The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 69: what you’re looking at

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58 THE MYSTERIES OF THR COURT. “Not for the world!” rejoined Juliana. “ Pray | is sufficient to find Mr. Paten within these walls goon. I see that there is something very romantio | be assured of his respectability.” ° and interesting about this youth—all the more in-| “ But what is more,” rejoined Mr. Denison em- teresting too, my dear George,’ she added with | phatioally, “I cam answer for it—I will guarantee witching cajolery, “since you yourself have formed | it. There may perhaps be seme little mystery at- a friendship for him.” tending him, but which will all be cleared ap in “The fact is,” proceeded Hawkshaw, “he was in | good time. Suffice it to say that I know who he love with some lady whose name he very discreetly | is——” suppressed, and of course I did not question him | “Indeed!” said Ledy Saxondaie, fixing her eyes upon the subject——” keenly upon the old gentleman, to ascertain, if pos- ‘(A lady in this neighbourhood P” sible, to what extent his knowledge thus reached. ‘Properly belonging to London, but staying at; “ Yes—~I know that his father is a nobleman of Gainsborough just for the present. My young | very high rank,” responded Mr. Denison. friend’s fortunes have recently changed: so hecame| “Is this youth, then, the Hon. Mr. Paton?” to put her to the test—dressing i out in the | inquired Lady Saxendale: “or Lord Paton —— shabbiest and meanest style—— : or——” . ‘¢Oh, what a device!” observed Juhana: andshe | “U > answered Mr. Denison, in a affected to titter gaily, while inwardly she was subdued voice, “there is a ciroumstance connected racked with tho bitterest feelings. ‘And what was | with his birth——But I need ssy no more—— the result? ” Suffice it to add that I do know who his father is “ Unpropitious to my young friend's views. But | —he is a very old friend of mine—immensely rich, where is he ?” suddenly exclaimed Hawkshaw. “I | and fully able to give hie son 4 proud position in left.bim with Mr. Denison at the other end of the | the world.” room. Pray excuse me for a minute—I must not; “Dear me, Mr. Denison,” said his wife, “pow leave him alone, as he is a perfect stranger here: came you to learn all this? I am sure I am de- he will feel awkward and embarrassed in the midst | lighted to hear it; for I felt quite an interest in of a crowd of pereons unknown to him. And mind, | that youth the moment I beheld him——” dear Juliana—not a eyllablo to your mother of alll | “This is no time for explanations,” interrupted have been telling you!” Mr. Denison. “I only tell you what I know and “Oh, fear not, dear George! Weu know you can | what I will guarantee. Come, my dear,” he added, trust me.” still speaking to his wife, “let Mr. Patom join the Mr. Hawkshaw flung upon ber a took full of ten- | next quaitille with Miss Farefield, if she will per- derness; and then rising from the seat where he | mit us @ introduce him ?” had been carrying on this whispered diseourse with | “Qh! with much pleasure,” said Juliana, in a Juliana—while her mother and Ms. Denison were ' most eourtsous and affable manner. conversing together on their Gde—the Squire pro-| Thereupon Mr. ana Mrs. Denison hastened away ceeded towards the ball-room. At Ghat instant | to fetch Frank; and Juliana whispered quickly to Mr. Denison and young Paton were returning into | her mother, “ You perceive therefore that Hawk- the Saloon; and they accordingly encountered the | shaw has not bedn misinformed, and that the youth Squire on the threshold between the two sapart- | has not devised any false ad mente. *‘ It ws altogether a mystery,” replied her ladyshi “J shall leave you, Mr. Paton, with your friend | “ which I cannot comprehend.” we vee Hawkshaw for a few minutes,” said the worthy old; “But at whish I am less astenished than you, gentleman, “while I go in search of Mrs. Denison | mother,” responded Juliana: “fer I all along knew thut she may do the honours of the house towards | that there were strange things connected with the eu.” parentage of Francia Paton.” With these words he hurried away, and was tre-| “ Ho is anproashing, Juliana,” eaid Lady Saxon- versing the Saloon, when he perceived his wife in | dale. “Take care, take eare how you play your company with Lady Saxondale and Jaliana. He | cards—or you will lose Mr. flawkahaw.” immediately accosted the group, saying to his spouse,| A fow moments after these words were uttered, “I was looking for you, my dear, that you may i the Denisons came up with Frank; and the lady fulfil your intention of introducing Mr. Paton to of the house introduced him ia the usual manner. Miss Farefield.” Lady Saxondalo bowed with a ould and distant “ Mr. Paton’s appearance beneath your roof, Mr. ' resorve—Juliana with as wudh affable courtesy as Denison,” said Lady Saxondale, “seems to have ' under the circumstances she dared show: but with excited quite a sensation. I have been asking Mr. i) tho power of cuntrol she was enabled to exercise Ilawksbaw who his young friend is——” | over her feelings, she could not prevent the colour “And Mr. Hawkshaw has told you, mother,” in- : gon coming and going rapidly on ber cheeks. torrupted Juliana, with a quick deprecating look Frank, on the other hand, was very pale, but per- at her parent—as mueh as to remind her of the fectly collected. As he gave bis arm to Juliana, be previously expressed desire that she would not ¢): thather hand trembled asit touched him; and you precisely whet Mr. Denison himself had al- : yrilling through his entire form. ready stated.” “To be sure!” ejaculated this gentleman. “ Am I to understand that there is the slightest doubt as to Mr. Paton’s respectability ?”” —— “Oh, far from it!” exclaimed Juhana. “My mother could net possibly mean such « chirg. Is ee = -_—s 9 ee we ow « és in ~—~—<-< eo um = = a» e LO EE OS ED Ee D-DD Seay, wee COMMUC DOO CS (COL