The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

150 THS MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. under-tone, he said to himself, “I think if my uncle going to reproach you for that little business which had known this, he would not have sent me to took place at Evergreen Villa, when I found you travel on the Continent, for fear I might fall nwith concealed in poor Emily’s bed-chamber—— Wasn't it Lady Saxondale, and marry her yet. But there is a shocking thing that she should have met her death no fear of that !”—and the young nobleman’s coun- in such away? But by the bye, now that I recob tenance again darkened into sinister gloom. lect, you were in Lincolnshire at the time— “ What are you muttering to yourself?” inquired were staying at the Castle. Did suspicion light Edmund. upon any persons in particular? I fancy not, from “ Nothing—nothing,” quickly responded Staun- what I read in the papers.” ton. “But now tell me about yourself. Are you “I knew but little about it,” answered Harold, in ahurry to get back to England? Can’t you, for turning half aside to knock the long ash off his cigar. old acquaintance’ sake, remain here a day or two “The fact is, I was confined to my bed at the time and bear me company?” by a very severe and dangerous fall I had from a “Impossible! The truth is,” continued Edmund, heorse—one of Hawkshaw’s horses, too. But to with a véry mysterious look and in a confidential return once more to this lady of your’s——I am manner, “I am travelling with a lady——Ah! my not indiscreet enough to propose to thrust myself dear Harold, such a conquest I have made! Never upon your privacy——” in all your life have you seen such a splendid crea- “ No—it wouldn't do,” quickly rejoined Edmund. ture! Forgive me for saying that she is much “ You ese, we have not known each other long; and bandsomer than your sister Florina——<And by the eo it is natural we should like to be together as bye, now I understand how it was that that med- much as possible—and she has conceived such a dling old humbug Gunthorpe, as I supposed him to passionate fondness towards me——” be—but the Marquis of Eagiedean as you tellme, “Oh! quite natural, no doubt!” ejaculated Lord he really is—broke off that match between Florina Harold, with another half-repressed sneer, but and me.” ‘which Edmund still failed to perceive. “I repeat “ And do you know, Edmund,” said Lord Harold, that I do not seek to force myself upon you. I am “on whom my uncle purposes to bestow Florina’s only asking about the lady on account of old friend- hand? On that very William Deveril——” | ship with you and through passing curiosity. I hope “With whom you had the duel—the painter on | it will bea good match for your sake ;—and knowing ivory—and to whom my mother took such a fancy ! | what an experienced fellow you are in the ways of Is it possible? And I was jilted by Florina for such the world, I have no doubt you are taking good care a fellow as that! and your uncle preferred a beg- of yourself in the matter.” garly artist instead of a young nobleman like me,| “ Yes—I believe that I am tolerably wide awake,” with rank and fortune, and who traces his descent |! observed Edmund, complacently stroking his beard- from the Tudors!” ! lees chin. “ A person must get up rather early in the « & descent from the Tudors is perhaps avery fine ' morning to take me in. But of ovurse it is improper thing, Edmund,” responded Harold, with a half- to adegree, as well as ridiculous, to speak thus in re- subdued ironical smile; “ but it is not the less a fact spect to a lady of rank, distinction, and fortune— that my uncle prefers the ivory-painter as a husband | the widow of a General in the French army and a for his niece: and what is more, my aunt Lady | Peer of France.” Macdonald appears to be of the same way of think- | “ Ah! then your phoenix and paragon is a French ing. But about this lady of your's? Do you mean ' lady P”’ observed Harold. that it is a conquest in the shape of a mistress——” | “No—she is an English lady; but she mar- “No—Oh no! She is a paragon of virtue—a ried the French General—and he died a couple of very phanix of perfection——” | years ago.” “ And yet you tell me that you are travelling with | “Well, it does look a straightforward affair,” this paragon and phonix,” observed Lord Harold. said Harold. “But would it be indiscreet to in- “I presume therefore that she has her parents with quire her ladyship's name ?*’ her P”” | | “The Baroness de Charlemont,” rejoined Saxon- “No: her parents are dead—she has no relations, ' dale. either to protect her or interfere with her—she isa’ “The Baroness de Charlemont?” echoed Staun- widow. But of course she has her maid with her— ton in amasement: but Edmund fancied it to be and I have my valet; and therefore it is all respect- in admiration of the eughonious grandeur of the able and straightforward enough.” | title. “ And you intend to marry her?” observed Harold ' At this moment the waiter accosted him, with a interrogatively, his haughtily handsome lip at the hasty announcement that dinner was served up, and same time slightly wreathing with a sneer. that his presence was awaited. He accordingly cja- “Of couree I do!” exclaimed Edmund; “and I culated forth a hurried “ Farewell” to Lord Harold ; consider myself the happiest of men. I tell you and broke away from him, as the latter attempted again, Staunton, that in loveliness of person she is to detain him. unrivalled. Poor Emily Archer was nothing toher. “ Well, let the silly fool have his own way,” mut- Ah! you may well look queer when I mention the tered Staunton to himself: and lounging up the “ How, queer? what do you mean?’ demanded Half-an-bhour afterwards he saw Lord Saxondale Harold, with a sudden start: and the expression hand the Baroness de Charlemont into the car- of his countenance was certainly very peculiar at riag : but not choosmg to exhibit any curiosity the moment. to obtain a nearer view of the lady—whom indeod “ Now don’t annoy yourself in respect to the past, he had never before seen, but only heard of—he my dear Staunton,” replied Saxondale. “Iwas not continued at a distance, The vehiclo rolled out of COMMUC DOO CS (COL