The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 255: what you’re looking at

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246 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ticco. “I have been very wicked—but never never was I capable of such a crime as that——— no, never! My soul would have abhorred it.” “I believe you,” answered Mr. Redcliffe: “for eertain little incidents have come to my knowledge which tend more or less to eorroborate some por- tions of your narrative. Describe to me once more, as accurately and minutely as you can, the appearances of the two men whom—as you allege —you saw on that fatal night m company with Mrs. Webber the housekeeper.” Lettice did so; and Mr. Redcliffe murmured to himself in a musing manner, “ Yes—they are the very same i” “Do you—do you think that there is a prospect of my innocence being proved?” asked Lettico with an almost anguished eagerness. “] hope 00,” responded Redcliffe: “but I charge you not to indulge too much in a hope which might possibly be disappointed. Heaven is the dispoeer of all events; and it is only by heaven’s sufferance that man ean be permitted to work them out to a particular end. [ shall teli you nothing of the plans Iam adopting on yoar be- half: auffiee i¢ for you to know that I am not idle.” “ What ean I say, Me. Redcliffe,” asked Lettice, profoundly moved, “to convince you of my grati- tude ?”’ ° “TI am certain that you are grateful,” he an- swered: “but it is not gratitade that I require—it {s the assurance that you are truly penitent for those misdeeds that you Aave committed. And in this also I believe you. T[ learn from the governor sufficient to convince me that you fulfilled the injunctions which I gave you on the occasion of my former visit.” ‘Oh, not for the world, Mr. Redcliffe, would I have neglected them !” exclaimed Lettice. “That {nfamous woman Madame Angelique came down from London to see me a few days after you were last here: but I refused to receive her. Then sho sent an attorney residing at Liverpool, to offer to eonduet my case: but E told the man of business that I was fortunately not without friends—and that even if I were, I would accept nothing at the hands of Madame Angelique.” ‘“Dhese particulars E have learnt from the governor,” remarked Mr. Redcliffe: “and I am pleased to find that you have thus fulfilled ali my instructions. Your trial will come on shortly: able counsel has been retained for you—and as I have already hinted, EF am not idle in other respects. I have entrusted your case to the most eminent solicitor in Liverpool; and this afternoon be will calf upon you to ascertain whether he has correctly taken down every detail of the statement which I made him on your behalf. I purpose to remain in this neighbourhood for a few days; and I shall eee you again. But ere I leave you on the present occasion, let me repeat my warning,—that you indulge not too far in whatsoever hope I may have held out—but that you fix your thoughts upon that heaven whose forgiveness you so much need 1” ‘ Lettice made a suitable answer; and then, as Mr. Redcliffe was about to leave her, she said, “ May I hope, sir, that Madame Angelique has not succeeded by other means in enticing awsy Eveleen from the home to which you restored her P”’ “No,” answered Mr. Redcliffe: “ Eveleen is EP Py mee —~— oe o—e 2 cho, © eo aw with her parente. She is fally upon her guard against the machinations of that vile woman; and IK have no fear that she will either relapee into error, or become the victim of any new snare.” Mr. Redcliffe then took his departare, accom- panied by the heartfelt gratitude of the penitent Lettice Rodney. While this interview was taking place between the philanthropist and the prisoner, the following conversation was being held in the grounds of a handsome country-seat, about four miles from Liverpool. That country-seat was the abode of Sir William Stanley; and the discourse to which we have just alluded, was progressing bet ween this gentloman and his son. Captain Stanley had only arrived within the same hour at the paternal man- sion,—where he was to spend a few weeks, he having obtained leave of absence from his regi- ment. We have already said he was about twenty- four years of age: we may add that he was a hand- some young man—of the middle beight—weil made—and of genteel figure. He was steady in his conduct—endowed with high notions of honeur —of generous disposition—and of considerable intelectual acquiremente. He had a good parent: but he himself was a son of whom any father might be proud. “ And who is this Mr. Redcliffe whom you are expecting to-day P” inquired Captain Stanley, as he sauntered with Sir William through the epa- cious and well iaid-out grounds attached to the mansion,—which we may as well observe boro the name of Stanley Hall. “Do you not remember, my dear Robert, how I was indebted to a gallant Englishman for my life when traversing the Indian jungie——” “Can I, my dear father, ever forget an ceeur- rence which, when I read it, caused me for the moment as much cruel terror as if I had indeed lost you—but which the next instant was suo- ceeded by as thrilling a joy at the certainty of yoar escapeP You however omitted in your letter to specify the name of the valorous Englishman who rescued you from thove bloodthirsty Thugs; and after your return to England you never happened to mention it.” “That gentleman, then,” rejoined Sir Wiltiam, “ie the Mr. Redoliffe who will be with us pre- ently.” “And most heartily shall I grasp the hand of my father’s deliverer!” exclaimed the Captain. “Sincerely do I hope, too, that he will remain with ue some while: for Aéz is a friendship which I shail be proud to cuitivate.” “You will have the opportanity,” replied Sir William Stanley: “for according to the letter which I received from Mr. Redcliffe thie morning, he purposes to remain with us a few days; and I know that he will be here again shortly, before your leave of absence expires,—inasmuch as he takes considerable interest in a case which bas caused great excitement in our neighbourhood, and which will be brought forward at the approaching assizee———-I mean that of the accused young woman, Lettice Rodney.” “Ah! that reminds me, my dear father,” ex- claimed the Oaptain, “that when you wrote to me some time ago upon the subject, you hinted that you were not quite 80 convinced as other pes- eons seemed to be, of the prisoner’s guilt.” ei oi LL ee COMMUC DOO CS (COL