The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 309: what you’re looking at

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

® ® mae e THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. dare not mislead my friend on any account. It would be the death of his wife !” “Etienne, I implore you,” murmured ‘Juliana, ready to sink with shame and “eave me from exposure! Bemember that I always favoured your suit with my sister——” “2t cuts me to the very soul to harm a hair of your head—for Constance’s sake,” rejoinei the Marquis. “ But what am I to do P” “ Villebelle !”’ exclaimed the Viscount de Cha- teauneuf, suddenly turning round at this juncture and clutching his friend by the arm—for it was evident that the young nobleman was labouring under the most painful excitement: “tell me, wherefore has your sister-in-law sought this re- tirement. She is in a way to become a mother: has she a husband? does he hold an Indian ap- pointment? Tell me everything, I conjure you !” became deeply afflicted, that the Viscount de Chateauneuf had no need to have his questions answered in words. He read the responses on his friend's features; and they were damnatory of the woman who until within the last few minutes had exer- vised such a fascinating power and spell-like in- fluence over him. “Juliana,” he said, in a low and profoundly mournful voice, “I will not you. awake from a dream: but it was a dream which was delightful while it lasted—and I have to thank you for so much bliss. Happy is he who enjoys the fragrance of a flower in the ignorance that ite leaves may distil poison! No: I will not reproach you! But all is at an end between us!” “ No, no!” shrieked forthJuliana. “ Speak not these harsh words! It is a death-blow which you are dealing! I love you, Jules! On my soul I love you !———Heavens, he deserts me !”” The Viscount de Chateaunenf rushed precipi- tately from the room, in so excited a manner that he waited not even to speak another word to his friend Villebelle: nor did he pause upon the stairs to see whether this nobleman was following him. Juliana fiew to the window: the Viscount was speeding towards the gate——-Oh, for one look ! —that she might catch his passionately wave him back ! not his regards upon her, even for a single moment ! —the gate opened—he rushed through—it closed behind him: she beheld him no more! But let not the reader fancy that Juliana really loved the Viscount with a true sincerity of passion. No such thing. She had merely been playing a deep game, in order to secure to herself a lover and a fortune,—inasmuch as she was beyond the hope of obtaining a husband, and was moreover dependent in a pecuniary sense upon her mother’s . If she exhibited so much anguish, it was not altogether feigned: on the contrary, it was almost entirely genuine,—but not an anguish that. of on account of a lost love; it was the disappointment and rage at finding all the fabric of ber hopes thus dissipated in a single instant. Such an anguish as this lasted only so long as there was the slightest chance of bringing her victim back and regaining her empire over him : but when the garden-gate shut him out from her view, and she saw that all was lost, she grew sud- der ly calm. Sa ante OP Sf el “Etienne,” she said, turning ptly and flinging her flashing glances at her brother-in- law, “it is you that have done this!” “Not intentionally, Juliana'—on my soul, not intentionally!” he answered, while his looks still continued to indicate the deepest commiseration and sorrow. “Listen for a few moments while I explain——” | “There is to explain,” cried Julians petulantly: “the mischief is done—you have “There must be explanation,” said the ruined me !” my part—and that when I came hither, I had not the slightest notion of encountering you. I could not have foreseen it !” “ But wherefore,” demanded Miss Farefield, “that feigned name of Meurice ?” “That fei name of Meurice—I will explain the incident,” the is, serious and after some discourse it was be presented to her this day. Ij understand that, holding a high official appoint- ment—and for the bake of Constance likewise——” “Oh, I comprehend!” interrupted Juliana with bitterness: “ you did not choose to come under your own name to pey a visit to a kept mistress! Well,” she continued, in a somewhat milder man- ner, “it is at all events sati to know that this was not a vile trick nor a detestable stratagem, for my . “No!” ejaculated Villebelle : : “I would not for the world aggravate whatsoever sorrows and afflictions you may have already endured! But wherefore have you kept your dwelling a secret from Constance P You wntist b have known she was in Paris: you must have known likewise that she loves you—that ahe has yearned after you-—*” “Ktionne,” interrupted Juliana vehemently, “ ie it not but too evident that my pathway and that of my sister lie in different directions on the broad arena of the world? ‘You must not think that I am altogether so changed—so altered——so de- graded,” ahe added, her voice suddenly sinking ss she spoke the word; and the word itself being spoken with a painful effort,—“ as to be indifferent to what may be thought of me, or to be enabled to look those who know and love me, in the face without a blush. Etienne, I am unhappy: my ‘fortunes too are desperate. You know what hus happened in England: Constance likewise knows it :—and eould you think I should voluntarily seek you out? No: Ishould only be bringing upon my sister; and I am not bad enough to do Being compelled to renounce the idea of obtaining a husband But no matter! Let this interview end. Leave me!” “* But you will see Constance P” urged the Mar- quis. “It was only a few hours back that she was speaking of you with tears in her eyes; and ehe made me promise that if by any accident I should discover the place of your abode-——” “Then let Constance come to me this evening,” caid Juliana. “A few hours must elapse before (a aD (COL (C DOO CS (COL