The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

@oummeawen ow. - —emm - THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. curners of his eyes. His countenance was thin ; and palé—his features hail grown angular—but their expression was that of a cold haughty severity. He had married about two yeats after the tragedy at Oaklands suddenly put him in posees- sion of the title and estates of Marchmont: but no issue had blessed the union. The lady whom the Duke had cepoused, was a young creature of otly sixteen at the time of the marriage; and fifteen years having lapsed since the solemnisa- tion df thosé xitiptials, she was consequently now irty-one. For some time the Duke had earnestly hoped to have axt heir té his title and possessions: but as year after yéat and the hope te- mainéd unfulfilled, Hugh gtaduslly conceived an aversion towards his young gnd beautiful wife. This aversion did not at first display overt acts towards the Duchess: but in proportion as it increased, the Duke grew all the less cateful aculd no longet blind herself to the growing indif no longer blind herself to the i ° ference of her husband,—an ind{feretes that was merging into downright hate. At last the Duke of Marchmont separated so far from his wife that they occupied distinct rooms,—though still continuing to live beneath the same roof, and preservin all the outward decencies which husbend and wife are bound to maintain towards each other. The Duchess was not the less virtually and in reality neglested,—the Duke seldom dining at home, But eceking his own pleasures in quarters that wete most agreeable to him. Though he had been ex- travagant and improvident in the earlier part of his life, and was indeed overwhelmed with debts at the period he succeeded to the title and domains of Marchmont,—he had, since that accession, lived within his income: but then his income was ample enough {o minister to all the wants and wishés of even the most pleasure-secking individual. The town-mansion occupied by the Duké and Duchess of Marehmont, was one of the handsomest works of the old masters: all the appointments of the ial residence were indicative of great wealth and a luxurious taste. Throughout the entire arrangements the voice of the Duke himself was autoératic,—the Duchess not being allowed to interfere. Neither did she seek to do so: her disposition wis gentle, meck, and submissive: her lot was an unbappy oue—Dbut she endeavoured to oe Se eS ign i wine Ey lously avoid aggravation of ite hardshi nay Caanifertation ofS will of bar oon in oproa tion to that of her imperious dt was in the beginning of June, 1847, that the scene occurred which we are about to narrate. The time-picce in ofe of the furnished | 5 Picoe 3 el@antly ents at House, had just pro- elaimed the hour of noon ; and the Duke, who was alone there, laid aside the newspaper which he had been reading. He was sitting, or rather lounging upon a sofa: his person was wrapped in @ handsome silk dressing gown of a rich pattern, with a cord tied loosely round the waist. thinking of the recreations he had He was to bi proposed himeelf and the appointments which he had for. 47 that day,—when a footman entered the room, an- ‘nounding “ Mr. Armytage.” An expression of annoyance swept for a moment over the countenance of the Duke of Matchmont: but i¢ rapidly passed away, as if suppressed by his own strong will, because he did not choose to dis- play it to the individual who was thus ushered into his presence. This individual wae a man of about fifty—of middle stature, somewhat in- clined to corpalency—and with a countenance that wee far from . péssiniy. Tt bad 8 mean, u- ning —anh expression of co world}y-minded caloulation, which evinced selfisiness, lové of gain, petty ambitions, and other low debasing feelings. Yet there was s certain gentility of manner sbout this person,—a gentility, however, which to the would ssem to hive eye of 4 well-bred observer iteelf in any | been when in sodiety and before the world, | what ine past: so that resolved to address thyself to your lord at length ship.” “A family matter’ éjaculated the Dake of Marchmont, in evident surprise. “What the deuce cah you meanf This is the first time you ever thought of consulting me on such a subject ; and really, Mv. Armytage, I should fancy that with shrewdness you are the best possible persor Ye the world to manage your own affairs.” But siinétitnes, my Lord Duke,” rejoined ynanager ~~ e oe idently :|“a friend "—bat he substituted the term “an viser. “ Well * exclaimed the Duke: “for it is past mid-day, and I am not yet dressed to go ot.” “Your Grace is aware,” proceeded Armytage, “that my daughter 2x6 is now ix her ¢ yoar——— . “Ab! is she 00 old eb that?” deld the Dake, “But as you até award, I have seen LS YS AS Le a CD Ae ee i Ee eo Om Sr OE oe gare Geeta ats Qe ete EE Tents Oo cern (COL ( C) DOO CS (COL