The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 301: what you’re looking at

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

——_——— =~-— ~~ — 298 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. morning-wrapper, somewhat more open at the bosom than was consistent with modesty: the luxuriant masses of her raven hair floated over her half-naked shoulders; and her large dark eyes swam in a delicious languor, as she smilingly welcomed the Viscount’s presence. The logs crackled and blazed in the fire-place: the atmo- sphere of the apartment was warm and slightly perfumed. Though not yet mid-day, the appear- ance of that voluptuous creature and the ° fragragpe which seemed to breathe around her, aade hour appear as fitted for the blandishments of love as if night were upon the earth, the curtains were drawn, and the lamps lighted. “You are later than usual, my dear Jules,” said Augusta, as he placed himself on the sofa by her side and encircled her waist with his arm. “ Ah! and I perceive that something has troubled you,” she added, her taper fingers pushing back the masees of naturally curling hair from over the high forehead of that youthful countenance which was so fine a specimen of masculine beauty. “Tell me, dearest Jules,”"—and she imprinted a glowing kiss upon his cheek,—“ what is it that has annoyed you P”’ “ Augusta,” he replied, with the suddenness of a resolve taken in a moment, “I cannot lead this ; life any longer! I cannot divide my time between you and my wife: my heart is Aere—and I am wearied of playing the dissembler there. It is e cruel and unjust towards every one: cruel and unjust towards you——cruel and unjust towards my wife—cruel and unjust towards myself! No, I can endure it no longer! I must be all in all to you, as you are all in all 4o me——I will leave no more !”” ‘Tell me, dear Jules, what has taken place,” nese upon her paramoun “ Have you had words with the Viscountess ?” “Words?” he ejaculated: “henceforth I feel that we ahall always have words, if we continue to live together! It cannot be! It is impossible that I can receive her caresses only to repulse them that is a part my better feelings will not longer allow me to play. No, IT cannot! Much rather would I break with her at idly confess to her that I love another—and beseech her not to interfere with my happiness!” While he was thus speaking, Mre. Chesterfield drooped her head upon his breast; and as her countenance was thus concealed from him, an ex- pression of triumphant satisfaction ¢hereon,—as if she felt that she had now was naught but a delusion end a snare ! “What would you do?” she asked, assuming @ low tremulous voice: “would you precipitate matéers ?” “There ean be no rash precipitation,” he ex- claimed, “in doing that which has now become ——— imperative. I must either renounce you er my wife. I cannot renounce you, my Augusta, whom I love so devotedly: but I will renounce her whom I love not and have never loved. The world must know it at length: but the world shall say I have not been unjust towards her. I will give her half my fortune: the remaining half will leave me still rich—amply rich enough for you and me to live in comfort, and even in “Then do you mean, my beloved Jules,” asked Augusta, “that we are to live openly together henceforth—that the necessity for secrecy shall exist no more—that caution shall no longer be used ?” vehemently. “Do you object, Augusta? do you still tremble at the idea of all this coming to your husband's knowledge ?” “Candidly I do,” she answered, raising her head and looking him earnestly in the face. “You have something in your mind P’” he said : “ speak—what is it? Have I not sworn to be as a husband unto you ?—wherefore need you care for him who is absent? Have I not vowed to be a father for your expected babe P—what anxisty, then, can yon entertain for the fature welfare of your as yet unborn child? Speak, Augusta— speak candidly !” “Oh! it is all this,” she murmured, forcing tears from her eyes, “which troubles me and makes me wretched. It is only when you are with me that I am happy: because then I forget e virtuous past—the guilty present —the uncertain future! Bat when I am alone, a thousand terrors haunt me. I have a husband who is rich, and under whose care neither myself nor my expected offepring need ever tremble at the idea of want. It is not even now too late for me to take a step which will still leave me im that state of confidence! My husband need not know that I have been guilty—that I have dishonoured hrm: these people here are bribable; and you, as aman of honour, would never breathe to a soul’ what has taken place between us. But I must fly hence—I must see you no more !” P exclaimed the “Oh, wherefore this Viscount : “what have I done to deserve it? You poverty———Good heavens! am I not far richer than your husband, from all that you have told me? and can I not at any moment place you m a state of independence? Ah, I compre- bend !—your fears are natural, as the world goes; though in respect to me, they are not just. You fancy that my love may cool-——-” “ Remember, my dear Jules,” interrupted the syren, murmuringly, “the love of man is different from that of awoman. A woman may conceive 8 sadden passion, and yet cling to it devotedly for all the rest of her hife-time: but a man who loves entire being. But it is my aim and my ensure your happiness——Oh ! fall well do I ap- the immenaity of the sacrifice which you have already made for me, but which has still te be consummated! Now listen, Augusta; and you shall have proof that I love you—-you shall have proof toe that I am an honourable man !” CO IMULUG 5 DOO CS (COL