The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

oa-— EP --—E- = are a nmr Queeetee eeews we - Baca ald . THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. Lad y Suxondale, playing the maternal part ‘to per- fection, represented how dear to her was the welfare , him on the change which his position is likewise to of her elder daughter — how jealously she had | experience. One kiss more, dear Juliana—and I watched over that beloved child’s happiness—bow | am off.” pleased and gratifiel she was to think that her The kiss was given and returned; and Squire darling Juliana had won the esteem and affection of | Hawkshaw, quitti ig the drawing-reom, repaired to so worthy a gentleman as Mr, Hawkehaw—and how | Lord Harold Staunton’s chamber, which was on, a cheerfully she (Lady Saxondale) gave her consent higher atorey and in a remote part of the building. alliance. to the The speech was altogether a very beautiful one, eminently touching and pathetic: the only mis- fortune was the utter hollowness of the sentiments themselves and the guileful hypocrisy of the lips from which they came. However, Mr. Hawkshaw | regarded it as ® genuine outpouring of maternal love and affection; and taking her ladyship'’s hand, he preseed it to his lips in token of gratitude for ber kindness in consenting to part with such a matchless treasure as her daughter Juliana. “I avail myself of this opportunity, Mr. Hawk- shaw,” said Lady Saxondale, “to make you in return a certain communication—which indeed [ am bound to make, now that you will so soqn become one of the family. You must have perceived that Lord Harold Staunton entertains a most affeo- tionate regard towards me; and I do not know that there is any indiscretion in avowing that I reciproeate his love. He has offered me his hand. I have spoken to him moet seriously on the subject. I have bade him remember that there is a con- siderable disparity in our years; and I have be- sought him to study his heart well ere receiving an afirmative auswer from my lips. He has replied with all suitable frankness and pandour. In a word, therefore, I propose to consult my own happiness by accompanying Lord Haruld Staunton to the altar.” “I congratalate your ladyship,” answered Mr. Hawkshaw, “upon a prospect which, from all that you have said, is so well caloulated to consolidate your happiness. From what I have seen of Lord Harold, 1 have every reason to admire and like him. But when once you have obtained the in- fluence of a wife over his lordship,” added the Squire, with a good-natured smile, “ I hope you will prevent him from mounting strange horses and taking daring “Depend upon it, my dear Mr. Hawkshaw,” answered Lady Saxondale, while a blush rose to her cheeks; “that I value his life too much to permit him to risk it again in so venturesome a manner.” The Squire took leave of her ladyship, and then proceeded to bid farewell to Juliana also: for he had some importact business to transact at Gains- borough that afterneon, and had ordered the greom at the Castle to have his horse in readiness at three (clock. It was now close upon that hoar ; and there- fore the Squire could no longer delay taking hia de- parture. He found Julians alone in the drawing- room; and when he had bede her a temporary farewell—only until the morrow—he inquired where Lord Harold was? She answered that she thought be had ascended to his own chamber. “Twill just seek him there, to shake him by the hand,” observed the good-hearted Squire: “for as we are both to enter the family soon,” he added with a enile, “we must maintain all friendly courtesies. Besides, under existing circumstances, it is but right I should acquaint him with what has taken place Ce ed On knocking at the door, he was desired to enter; and he found the young nobleman making sume change in his toilet. He proceeded te mention his engagement with Juliana, and likewise to olfcr suitable congratulations on Harold’s intended mar- between you and me to-day—and also congratulate | riage with Lady Saxondale. It struck him for the moment that a somewhat strange expression passed over the exceedingly handsome countenance of Lord Harold,—an expression which seemed to spring fsom the writhing sense of internal pain: but as it immediately passed away, and Staunton recovored his wonted cheerfulness of look as he reciprocated those congratulations, the Squire thought no more of the circumstance: or if he did, he attributed it vo the lingering effects of the severe fall from the “Why are you going so early to-day, Hawk. shaw ?” asked Lord Harold. “I have some little business at Gainsborough,” responded the Squire. “In fact, a large farmer, who owes me some money, has called a mecsting of his creditore at a tavern there: and as he is a worthy good fellow, I am going to give him what help I can.” “You are going to ride across?” asked Harold. “ Yes: and on that same thorough-bred, too, that you were so venturesome with. I am afraid that you sometimes feel the pain now? And yet—let me see—it must be a good three weeks ago-——” “Ah! but it was a very serious fall,” rejoined Harold. “Iam going to have two or three hours’ fishing, under the shade of those trees yonder, till dinner-time.” “You seem to be fond of manly sports,” observed Hawkshaw. “Ah! you have got a pistol-case bere :” —and the Squire, who possessed a perfect knowledge of every descriptien of fire-arms, opened the box. “* Double barrelled, eh P”’ he said, taking up the only one i¢ contained; for the other was not there, although the case was formed to contain two. “This is a beautiful pistol—and an excellent makor’s name too—one of the first in London.” “Yes: they are first-rate pistols,” S tlaetadon ia tun, turning aside to put on a shooting-j whioh he was going on his fishing “Where is the other pistol?’ asked the Squire: “there ought to be a pair—it would be a great pity to lose one. Besides one of hase cays you and I will have a shooting matoh. I will order my groom to bring over some pigeons from the Hall——But where is the uther pistol?” he again asked. “ Ob! I left it behind in London,” responded Staunton, now bending over a long wooden case which contained some fishing apparatus for which he had sent a few days previously from Gainsborough. “Oh! no matter,” said the Squire. “Ihave got a splendid collection of fire-arms; and when we do have our match, I will bring over a couple of rifles, which will be better than pistols. Are you a guud shot, Staunton ?———-I mean with pistols.” oP (COL (C DOO CS (COL