The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 42: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT, to take against Lady Saxondale. You are now aware that Lord Harold Staunton is my nephew. I more than fear—indeed, it is certain from what wo already know—that this bad woman has con- | to trived to obtain no small degree of influence over him. I¢ is my duty as well as my wish to rescue him from the circle of her fascinations. But con- sidering the empire which she must have gained over his heart, to have been enabled to make him her instrament in the endeavour to take away your life, it can only be bw revealing her true character to him in the blackest dyes, that he may be weaned from his infatuation. 1dr not imagine that he is aware of the fact that she, tur “ome deep and dark parposes of her own, was in ov. respondence with that dreadful character—the man Chiffin. It is ne- cessary to ascertain for what purpose that man’s services were required by her ladyship. Previous to leaving London, I sent a note to that man at the him to let me in to Lady Saxondale, aad telling him where he might send a letter to me. Of course I failed not to hint that hia reward should be ample; and he has already had proofs that I am not niggard with my gold.” “And bas he answered your lordship ?” inquired Deveril: “have you heard anvthing from him P” “ This very afternoon, on my return home from QCavendish Square,” replied the Marquis, “I found a note from Chifin. In that screw! be desizoe mes accompanied by yourself, to pay another visit to that den in Ager Town—to-morrow evening at nine o'clock—~when he promises to have the most impor- tant information to communicate.” “Oh, my lord!” said Angela, over whose coun- tenance « shade had fallen; “do you not fear to | b expose yourselves to the dangers of that horrible den, and to the possible treachery of that dreadfal man P” “My aweet girl,” reaponded the Marquis, in a benevolent tone of reassurance and encouragement, “you have nothing to tremble for, either on the part of your brother or your old friend. The appoint- -ment is given for an hour when that place is fre- quented by a number of persons; and though they may be all bad characters, yet no outrage is ever attempted by a mixed company of that description. As for the man himself, money is hia idol; and as he doubtless thinks that he will make a goud thing out of me from first to last, he wil] not kill the goose in the hope of obtaining all the golden eggs at once. To-morrow,” continued the Marquis, “ Lady Macdonald and Fiorina will pay you a visit between two and three o'clock. At five my carriage will be bere to feteh you both to dine with me at the Manor. I long to introduce you to Lady Everton—to. Adol- phus—to KElizabeth—and to Frank. Then, soon Beer ctent, you and 2 Wiliam, will repeir to Agar Town. I shall devise some excuse: because no one at the Manor niust be made acquainted with the veal nature of the business we have in hand, or the place to which we are going. In respect to what coneerns yourself and Lady Saxondale, William, we shall know how to act better after this interview | 'flung an eagerly with Chiffin to-morrow evening. The greater the | masse of evidence we can accumulate against her, the more easily shall we reduce her to terms. My object, as you may new comprehend it, is a double | ene; namely, to rescue my nephew from her | eenires Ga GG Spr ae Qa GD CED «<p ~~ clatches—and likewise to compel her to contradict the foul calumny she has propagated in respect to yourself. We may then leave the vile bad woman to such chastisement as her own utter mortification will be certain to inflict. But as for this nephew of mine,” added the Marquis, shakirg his head gloomily, “from all I have seen and all I have heard, I deeply fear that he has become inveterate in the ways of vice and demoralisation.”’ “ Let as hope for the best, my lord,” said Deveril. “You know that so far as I am concerned, I freely forgive him.” “ Generousthearted boy !” exclaimed Lord Eagle- dean: “I know that you have forgiven him long “ And even if I had not,” rejoined our hero, “ig would be sufficient to have learnt that he is your. lordship’s nephew, to induce me to bury the pasé in Oblivion.” The Marquis-of Eagledean now rose to take his departure; and the brother and sister accompanied him forth into the little garden in front of the house. There his lordehip took leave of Angela, shaking ber warmly by the hand; and she retreated into the dwelling—for she perceived that the Marquis de- sired to say a few words in private with her brother. And it was eo: for the nobleman, taking Deveril’s arm, led him slowly towards the gate,—eaying in « subdued voice, “ William, you are now acquainted with a: that bas taken place between myself and Lady Karton. The world will perhaps look upon her past »rduct as frailty and levity—and upon mine as thu of a seducer. Now, my dear boy, I have invited yuurself and Angele to my house to- morrow but if you have the slightest hesitation to ring Y your beautiful sister in contact -——” y lord, not another word, I beseech you, upon this subject!” interrupted Deveril. “ At five o'clock Angela and myself will be prepared to wait upon your prashiP, and ali those whom we may find your roof.” The Marquis said not another word—but pressed Deveril’s hand cordially, and entering his carriage, drove homeward. Qualia a ‘ CHAPTER XCIV. LOVE AFFAIRS. AnouT four o'clock in the afternoon of the follow- ing day, Francis Paton might have been seen walking alone in a distant part of the grounds attached to Stamford Manor. He had sought the shadiest spot, not so much because the sun was still powerful—but because he wished ta escape the notice of any persons who might be roving about, end likewise to be left in the companionship of his own thoughts. The youth was full of a nervous anxiety: there was a flush upon his cheeks—the glitter of uneasy suspense in his eyes; and from time to time, when his ear caught a sound like that of an approaching footstep, he stopped and penetrating lvok through the shrubs and evergreens in the direction of the mansion. Then, as he descried not the person whom he expected, he walked on again, murmuring | to himself, “ Huw long the interview laste!” Indeed, for an entire bour—since three o’clock—~ (COL (C DOO CS (COL