracing our hero with an affection truly -room, surveyed each other with a sort of solemn peer ot me congratulate you upon the awe, as if they deeply felt how mysteriously and know of a momentous secret which gives you inscrutably the ways of Providence are worked , that title and that wealth from which you have out. But at length the Marquis of Eagledean, ‘ been so long and so iniquitously debarred !” breaking that silence, began to question Madge; “My dear lord,” was the young nobleman’s Somers farther. A faintness had however now t my fervent gratitade for these come over the woman: a reaction set in from the | ulations which you proffer me; but my excitement which for the last few minutes she bad ‘.mind is made up to one thing :”—and he spoke in a undergone ; and she only shook her head to indi- | tone expressive of the firmest resolve, while his cate that she was no longer able to exercise the | countenance corroborated his words. faculty of speech. ‘‘'You do not mean to tell me,” cried the Mar- “She must be kept quiet,” suggested Angela. quis, more than half-suspecting what he was about “JI know full well how to treat her: leave her in |-to hear, “that you reject” my hands. But perhaps, dear William,” continued ben ast my generous friend,” interrupted our the young lady, drawing our hero ande, and speak- '- “ that I shall continue plain and simple Wil- ing in a whispering voice,—“ for after the kind Hem Deven. By that name therefore I beseech and considerate assurances you have given me, I | you to address me as heretofore: nor to those in shal) still call you by that name—TI shall atill ad- | the other room—no, not even to your own son— dress you as a brother——” must be revealed that secret which we have just “Oh, Angela! infinite would be my affliction,” : 9 responded our hero, “if you were to treat me| “This is madness! this is imposible!” ejacu- otherwise :”—and taking her hand, he pressed it | lated the Marquis vehemently: and he even spoke with the most affectionate warmth. “ Now con-/in anger—the first time that ever he had been tinue, my dear sister—for as such you must ever |‘angry with our hero. be regarded by me: continue, I say, the sugges- | “Do not reproach me, my best of friends,” said tions you were about to offer.” the young man entreatingly, but still with an ex- pression of firmest resolve upom his countenance. “Give me your attention—I will explain my motives for that course on which I am inflexibly determined ; and your own kind heart will sym- pathise with my feelings.” “Proceed,” said the Marquis, but with a voice and manner which ‘showed that it. would be dif- ance——” | ficulé indeed to bring him over to his young friend's “J comprehend you, dearest Angela—aeand I ad- | views. “It is but too evident,” proceeded privy to a foul wrong committed towards yourself: but she is penitent—-she is anxious to make all towards her mental peace, and therefore to her ‘mire more than ever the noble generosity of your; “Has. it not occurred to you,” resumed the heart :”—then approaching the bed, our hero took | latter, “that if I profit by the information which the emaciated hand of the invalid, and said in a} we have just received from that woman’s lips, I solemn voice, “ Here, m the presence of her whom | bring down utter ruin upon my own mother? Is ‘I love as a very dear sister—in the presance of | it not but too evident that she—the authoress of that nobleman who has been to us both the most | my being—has perpetrated~——I -cannot speak the generous of friends—and likewise with an attesting | word !”” heaven to listen to my words,—do I declare that I; “The foulest of crimes!” ejaculated the Mar- forgive you, my poor woman, for whatscever wrong | quis, almost fiercely. “She has brought up & you may have done me!———-Yes, I forgive you— | stranger to supplant her own offepring! Yes— and may God forgive you likewise!” there can be no doubt that you will involve her in “ My lord,” murmured Madge Somers, now again | ruin: but really, my young friend, thia is a case for a few moments recovering the faculty of in which you cannot stand upon such punctilios. “this generosity on your part is more than I could | There breathes not a man who would more earnestly have expected. Butas through me you have for | inculcate the necessity of filial love, and duty, many years been deprived of your rights, it is a | and forbearance towards a mother——but such s satisfaction to a bliss that I should be mother !” the first at length to salute you by that title which | “Nevertheless,” added our hero, “she is stild %8 properly and truly your's, and which the law! my mother; and not for worlds would I adopt will recognise. For as I have a soul to be saved, | measures which must hold her up to the scorn and you are the rightfal heir of Saxondale—and may the execration of the whole world-———-nay, more heaven give you long life to bear that proud name —-measures that would compel the law to take eog- enn an REO 2 OREN, es OG Remar nisance of her misdeed and visit her with some in you }” , terrible punishment !” p= ee EEE EEE ee —_—=—w. ~—_— rE a —_ COMMUC DOO CS (COL