The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 6] - “Think you not that I am delighted to hear of this of fortune which you have ex- perienced ? ‘Yeo—moet sincerely do I congratulate youl—and all the more so, because, as you remem- ber, I foresaw it. I all along knew, from the very fidante in respect to the remainder? Who is your father, Frank? Do not think that I ask out of mere curicsity——-” “ Mies Farefield, I cannot tell you now. Suffice i to cay that his title is that of a Marquis.” “ Mise iD Mies Farefield f che murmured reproachfully and sorrowfully: “is the rupture then complete between us? O Frank, I forgive you for the cruel test tu which you put me posterday: will not you forgive me for what fell frem my lipe? You sey that your parente ere acquainted with our love: was it they who sug- gested that you should put me to such a test?’ “I¢é was,” rejoined Frank: “I do not attempt to deny it. But pray understand me. That test a patric’ marriage as the stepping-stene to better fortunes. I felt that if you looked upon me in this net you would have but too good reason to despise me, end to rejoice that you had refused me your hand. Bat this ie what I wish you to understand—that inas- continued the wily Juliana—but still tender and impassioned, even at the time when she was thus exercising all her astuteness and all the powers of her suphistry,—-“ do you not think, Frank, that is cost me a pang to that I would become a wife only to deceive a husband in order that the progress of our loves might continue uninterrupted P But perhaps you consider me a being lost to all sense of delicacy and propriety——Ohb, Frank, can it be possible that you entertain such an evil opinion of one who loves you eo tenderly and 90 well ?” She was still clinging to him as sbe thus spoke: ahe was gazing up into his countenance with a look of the most tender and impassioned appeal: she had thrown into her voice all the most melting cadences of ite natural harmony: she omitted no single one of the many blandishments which a woman of artful nature and glowing temperament could possibly exercise on such an cosasion. Again was Frank bewildered and troubled—again was he uncertain how to act or what to think. He disen- gaged himself not from the half-embrace in which ake retained him; but he averted his countenance as if the only hope that remained for him wag in noé beholding that beautiful—too beautiful face, which aero tterieolshenbr iar “ Frank,” she continued, thoroughly prepared to jilt Mr. Hawkshaw if young Paton would now suc- cumb to her wiles,—“ Frank, is it possible that you can forget the interview of yesterday? Is it pos- sible to efface it from your mind—+to bio¢ it out from your memory? If so, ask me once more whether I will accompany you to the sitar. Ah, i¢ is a bard thing for a young lady of my rank end position to have to put this restraint apon her feelings and do this violence to her pride, which I am doing now, when sueing to him who is af that sex which gene- rally sues to mine! Yes, Frank—I ask you to recall your decision of yesterday: I beseesh you not to judge me by it. I tell you that if you still leve me —if you think that you can be happy with me—it will be the most joyous day of my life when I take your name and look upon you as my husband. And, Frank,” she continued, in a still softer, more tremu- wife in the sight of heaven P” This last completed the ‘rouble and bewil- I have no more toesy. Let me conduct you back | derment which were influencing young Paton at the into the other rooms.” “No—not yet, Frank—not yet!” murmured volians, agein clinging to him—but not Kissing | only looking up earnestly and ap ‘sountemenen “You have seid | to ssy: hear me a few words iu moment. He felt that it had gone to his very heart -—that there was as much justice as there was truth in it—that he owed her forgiveness because he owed her reparation. Infatuated boy! he did not pause to reflect at the moment that it was not he who had seduced Mise Farefield from the path of virtue: i y | was she that seduced him—that he never should have dared to make the slightest overture to her, but that every ¢ and provocative had come from herself. Of all this he did not think: he heard the murmured in his ears—it thrilled through his brain—it went down inte his heart—s excited the most generous feelings of his soul. He looked upon her as if she were a young great | creatare who in all trusting love had eurrendered up ensuring our bapvizes, and nes on a barter amuizet it! Do you not think, Frank,” her honour into his keeping, and to whom he was bound to make every possible atonement. Jaliana comprehended fall well everything thet was passing in his mind: she saw the advantage she had gained; qa» (GO) an (C DOO CS (COL