The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 304: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTRRIES OF THE COURT. LIC OT MOE I A ES Se OL i TT TS IT AS NT IT A TN em RI who was evidently bewildered—indeed half-frensied by the thoughts that were agitating in his whirling brain. “Forgivencss? Wo!’—and Indora at once turned to leave ths drawisg-room. “For heaven’s sake, stop!” cried the Dake, hastening towards her in a oupplicating manner. “If you will not grant me your pardon, at all events give me the assurance that you will do me no 9 “JT have triumphed so effectnally in the cir- cumstances to which you allude,” replied Indora, “that I need scarcely hesitate te promise that it is my purpose to keep silent in respect to your in- famy. But anderstand me weil!l,—that if you dare breathe a singlo syllable prejudicial to my hovoar —if i¢ come to my knowledge that when heated with wine, ad in that boasting mood which at times takes of all Hbertines, you have proclaimed the faet that I was a tisitress here,— in a word, my lord, if yor have the Rardihood to make an allusion to me in tho least way dis- respectful, that moment shall I be absolved from my pledge—I will go before a magistrate-—I will acquaint him with all that occarred—not even omitting’—and here Indora’s dark eyes were to the drawihg-root, he was on the point of ring- ing the bell with a view of putting certain questions to Purvis; but he thought betier of it, and ro. paired to the breakfast-parloar. He had no appe- tite—but be was égore athirst: his throat felt as if he had been swallowing ashes. He ordered wine, —some choice specimen of the light and cooling vintage of the Rhine; and when he had parteken copiously thereof, he proceeded to his dresasing- toom to make some improvement in his tolet. Afterwards he wandered out upon his domain; and for hours he reflected upon all that had oo- curred--or we ehould rather say that he continued . to be harassed and agitated by a variety of the most painfal thoughts. On returning to the mansion as the dinner-hour approached, he again felt an inclination to put cértain inquiries to Purvig; and again was be by a second thought prevented. The dinner passed, —that dinner to which he sate down all alone; and when it was over, he again went wandering abort like ah unsettled spirit. When the dusk was closing in, he re-entered the mansion; and as he repaired to the drawing-room, one of the domestics preceded him with wax-lighte. Then, as if his mind was suddenly made up in respect to a point fixed penetratingly upon the Duke-~“ not even | on which he had po often hesitated throughout this omitting, I say, the circtmetance how I defended | agitated day, the Duke abruptly said to the do- myself with that self-stime which deult death to the uncle whose title and fortune you in- herited !”” Having thus spoken, the Princess Indora issued , from the drawing-room; and the Dake, slosing the door behind her, threw himself upon and gave way to his agitated reflsotions. In 0 fow minutes » domestic entered, saying, “The Lady Indora has ordered your Grace’s plain carriage to be immedintely gotten fn readiness, to take her to | the nearest post-town; and she will leave Oaklands in less than half-an-hour.”’ The Duke gave no answers; and the domestic withdrew. Marchmont comprehended wherefore the message had been sent: it was to give him to understand that as Indora was on the point of taking her departure, it was not for him to fulfil the pledge given her in hig hastily written note, that he would quit the mansion immediately after the interview which he had besought her to grant. . The carriage was soon ft readiness and the Princess d from Oakt felt ‘in —having thé handé of Purvis a Mberal sum of money to be divided the dovesties—althoagh the ge- nerality of them little deserved this bounty at her hands, ina#mueh as théy had been prepared to follow their niaster’s instructions in respect to sup- porting the tale of the Duchess being beneath that roof. We may was the present which Indora made to the steward for his own special behoof; and she had found an opportunity of expressing her thariks for the well- meant note which he had thrust under her doocr.. Buf she mid nothing to him in seepect t6 the The Duke of Marohmont behetd Indort’s depar- ture from the drawing-room window; and the instant the drove away, ho sped up-stairs to the room which she had oecupied. He searched everywhere for that dagger—but he discovered it mot: if was nowhere in the chamber. Returning observe that munificent indeed | in .meéstic, * Bid Parvis come hither !” in a few minutes the old steward entered the apartment: but even still the Duke felt disin- clined to approsch the particular topic. At length | however he said, “Parvis, something so strange sofa | oveurred last night, that I have made up my mind | to speak fo you on the subjeet-——and yet it is so | painfal a one that you will not wonder I have , throughout this day dreaded to approach it.” The old steward was utterly at a loss to con- jecture what could bave thus ooourred,—though on the other band he was scarcely at a loss to comprehend what the psinfal topic must be; for whenever such an allusion was made beneath that roof, it was always at once eee for granted that it referred to the tragedy of nineteen years back. “ The fact is, Purvi,” continued the Duke, “J had some little design in respest to that lady: but of course that’s my own aifaiz, and nothing to do with any of my servants. I was misled as to her character--I thought she was imelined to bo gay,. whereas I found ths vemy revexse to be the case, However, the point on which I desired to speak with yoa, may be explained in a fow words. Last. Might, Purvis, I found that ledy armed with a weapon of defence—and the weapon was-—~you know what IT mean! -Is wae the. samo identival one which my wretched brother weed——~” 7 “That dagger, my lord ?”’ oried the old steward,. shingled astonishment and diemay, “Yes—and E see that yeu “aoe ponething about it !” exclaimed the Dake.. “Come, tell me !:- Think you that it is a plenasant thing for me te have paraded before my ayce that manorial of the terrible past P”’ ; * My lori, I ent dbeply sorry,” seid Purvig— “tnt. I begin to nuderstand . “Explain yourself |—hasten t¢ to explain y ourself | Tell me the whole trath, whatevor it may be |” and ment of suspense. “ My lord,” rejoined Porvis, “I have dene nov ——a (COL (C DOO CS (COL