The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 314: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. would again steal upon him—the same as those he had experienced when they were at Saxondale House; and as his mind became more and more desponding, those vague apprehensions grew more potent. Thus, by the time two short weeks had elapsed, Edmund felt that he could endure this monotony of existence no longer. It had already become insupportable. Adelaide, who watched him constantly, failed not to comprehend what was passing within hin; and she saw that it would be useless for her to endeavour to keep him in that seclusion any longer. Another consultation was i held ; and Edmund vowed that he would dare al] dangere and goup to London. Adelaide that it would perhaps be more prudent to return to the castle. There they could not possibly be taken by surprise, if a good look-out were kept: the domestics of the household were numerous—and the emissarics of a mad-doctor, instead of accomplishing their purpose, might be plunged for their pains into the Trent. Besides, Edmund might find amongst the gentry around some httle society: for Adelaide thought that, in the country, persons would be less particu- lar than in London, and that the seal with which English people pay homage to a lord would induce them to turn a deaf ear to any flying rumours which might be in circulation with regard to the said lord’s wife. Moreover, now that the first impres- sions of alarm in respect to the mad-house had passed away, neither Edmund nor Adelaide much fancied that Lady Saxondale wamld revert to the same proceeding. At all events, they could be upon their guard, as before said; and one of the first steps to be taken on their return to the castle, might be to write a letter to her ladyship, advising her for her own sake to abstain from hostilities in future, unless she wished an open warfare to ari:6 and certain unpleasant revelations to be made in respect to herself. Under all these circumstances therefore, the result of the consultation was a resolve to retrace their way to Saxondale Castle. They set out— they travelled by easy s i¢ was on 4 dark December evening that they once more crossed the threshold of the castellated mansion. When Edmund again found himself seated in the spacious, handsomely furnished, and weil lighted dining- room—at a board served with a succulent repast, and the choicest wines sparkling upon the table— he felt as blithe and happy as a school-boy on his first day at home for the holidays. Nor was Adelaide herself sorry to be once more in that palatial residence—with troops of servants at her command—equipages ready at her bidding—and the treatment she experienced being that of a lady of title. On the second day after their return—and at about eleven in the forencon—as Edmund and Adelaide were deliberating together how they should while away the time till dinner, a post-chaise rolled up to the gate of the castle. In a few minutes one of the domestics who had received special instructions to be on the look out, hurried up to the room where Edmund and his wife were seated. The man rushed in somewhat uncere- moniously, to announce that Lady Saxondale had t arrived. “I will not see her!" exclaimed Edmund, start- Sil ing to his feet from the sofa on which he was lounging by Adelaide’s side. “Is her ladyship alone?” inquired his wife: and on receiving an answer in the affirmative, she said ina hurried whisper to her husband, “ Yes, let us see her. Perhaps she comes to propose some terms? Abs all events if she be alone, she is harmless.” “Well then, we will see her,” cried Edmund aloud: and the domestic hastened away. In a few minutes the door was thrown open; and Lady Saxondale made her appearance. She looked somewhat pale and haggard from excite- ment of mind and body—but yet not so much “T have Lady Saxondale, in a voice that was coldly and as severe as her looks; “and it was only at an.early hour this morning I learnt that you had returned two days ago to the castle.” “Well, mother,” cjaculated Edmund, with ry such a parent deserved, and indeed might expect on the part of such a son,—“ what business is it of your’s when we come or when we go? Now, I just tell you my mind. Your conduct towards me has been shameful; and if I were to lock you up for the next six months on bread and water, in one of the ta chambers, or even in the chapel iteelf, I should be only serving you right. However, you had better take care what tricks you play me in future: for I vow and protest that I will pay you off in a coin you won't like!” ‘Cease this impertinence,” said Lady Saxon- dale, in a peremptory tone. “ But’ you, madam,” exclaimed Adelaide, now firing up, “ must fully comprebend that you are not permitted to give yourself these airs in our presence.” “ And you, madam, understand,” returned Lady Saxondale, drawing herself up with the haughtiest dignity, “that you are both of you only in this castle by sufferance—that for the present it is mine, or at least under my control—and that the domestics will obey whatecever order I choose to give them.” “There may be two words to that!” exclaimed Edmund. “If you like to try it on, mother, we will just ring the bell; and when I order the first footman who comes, to turn you out, we will see whether I am obeyed or not.” “I wae fully prepared for some such insolence as (COL (C DOO ii a» - —. -.— aie _ CS (COL