The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

Cee coe ee ee we eo “eee ee ee a 56 ecruple to leave him for a few minutes while he proceeded to pay his respects to Lady Saxondale and Juliana. Mr. Denison then took Frank’s arm ; and gently leading him away into the ball-room, still continued to converse in the most affable manner, though upon general and indifferent topics. They passed though the ball-room—traversed a smaller apartment—and then entered a filled with evergreens, orange-trees, rare plants from the tropics, and a variety of choice flowers. This place was lighted with wax-candles; and in its coolness was most refreshing after the heated atmosphere of the other rooms. ‘¢ My dear young friend—for so you must permit me to call you,” sgid Mr. Denison, “TI wish to know whether there be any way in which I can serve you? whether you need the counsel or succour of _ one who feels a deep interest in youP But stay!” he exclaimed, perceiving that the youth gazed upon him in surprise: “read this—and then you will understand wherefore I am thus familiarly address- ing you. u.” Frank took the letter which Mr. Denison handed him; and having perused it, he remained lost in thought for upwards of a minute, while a profound sadness sottled upon his countenance. Mr. Denison,” at length he said, “I return you my sincerest thanks for the kind feeling you have demeénstrated towards me. Before I left London, my father mentioned that he had an old friend iding in this county, to whom he offered to give me a letter of introduction: but 1 thought not that my stay would be prolonged ——sndoes. it was by mere accident that I became Mr. Hawkshaw’s “Then Mr. Hawkshaw is acquainted with all to which this letter alludes?” said Mr. Denison, in- quiringly. “ No,” responded Frank; “haknows nothing be- yond the mere fact that my parents are rich and noble—and that I myself, alas! am the offspring of a love which, at the time of mv birth, bore not the sanction of marriage.” “But the purpose for which you are come into Lincolnshire ?”’ said Mr. Denisen. “Yes—Mr. Hawkshaw is to a certain extent acquainted with that,” rejoined Frank. “It is somewhat a long tale to tell——— ‘“‘ And evidently not a pleasant one,” interrupted the worthy old gentleman, grasping the youth’s hand and pressing it kindly. “ We will not con- verse any more upon the subject now. To-morrow you and the Squire must come across and dine with us. For the present, endeavour, my dear young friend, to enjoy yourself and enter into the gaicties of the evening. And now let us return to the Saloon, where Mrs. Denison will be proud to find you a suitable partner.” Again taking the youth’s arm, Mr. Denison con- ducted him away from the conservatory, through the ball-room, back into the Saloon. In the meantime Squire Hawkshaw, as already atated, had proceeded to pay his respects to Lady Saxondale and Juliana, who were seated with Mrs. Denison. He placed himself next to his intended; and for the first few minutes the conversation was confined to mere drawing-room generalities; but Juliana, as well as her mother, was convinced by the Squire’s manner that he had heard not a syllable a ee ED ee. et, ies ~ “eee rege eee we —_— b> Be ee —_- = F THRE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. frum Francis Paton’s lips to alter his sentimente in any way with regard to the former. “By the bye,” observed Lady Saxondale, after a brief pause in the discourse, “you have a friend here with you this evening, Mr. Hawkshaw ?” “Yes—and it was owing to that horse of mine, —you know,” he continued with a smile, “to which I allude ?—that I formed Mr. Paton’s acquaintance. In short, I met with a little accident yesterday—I did not mean to tell you of it—but since it is neces- eary to account for my falling in with that very interesting young man-———”’ “ An accident ?” said Julians, in a low tone, and pretending to fling upon the Squire a look full of apprehension, which Mrs. Denison could not help noticing; and she was at no loss to s the cause, although she certainly little thought that it was assumed. “Oh! but it was nothing, I can assure you,” said the Squire. “I was thrown at a gate—not leaping It—it was all my own fault—sheer carelessness on my part——-However, Mr. Paton, who was passing along at the time, rendered me the requisite assist- ance; and the result wae his visit to me at the Hall.” “‘And does he p to make a long stay in Lincolnshire?” asked Lady Saxondale, as if merely in a conversational manner. “No—it was with some difficulty I could in- dace him to remain a day or two with me. He is a well connected youth—— “Do you know anything of his family?” inquired Lady Saxondale, still with the same seeming indif- “No—but I have heard enough from his lips to be assured that he is of the highest respectability. Indeed, his whole appearance,—his manner— his conversation, stamp him as the well-bred young gentioman.” Lady Saxondale drew herself up slightly, but made no farther remark: sho remembered her compact with Juliana, and did not choose to violate it. “I dare say,” observed Mr. Hawkshaw, address- ing himself to Miss Farefield, “that you will be- come acquainted with my young friend in the course of the evening, and I am sure you will be pleased with him.” Mrs. Denison was at the moment makihg some remark to Lady Saxondale; and Julians said, in a low quick whisper, to Mr. Hawkshaw, but with an arch smile upon her countenance, “And shall you not be jealous, my dear George, if you see me dancing with that handsome youth whom you have brought hither to turn all the ladies’ heads ?” “ Not I indeed!” -he responded, also with a smile, but which was as replete with frankness and in- gennous confidence as thet his intended was hypocritical and feigned. think too highly of you, my dearest Jaliana, to be jealous.” “I am giad to hear you speak thus,” she re- sponded, “ Bat have you mentioned to Mr. Paton that—that——-we are ” “No: I don’t talk of those things. Of course the Denisons and many others suspect i “To be sure!” rejoined Juliana: “bat I agree with you it is much better to say as little as possible on such a subject. How elegantly Mr. Paton is dreseed |”-—and this remark she made to endeavour —_ — a 6 oe ~~ — = = Ot oe ore Ee (COL (C DOO CS (COL