The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 237: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE Cour. and holy while prompting him who possessed it te trample upon all the scruples of conscience ! “My dear friend—my ever dear friend,” ex- claimed Lady , In a tone of joyous enthuses when she saw how completely he was anguished, “you have inspired me with new life. Oh, I must embrace you as a friend —only as a friend !”” “No, Harriet,’ responded the physician, ab- ruptly rising and retreating from her - “it must not be so. To me at least you shall never appear in the ight of a wanton. But now with regard to thet unfortunate young man. This morning I have discoursed with him for a long time; and on my soul! it were unjust to keep him captive for another minute.” “What!” ejaculated Lady Sexondale; “after this mad alliance which he has formed ———” “ And yet he is not mad,” answered Ferney. “ He és mad, I tell you!” rejoined her ladyship vehemently: “even your Own science may some- tames err. At all events I conjure you to keep him for a day or two until I shall have had time to see those who must be consulted in this matter. My dear friend, you must do nothing by halves: my interests guide me in all my proceedings——I will explain no more now. You have promised me much: is it too great a tax upon your friend. ship——”’ “Good heavens!” murmured Ferney, almost wringing his hands as he spoke; “if you bade me eell my soul to Satan, I should obey! Edmund ehall remain captive at my house.” With these words the physician turned abruptly away, and quitted the room. The moment the door closed behind him, an ex- pression of exultant satisfaction appeared upon the countenance of Lady Saxondale, and rising from her seat, she surveyed herself in the mirror. She had indeed good reason to be proud of her ificent beauty ; for by the power thereof she had triumphed over all the virtuous scruples of a man who was naturally good, but who under the influence of his fatal love was prepared to sell his very eoul to Satan rather than harm « hair of her Bat when turning away from that mirror, and when the first flush of thrilling exultation was past, Lady Saxondale could not help feeling—and deeply feeling too—that many and great difficulties lay before her. It was impossible that Edmund could be left at Dr. Ferney’s. His presence there would sooner or later re-awaken remorse in the physician’s conscience ; and the next time it was 20, he might go and act at once under a sudden impulee, and without first coming to warn her of his intentions. Edmund must therefore be re- moved. But whither? This Lady Saxondale at present knew not. She however made up her mind to call personally on Dr. Burdett, and give him her own instructions without sending them h Marlow. Fors few days, she felt con- vinced, it would be safe enough to leave Edmund where he was: and in the meantime she could make new as well as effective arrangements for his future keeping. —“EP lis <2 ap 2 = = CHAPTER CXXXV. 4 CHAPTER OF LOVE Om the same day, and at the same hour when the preceding scene took place, we shall find the beau- tiful Angela Deveril seated by the bedside of Bomers at the villa near the Regent's Park. a result of the ali but fatal illness which had foi-: lowed the murderous assault she had sustained at the hands of Chiffin the Cannibal. And, Oh! what a contrast did that counte after | nance form with the lovely face of her who was watching in the room. For Angela was assuredly the most lovely of all the lovely females who have crowded upon the stage of this narrative; and certainly the world never presented a more ravish- ing embodiment of female charms. The dark it were the shape and eet of the corsage of that drees Tall and slender, without leanness —on the contrary, with all the rtions justly modelled—her figure blended elastic litheness with gracefal elegance. No now did the short and perhaps a caught of the delicate sloping shoulders. As the light from the window fell upon that hair, it seemed to crown that heed as with a glory, so rich was the velvet gloss of those dark masses. The dassling purity and of her complexion was described in one of the earliest chapters: nor lees was justice then done to the large dark eyes, so full of fire,-— not the fire of sensuous passion, like that which floods the saloons of pleasure; but a fire, holy, pure, and ineffably bright, like that which burns upon an altar in a temple. Yes—ravishingly beautiful and beyond all description lovély, was Angela Deveril—but not less amiable and virtuous than physically enchanting. If we peep into the room on the occasion spe- cifically mentioned, we shall observe that there was a slight expression of pensiveness, not exactly merging into mournfulness, on the lovely counte- nance of Angela Deveril. The coral lips were slightly apart, affording a glimpee of teeth which it is a poor simile to liken either unto ivory or to pearls; for they outshone both,—the first in the ward,—thus showing to the utmost advantage the lines of long, thick, silken lashes which fringed them. Yes—sehé was somewhst seri- ously perhaps, but not in a melancholy strain : for the young heart, when beating with ite first love, has more of hope than fear blended therewith ; and even while scarcely conscious of the real na- > Q@m oe oe - 7 Cee 4 a=» Re eee eee ee ese (COL (C DOO CS (COL