The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 369: what you’re looking at

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

= -—~— Oo Oo ae 368 THR MYSTERIES OF THR COURT. band possessed such an honest intendant; and she more than ever longed to hasten and become the mistress of those estates which produced such ample revenues. It was on the morning after tho Count ue Toledo’s return, that they rode out together in the phaeton. On these occasions they seldom took a d-mestic with them, as they preferred to be left to th ir own unrestrained discourse. After making a considerable circuit they were returning through the vi'lage,—when a sudden ejaculation, as if of surprived recognition, reached their ears. Glancing simultaneously in the direction whence it came, thoy perceived a wretched-looking man, wrapped tn the rags of beggary—but such tatters as he did wear, indicating a denizen of the Catalan wilds on the other side of the Pyrences. “Ah!” cried the Count de Toledo, “I know the poor man! he is a labourer of my own estate—— Or rather, dearest Juliana,” he added tenderly, “TI ought to say of our estate :”—then having made‘, gesture to the wretched object, as if to imply that he would come to his sucoour, the Count gave the reins to his wife, requesting her to drive slowly on; and he leapt down from the vehicle. This little incident occurred on the outekirt of the village, and was unnoticed by any of the in- habitants. Juliana drove on in « Icisurely manner, as she had been directed, and without thinking very much of the occurrence. In a fow minutes she was re- joined by her husband,—who, taking the reins from her hands, drove homeward. While proceed- ing thither he gave her to understand that the unfortunate labourer had wounded a soldier in a disturbance, and had been compelled to fly the country,—adding that as he (the Count) happened to have but a mere trifle of money about him at the time, he had bidden the poor man await him in the village, whither he purposed to return and give him more substantial assistance. Accord- ingly, on reaching the house, the Count went to the strong-box ; and having taken thence what he wanted, hastened back to the village. A month passed after this incident; and one day, ona presenting the amount of his bill, the Count de Toledo bade him return ins fortnight, at which time he would be in receipt of ample “funds. The man was perfectly satisfied | the with the assurance, and went away. But Ju- liana was astonished that her hus should have thus put him off, as she imagined that there must be a considerable remnant of the large sam which he had brought back on his second visit to his Spanish domain. The Count assured her that somehow or anather the money had melted away, —adding with a laugh, that he must make another journey across the Pyrenean bo - As he treated the matter thus lightly, the Countess thought but little more of it—save and except so far as it regarded the necessity for this third might be some particular business which had brought the individual thither, desired that he should be shown into the room where she was seated: but the moment he made his appearance, she at once recognised him as that same wretched- looking object who had been relieved a month back. He was not however now clad in the same ragged style, but was very decently apparelled in a suit of broad-cloth, which but ill became his uncouth and ungainly form. He had a dissipated look; and his aspect altogether was little prepossessing. He addressed the Countess in his native Spanish tongue, of which she understood too little to com- prehend him: she ingly desired that her husband’s valet, who was a Spaniard, should be sent for; and the moment the domestic entered the room, @ mutual recognition took place between him and the visitor. This was of course natural enough, inasmuch as the latter had been repre- sented as a labourer on the Count’s estate, and therefore could scarcely fail of being known to the valet, who had been for some yeara in his lord- ship’s service. The valet drew the man away from the room; and leading him into the garden, conversed with him there for a considerable time —at the expiration of which he took his departure. Returning to the parlour, the valet informed the Countess that the poor man, relying on his lord. ship's generosity, had called to solicit some farther assistance, which he (the valet) had given to the extent of his means. A fortnight elapsed from the date of the Count’s departure on this third visit to his estates ; and he sustained a somewhat serious injury, there was nothing to be profoundly alarmed at. A surgeon was at once sent for; and he substituted proper appliances for the clumsy bandages which had in the first instance been tied over the wound. Meantime the Countess had gathered husband’s lips that he had been attacked ditti on the Spanish side of the had defended himeelf successfully against until some shepherds who were guarding pocks, bappened to come to bis assmance, ruffians retreated precipitately. He had how- ever sustained that injury in the arm: but he treated it lightly, inasmuch as he had frustrated the object of the predatory horde, and retained in safety the considerable sum of money which he had brought with him from his intendant. Juliana now told him of the visit which the labourer had HH him, and had transferred him ever to the valet for explanations, his fordship became appeased, — the matter more lightly, and pawing sepa- | treating ration. “he Count however assured her that he ' away from the subject with the observation “ that incurred little or no risk; and after affectionatel embracing her, he mounted his horse and took | his departure. In the evening of that very same day, Juliana | was informed by her maid that a person was in- quiring for the Count, and would not be satisfied ' with the assurance of his lordship’s absence unless . he sary the Cour:tess heravif. She, fancying that it the fellow deserved some blame for imposing upon good-natute.” Several weeks passed: the Count’s wound was | thoroughly healed—he no longer felt any bad ' effects from it ; and as the Spring, which is carly in its visite in that clime, was now at hand, the rides and drives wero regularly resumec COLL (C DOO CS (GO)