The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 64: what you’re looking at

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Ag see, THE MYSTERIES mind that his own pride and sense of honour required that Julianashould be disabused upon all those pointe. Now, it was reasonable to suppose that she would be at the bali on the ensuing evening. What if he were to appear there also? Ho would not ox- pose her: he need not speak to her_—he need not even seem to notice her: but she would see hin there, elegantly dressed—introduced by Mr. Hawk- shaw; and as the Squire was acquainted with her, he would no doubt take an opportunity of whisper- ing in her car “that Mr. Paton was a youth in whom he felt interested—that he had only recently discovered his parentage—that this was noble, though he himself was illegitimate—that his pros- pects were brilliant—and that he had a fortune at his command |” Such were the thoughts which swept rapidly throagh the youth’s mind; and perfectly consistent fhey were with his tender age —his i lence in the world—and the natural feeling of pride that he entertained on account of his altered circumstances. Had he been twenty-cight instead of eighteen, he would have possibly reflected and acted otherwise: but as i¢ was, he suddenly reeolved upon the course which was thus chalked out. He accordingly ac- cepted Mr. Hawkshaw’s invitation to remain a day or two at the Hall; and the Squire was heartily glad at the decision to which he thus came. Perceiving that his youthful guest was very much wearied, Mr. Hawkshaw proposed that he should retire for the night; and with a cordial shaking of the hands, they separated. OHAPTER XOIX. “ THE BALL. Wr indeed might Francis Paton be wearied and exhausted, after the many long miles he had walked that day, and the excitement of mind through which he had passed. Scarcely, therefore, did he lay himself down to rest in the handsome but old- fashioned chamber to which he was shown, when tleep fell upon his eyelids. On awaking in the morning, the sun was shining m at the window. He looked at his watch, and found that it was nearly ten o'clock. Springing from the couch, he rang the beil; and his valet soon made his appearance, All that Frank required of him was to put out a more suitable apparel than that which he had worn on the preceding day; and when this was done, Edward was dismissed while the youth performed his toilet—for he was neither affected or fastidious enough to need assistance dur- ing the process. But while he was thus engaged, he reflected more seriously and wore deliberately than he was enabled to do on the preceding evening, on the course he had resolved to adopt by appearing at the Denisons’ ball. All the motives above specified, and which he had already weighed, remained undisturbed: but there was a danger, which now occurred to him that made him hesitate. What if Lady Saxondale should herself be at the ball, and should take it into her head to denounce him as the brother of a female highwayman ?—thus renewing the malignant spirit in which she had expelled him from her mansion. Yet would she dare do this? would she take so bold | 51 a step when she found him in the companionship of aman of such evident wealth and standing as Mr, Hawkshaw? No: it was not probable. Besides, Frank could not see how her ladyship entertained any spite against himself: he was unaware that she had discovered his amour with her daughter; and therefore he came to the conclusion that if she be- held him at Mr. Denison’s she would pass him by unnoticed—perhaps not even recognize him at all. But still there was another consideration: might not Juliana, on beholding him there, become over- whelmed with confusion, and thus betray to Mr. Hawkshaw that ske was the lady of whom the Squire had heard so sad atale? We have already eaid that Frank did not seck to expose her: he was too generous—too noble-minded—and there was 4 sufficiency of love lingering in his heart to render him averse to the i n of any OF THE COURT. unnecessary pair upon Mise Farefield. Should he, then, go to that ball? . Ah! did he not know that Juliana had an immense power of command over herself? Yes, surely ;— and on second thoughts, he caleulated she would pasa him coldly by, with the air of one who had never seen him before in all her life. Therefore, every- thing considered, Frank decided upon remaining fixed in the resolve formed on the preceding evening. Having completed his toilet, he descended to the breakfast-pariour ; and Mr. Hawkshaw, who was already there, rose to weloome—not the poor- locking youth of the previous day—but an elegantly dressed young gentleman. The Squire had been up for hours: as early as seven o'clock he was gallop- ping over his estate; and returning by nine, had taken a tankard of ale and a somewhat massive sandwich to allay the cravings of hunger until hie guest should descehd to the breakfast-table. And sumptuously provided was this breakfast-table, to which they both sat down: the board literally groaned beneath cold viands, pies, and poultry— ham and tongue—various sorts of potted meats and marmalade—besides some fish, fresh caught from the river that morning. The Squire did the most ample justice to his own good things: and if he had confessed to Frank the little incident of the tankard of ale and the huge sandwich, the youth would have stared in most unfeigned wonder at the havoo which Mr. Hawkshaw was atill enabled to make among the comeastibles. “I have been thmking, Mr. Paton,” said the open-hearted gentleman, “what I oan best do to amuse you to-day. I sha'n’t offer to take and intro- duce you to any of my friends in the neighbourhood ; because I know that the mere ceremony of morning calls is iksome and uninviting enough. Besides, you will see all the elite of the county at the Denisons’ in the evening; and then you can take your choice in respect to those whose acquaintance you may choose to form. I myself usually make one call every day,” he added, with a smile ; “ and you can guess upon whom—the lady who is to be Mrs. Hawkshaw: but I will send a note presently to excuse myself for this one occasion——— ‘*I beg and beseech that you will do nothing of the sort,” interrupted Frank. ‘I should be truly sorry to deprive you of the pleasure‘of paying your accustomed visit. I myself shall be well pleased to ramble through your beautiful grounds——” “ No, mf dear Mr. Paton,” said the Squire; “I am not going to leave you to your own resources, (COL (C DOO CS (COL