The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 20: what you’re looking at

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THE MYATERIES OF THY COURT. 7 Elisabeth Paton awoke from her reverie: she was startled up by a new thought which had sud- denly flashed in unto her mind. Was it that she dreaded tc reveal to Count Christoval the one pas- eage in her own life’s history which assimilated her evadition unto his? No: for this she would reveal to him unreservedly and frankly———-aye, and even if necessary, with an eagerness which should prove to him that he need never blush in her presence when retrospecting over the incidents of his own career. What then was it which startled her thus? It was the recollection that she had been married to Villebelle. True, she had surrendered up the documents which she had held in proof of this marriage: but was there not the record thereof in the register at the British Embassy at Paris? True tikewise, that the Marquis of Villebelle had married another: but was it not this latter marriage which was void? and was not the former une valid ac- cording to the laws of man? And then, too, her father, the Marquis of Eagledean—would he for a moment consent that she should contract another marriage, even though he might approve of the Spanish nobleman as a suitor and furget the worst portion of his antecedents? These reflections were gloomy enough. But suddenly the light of hope flashed in upon them. Had not her father enjuined that she should resume her maiden name of Elisa- beth Paton? and im issuing this command, was it not virtually and effectually ignoring that former marriage? Was is not blotting out as much as possible the of that mock-ceremony? Yes: it must be conjectured—it must likewise be hoped —that such was the idea which the Marquis of Eagiedean had entertained when bidding his newly found daughter resume her maiden name. Did Elisabeth upon this occasion resolve to fulfil her promise speedily, and write to Count Christoval ? No: she determined to wait a few days—to examine Diego, in order that she might be in a positivn to deliberate for the future? And now aruse in her mind the transient fear that Christoval might recoil from her when he learnt that episode in her life which had struck her as so peculiarly assimilating their positions. But no: this epprehension was evancecent indeed—for she knew that the Count’s love was potent beyond the exercise of any volition on his part— amounting to an idolatry over tho romantic infatuation of which he held not the slight- est control ! On this fourth morning, then, she, penned a brief note to Don Diego Ohristoval—to the effect that she would meet him at seven o'clock in the evening at a pertiouler spot, which she described, and which he eould not fail to eomprebend, as he must have passed that way both coming aad returning on the evening of their first interview. Throughout that dey Eliza- beth preserved the eame external calmness as hitherto. She had no fear of being prevented from keeping the appointment by any proposal on the part of Frank or Adolphus to accompany her on an evening walk. For we must here observe that both she and Frank were giving Adolphus lessons on euch branches of education as he had experienced no opportunity of pursuing since he was twelve years old, on account of his long captivity from that date of his life, at Beeeh-Tree It was imme- diately after breakfast that Elisabeth took her turn to instruct him; and in the evening, after dinner, Frank became the friendly tutor. Thus was it that Elisabeth felt assured of being enabled to go forth alone and meet Dun Diego Christoval. But did she not refloct that perhaps she was acting in a way of which her father would disapprove? This idea hal not escaped her consideration: but she had reeulved that the interview about to take piace should be the last until the return of the Marquis of Kagiodeaa. Indeed,’ she sought this interview for the purpose still more minutely and deliberately into the condi- | of assuring herself thas Christoval would still con- tion of her heart. But this was not so easy as she | tinue in the same mind towards her after he had at first fancied. She composed her looks in such a : learnt the one evil episode in her life. It was neces- manner that when Alice, her maid, entered the! sary she should arrive at a certainty on thie sab- chamber to assist at the morning toilet, she saw hot ' ject before she made any communication to the that there was anything peculiar on the part of her Marquis in respect to the appearance of the Spanaird mistress; and throughout that day, too, did Elisa. ! feelings in the neighbourhood, and her own altered beth Paton so bear herself that neither her brother | towards him. nor Adolphus observed aught unusual or different| The spot which she had appointed for the inter- in her demeanour. The next day it was the same. | View, was about half-a-mile from the mansion, and Bat all this while there was a rapidly i in a somewhat secluded lane. Thither she proceoded love springing up in the soul of Elisabeth Paton. 8¢ the hour specified: and now her beating heart, The spirit had gone forth over the hidden waters of her throbbing temples, and the flushing which ebe her heart: they had sparkled and bubbled up’! felt upon her cheeks, afforded additional evidence: quickly—the springs of the fountain were opened— | to those she had previously acquired that her feel- and each fresh thought that they engendered gave | ings had indeed undergone an immense change in @ new impulse to their flow. she been ten | respect to Count Christeval. years younger, she would have taken as many days| The moment she appeared in the lane, she beheld —perhaps as many weeks—to comprehend what ' him hastening—almost flying, towards her. He love was, as now it required hours to endow her approached with anxious looks of suspense, seeking with its fullest experience. And thus, during these to read upon her countenance the fat of his destiny. two days, she felt a growing inclination to accord the Ob! love has a wondrous prescience—a marvellous handsome Spaniard the promised interview. The power of penetration!—an electric spark seems to third day passed—and the struggle to restrain her- fly from heart to heart, revealing in 9 moment as self from ing the lines which should bring that much as it would take minutes or hours for words interval about, was maintained with a greater diffi- to make known. Between two hearts that love, and culty. On the fourth morning she asked herself though communicating thas by that mateal and wherefore she should delay it any longer? and what mystic intuition, there is as rapid an exchange of P reason there was why she should not come to a | thought as between the two extremities of the clec- speedy explanation concerning herself with Don trie telegraph—<hus ‘outstripping hy an almost | weep view DOOKS,.CO (C (COL