The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 147: what you’re looking at

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140 patient, whom he found so happy in mind that her health was improving hour by hour— minute minute. The circumstances just referred to, had naturally produced their excitement; but it sp- peared not to be prejudicial to her ladyship: on the contrary, it seemed, as already stated, to inspire her with new life. And so it was. At the expiration of a week she was enabled to sit up for several hours in an easy chair: at the end of another week she was strong enough to quit her own suite of apartments and repair to the drawing-room. Need we say that the Rari of Castlemaine kept his word, and proved most kind—~most affectionate? or that he preserved the completest control over his temper? Indeed, his cure in this respect appeared to have been tho- roughly effected,—as if he only required the and most convincing proofs of his wife’s andivided and disinterested love to render him a happy man. His spirits rose: he experienced a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. English Ambassador at the French Court; and by Edmund who had visited this gay metropolis be- fore, and liked it well, was by no means sorry to have an opportunity of mingling again in ite Pp We will not pause to relate how he Lord and Lady Petersfield to the palace of the Tuileries and was received by the King and Queen of the French—nor how he was included in the in- vitations to the soirées at the British Ambassador’s mansion: but we will proceed to describe a circum. atance which led to results of no mean importance to himself. A grand subscription ball took place at the Odeon Theatre, on behalf of some charity connected with British residents abroad; and all the elite of the English aristocracy and gentry, at that time resi- dent in Paris, were present on the occasion. Lord and Lady Petersfield, together with Edmund and some other gentlemen of their suite, repaired to this gaiety which for years he had not known—a buoy- | ball. Tho pit of the theatre had been boarded over ancy of heart that rendered him another being. : to a level with the stage, so as to constitute « uni- Thus time wore on: the health of Lady Castlemaine ; form surface of flooring for the dancers: at least a was completely restored—the husband and wife | thousand persons, male and female, with every ceased to occupy separate suites of apartmentse— | variety of splendid toilet, were assembled there: the and the servants of the household were unfeignedly joiced to witness a reconciliation which not merely established the felicity of their noble master and mistress on @ sure foundation, but which set at rest to her ladyship’s honour. CHAPTER CXVI. THB LADY AT THE BALL. Iz will be remembered that Lord Petersfield was appomted to undertake, on behalf of the Govern- ment, a special mission to Vienna,—and that his ward, Lord Saxondale, was induced by many reasons of Lady Florina Staunton—his quarrel with Lord | orchestra was grand—the theatre was flooded with light—dancing was maintained with great spirit— and the spectacle was alike superb and exhila- rating. During a pause between the quadrilles—and pertnor to her seat, was lounging about alone, gazing upon the most beautiful of the fair sex with that half listless, half impudent stare which was partially affected and partially characteristic of the young man—he observed a lady enter, whose appearance he had not before noticed, and who indeed evidently only just arrived. Her beauty that dassling description which could not fail strike every beholder, and which made an instan- taneous impression upon Edmund Saxondale. She fulness of a Sylph.. Her toilet was elegant, anc Harold—the coldness with which he was regarded , tastefully adapted to her peculiar style of beauty. by the other young noblemen and gentlemen of his | Her hair was of that auburn hue which shines bright acquaintance —and the satiety wherewith he was! as gold where the light falls upon it, but seems like clogged in respect to the dissipated pleasures and , dark velvet where the shade remains. It flowed in debauched pursuits of London-life, had all combined i Edmund to take that step. He had " : T iy the passport into the highest and : c 4 | 3 anticipated; and after a residence of abou m Vienna, the embassy set out on its England. ' in the middle of the month of October and Ledy Petersfield, accompanied by Edmund, and attended by the other persons of their at one of the most fashionable hotels, they purposed to remain in the French capital for about a week, previously to continuing their journey homeward. Indeed, Lord Petersfield had received private in- order to confer on certain political matters with the F295 THE change of scene; and he knew that the bosom of voluptuous fulness. Her to an Ambassador Extraordinary | and of « delicious blue,—rnot the dark blue of the treeses and ringlets upon shoulders of dassling whiteness,—one or two stray curls resting-upon a were violet, nor the asure of the heavens,—but of the intermediate hue. They were soft and languishing, and had an expression of sensuousness when the lids were allowed to droop slightly. The forchead was not high—but it was of alabaster fairness: and clearnces of this lady’s complexion. The tint of the rose-bud was upon her cheeks, softening of tall imperceptibly blending with the lily fairness of the skin generally. Hor nose was slightly, but very alightly, aquiline: the mouth was amali—the lip curved like Cupid’s bow—the lower one fuller, rounded, and completed the oval of a face which would have been of faultless beauty if the fore= head were slightly more elevated. Even as it was, it would have been a monstrous festidiousness of (COL (C DOO CS (COL