The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

———— me eC a . ore —— Eres ED 8 eG, 4D a a nym ang per did she vouchsafe. She appeared to converse enly with the courteous and easy politeness which a young lady might be expected to observe towards a young gentleman with whom she was but very slightly acquainted. After the quadrille—and while promenading round the room—she dethought her- self of a dozen different expedients to ebtain five minutes unobserved and unrestrained discourses with Frank: but Mr. Hawkshaw was there-—-and she dared not risk the danger of exciting his suspicions by accompanying the youth a second time into any secluded place. The moment errived when he mast eonduct her back to her seat; and as they were proceeding thither, she hurriedly whispered to him, “If we do not find an opportunity to cenverse pre- sontly, you must meet me to-morrow, soon after mid-day, in the Castle garden, at the same spot where we met yesterday.” Frank made no reply. Indeed, if he had wished to one, he could not: for by the time Juliana had finished spesking, they were too near the snot where Lady Saxondale was seated for him to do otherwise than make his bow, leave Juliana there, and turn away to another part of the room. Again did Mr. Denison accoost him: they joined a greup amongst which was Mr. Hawkshaw; and there they stayed conversing for some time. Frank refused to dance any more; and he accordingly remained al- together with his friend the Squire, until sapper was announced. Then Hawkshaw proceeded to conduct Juliana to the banquetting-room. Mre. Denison requested Frank to escort a young lady, to whom she introduced him for the purpose; and when seated at the table, there was a considerable interval between himecif ard Mise Farefield. We need scarcely observe that the repast was of the most sumptuous description, or that the hospitalities 20 COG Eb GRD 4» Crewe Ge eee THB MYSTERIRE OF THE COURT. 63 write a letter to your father, and inform him thet you will not be home for a day or ¢wo?” “I could have wished to return to London to- day,” replied Frank; “only that it would be most ungracious not to accept Mr. Denison’s very kind invitation.” “Ab! you would like to quit Lincolnshire to- day?” said the Squire: then, with a laugh, ho added, “And have you really no inclination to visit Gainsborough and ese that lady of whom you spoke to me?” Frank felt that he was blushing, and scarcely knew whet reply to give; but Mr. Hawkshaw seemed 00 busy with the viands as not to notice his young guest's confusion. “Why should you think,” asked Frank, after a pause, and endeavouring to leagh also, “that I am desirous to ese that lady again ?”’ “* Because, my dear Paton,” responded the Squire, “it would only be eonsistent with the weakness of human nature if you did entertain such a desire. Besides, you are s0 young—so inexperienced—~-" “However,” interrupted Frank, speaking with the firmness of a fixed resolve, “I have made up my mind that I will sof ese that lady again.” “And you act very wisely,” rejoined Hawkshaw. “ Now, take my advice, my dear young friend—for eo I am sure you will permit me to call you: shun that lady, whoever she may be, as if she were a reptile. I have been thinking very seriously over all you have told me—because the more I eee of to | you, the more Iam interested in you; and I should be very sorry te think that you were ensnared of entrapped by such a base, heartless, intriguing creature. I don’t know mush of the female sex: but this I do know—that such a woman as the one you have described to me, must be capable of any of the host and hostess were administered in the | eophistey, hypocrisy, and dissimulation, in order to moet cordial maaner. After supper the party began to break up: for it was now two in the mornmg—and in the country, where the guests have frequently long distances to go on their return home, theee entertainments are ' eeldom protracted until as late an hour as in the metropolis. Juliana found no opportunity of saying another word to Frank in private upon this occasion -— circumstance at which he was very far from ’ being displeased. Ere he and Mr. Hawkshaw took their departure, Mr. Denison said to the Squire, “ Remember that you and our young friend are to dine with us to- | | morrow.” CHAPTER CL MR. DENISON. carry a point. Therefore, if you give mo the assur. ance that you do not intend to use any exertion te sce Dar Senin, 6 will be seking @ weight off my “My dear Mr. Hawkshaw, I cannot thank you sufficiently,” responded Frank with grateful fervour, “for the kind interest you take in my behalf. I should be unworthy indeed of such a gencrous friend- ship, if I did not give you the pledge you aek. And that, Pledge I do gire you, solemnly and The Squire shook Frank’s hand in the most warm- hearted manner: he even wrung it with effusion ;— ‘and then he hastened to observe; “The truth is, | my young friend, if I thought that you were at all inclined to throw yourself again in the way of that syron, whoever ehe may be, I should not ponsider -| myself justified in keeping you at the Hal] anethor minute. Much as I should regret to lose you so abruptly, it would be my daty to urge your speedy Faanx slept till a vory late heur: for he was much return to London- However, you have given me wearied with the excitement of feeling as well as _ the pledge—and Iameatisfied. I must now inform with the festivities through which he had passed. | you that my friend Denison last night took an op- Indeed, it was close upon eleven o’cloek when he | portunity of telling me that he received a letter from descended to the breakfast-partour. Mr. Hawk- ehaw had been for a long ride, and had eaten his first breakfast on- his return home: he however sat duwn tag table to commence a second one when Frank’ made his a nce. your father, who is a very old friend of hia. Your father, as I already knew from your lips, is preserv- ing an éneognite,—-he enjoined the strictest secrecy to Mr. Denieon—and Mr. Denison has sot violated it. He did not tell me therefore who your father “ We are to dine with the Denisons this ev “ing,” ' is; and of course I did not seek to know. Stop! de said the Squire. “Perhaps you would «lo q Il to not tell me that secret, Frank! I would rather not SL SL SSF rs LS TL ae a A A TAIL (COL