The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

4 paratively tranquillized, he exerted all possible in- terest on my bebalf. But matters of this kind drag themecives slowly along in my native coun- try; and it was only a few weoks back that one morning my generous and weil-meaning relative brought mo the ennoyacement tha I had received on mel and that I was allowed to take possession of the large fortune whereof I have spoken. I myself would have asked no favour of those in power: but | li I wae not insane enough to reject the boons which procured for me. Besides, during my long imprisonment at Cadis, I had learnt sufficient of the true character of Don Carlos—I had I travolled alone, without ceremony, without attend- the object of my visi to Ragland that Tcnme as 8 suitor for your hand! That deemed me thus worthy of espousing her dearest friend—for such showed. She gave me certain information how to discover your residence on my arrival in Loadon— or at least she told me as much as she herself knew at the time upon the subject. I have been to the house which you have recently left—e picturesque little dwelling not fer from hence. There I found a female who had been your servant ; and she directed me hither. Now, Elizabeth, you know all, My narrative is ended—and my fate is in your hands. You have a word to speak—a word which will eather fill me with happiness, or condemn me to despair. I pray you that it may not be spoken imcondide- rately or rasbly. I come to lay my title and my fortune at your feet. I can give you rank and riches: but what is ten thousand times more valuable —I can give you a heart which never loved before is never love another! Now, Elisabeth, solemnly doe I conjure you to reflect that the life of a fellow- ereatare is in your hands *” “My lord,” answered the lady, in a low, soft voice,—and in a voice that was tremulous too,—“ if I were to tell you that I am insensible to ell these proofs of so much love on your part, I should be something less or more than woman. I pretend to be neither: and certainly I am not with- out a feeling of gratitude for this attachment which you have maintained tuwards me. But would you post- | have me wed where my heart is not won? Count —you might have gone to some far distant clime, without leaving a trace to guide me in the search : or even if you were in your own native land, it might still be impossible to discover you. I reached Dover; and accident led me to take up my tem- porary quarters at an hotel where you were known. The moment my name was wot unfavourably upon me when I confessed to her feeling of love——or at least not nous /” “What is your decision, Elisabeth ?” he asked. *'You have not pronounced it. Assuredly you have given me no hope: bat you have not consigned me to despair. Perhaps,” be added, with 0 lwok of mingied bitterness and apprehension, “you regard mo os o bandit—and yeu shrink at the ides of join~ ing your hand to mine?” “ No, no!” exclaimed Miss Paton, a convalsing tremor passing vividly through her entire form: for she felt visibly and keenly at the moment that upon this ground they were at least on an equal footing. “'You wrong me--—or rather, you do not understand me———no, you cannot! There—take my hand ia friendship! It is a proof that I do not shrink from you—that I have no right to do eo; but it is not given in love—because I will neither deceive myseif nor you by simulating a sentiment which I do not truly and faithfully experience.” There was something wild and full of impetuous emotions in her voice and manner—something aspect—as par- | she thus proffered her hand to the Spanish noble- man. He pressed it to his lips :—again and again he covered it with kisses; and it was not withdrawn, because Elizabeth had fallen into a mood of deep abstraction, and knew not rightly that this fair hand of hee’s was eo completely abandoted to him. But suddenly feeling the fervid warmth of those kisses, she withdrew it with an abruptaess that both startled and hart Count Christoval. Yes: his feelings were hurt—his heart was wounded—and he gased upon her m mingled surprise and reproachfulness. He gazed thus in surprise, because those vehement (COL (C DOO CS (COL