The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 397: what you’re looking at

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390 her looks upon him again, she said with so peculiar an expression of countenance that i¢ well suited the words she fittered, “ Yes—I will leave you !— but it will be to quit the house likewise—the sea flows at no great distance beneath the cliffs—and it is deep enough to engulph even a misetable woman whd has no longer any reason t6 tumber this world with her presence !” “Wretched creature, what do you mean?” ex- claimed our hero, clutching her by the wrist as she appeared about to retreat precipitately frotd the chamber. “ Would you to your other misdeeds add the still greater one of suicide? would you crowh all your past iniquities by so heinous a crime as this? No! rather study to repent of whatsoever evil you may have done; and at least by your future conduct make such atonement as lies in your power.” * “But if every one looks coldly upon me—if every one seems to scorn and revile me,” exclaimed Mrs. Oxenden, With a tone and look that seemed to express mibgled anguish did bitterness — ‘wherefore should I remain upon earth P” “ That perdons look coldly upon you,” replied Christian, “{s scarcely to be wondered at, ds your own conscience piuet bit too faithfully tell you. But that you have been reviled, ¥ dd not be- lieve " “Nevertheloas {t is true!” fhterripted Mrs. Oxenden vehemently. “Tho day whioh has just drawn to a close, has Been for me one prolonged agony. If I have encountered a domestic upon the stairs, he has flati¢ at rie some taunt—because they all look upon me a4 tht instigatrix arid thé cause of the deceased Baronet’s conduct—a ton- duct in which they were more or less implicated; and which they know fall well Will shortly lead to their dismissal. Just now the maid-servants whom I summoned to assist at my night toilet, flung insults at me——” “Can all this be indeed true P asked Christian, with mingled astonishment and ihdignatidn. “It is true!” responded Mrs. Otenden, the tears trickling down her cheeks, and her half: naked bosom heaving with convuléing sobs. “ Ob, it is true !—and it is more than I cad bear !” “But Sir Edgar Beverley,” replied btir hero quickly, “is ignorant of this—and not for a mo- ment would he permit it. ° Whatever you may have been—whatever you may Have done—so long as by his sanction you remain tpdeath his roof it is not for these menials to insdlt or taurt you—they who were themselves the too ready in- struments of their vile master-———though heaven forgive mo for speaking thus sttongly against him now that he is gone!” “Can you wonder that I am excited? can you wonder that I am frenzied—that I 4m half mad *” asked Mrs. Oxenden, speakihg with vohemert rapidity. “My sister looks coldly upén hb—Sir Edgar addresses me in monosylldbles—ydu avoid mo—Mr. Andrews displays a freeziby politeness, which in itself is worse thin downright ritdeness— the domestics taunt me—anf then this evening tho maid-servants boldly refase to obey me: 90 that well-nigh driven to madness, E retdived to fly to you! And then too,” she added, in &@ tone that suddenly became soft and langiishiry, “there was another reasoh———” “Listen, Mrs. Oxenden!” intertupted otir hero. SS se is SS SS SS SSS SY THE MYBTERIES OF THE COURT. “You aro sdfe from farther frisult for the re- mainder of this night: I will take the oarliest opportanity to-morrow miorning to speak to Sir Edgar. - And now leave mie !" For an instant Mrs. Oxenden Bit het lip with vetation. She had studiously arrayed herself th that niefetticious manuer in the hope of exercisti the influence of her charms dfot odr heto’s pi dios: she had succeeded in drawing hint into con- veréation, alid in dlreddy remaining for ten minutes in hid téom, despite his first peremptory comhniadd that she ghould retire: 1t was true thathe had époket to her with averted countenance, and that not for a single instant had his eyes lingered upoh her volap. tuously expoged chirms: but still she had flattered herself that she had obtained a stifficlent footing th that chamber to give promise of success in the de, sign which she had formed,—when all in a moment he hdd cat her short dnd ottos more peremptdrily bidden her begone! Thus was it that for an in- atant she bit Her lip with vexition: bit the ext morhent fegaihihp complete cotitroul over herself she resolved td retubn to het slego-batterias and play off the artillery of her charms and wiles on poihts which she hoped would be mote willtter able and sensitive. Het first aim hed been te appeal to his magnanithous sympathy by ah gerition of some few little elighte which shé received at the hands of the domiestios} and art- fully cunning as she was, she knew that, id hinety. nine cases out of a hundred, for a beautifal wom to etigage a man’s compassion was already gding far towaids cohquetihg hini completely. “You bid me quit you chamber, Mr. Ashton,” she said, “ik a tone which corresponds but indif- feréritly witli the generosity of the remarics you had ptéviotisly made, atid with the magnanimity of the feelitig you displayed towards me. You have heard ma thus far: you must heat mic off to the ed!” “Mrk. Otendet, I insist pon your leaving me!” orcldinied ChHistian, in whose niind suspi- cions of 4 sinister putpose on her part were engea- dered by the plertiniacity with which she lingered in his chamber. “This is most indecent—most indecordus! If you have a woman's shamed or ide——” : “Oh, now gow revile and taunt me likewise— wretched, wretched woman that I am!”—end weeping and sobbing 43 if her heart would break, she threw lierself with every appearance of frantic distress tipon the nearest olidir. — : “T entredt—I eonjurs that yor will teanquil- lige yourself!” aaid Christian, bewildered whether to give her credit for the moet genuine sincerity, or to behold im her conduct the confirmation of his former suspicidn. “These sounds of affliction will be hearii—and what will be thought-——” “ Oh; fot unkindly to me!” marmared tte wily wotnan: and as if quite unconscious of of her Setions, Be still farther disatranged har dress—so that all the voluptuous contours‘of her bust were oompletely exposed. « Madam,” bald Christian indignantly, “leave me this nicoment—or I myself will seek another chatiber—and to-morrow morning will proclaim wherefore I did to 1” “Oruel, ornel!” thurmuated Mrs. Oxenden,— “and I who love you winadly—I who have bem smitten with an irresistible passion—I who, act COMMUC DOO CS (COL