The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 320: what you’re looking at

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

yw a ie i EE aE | THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 817 you called me s viper,” said the young nobleman, unsble to resist the opportunity of giving vent to that vindictive spitefulness which wae natural to him, “and that is a name you have on more than one occasion flung at me. But, look you, mother! whatever I may be, I am not so “ Silence, Edmund—for heaven’s sake silence I” ejaculated her ladyship, her countenance once more becoming absolutely ghastly, and an expression of indescribable horror, mingled with anguish, sweep- ing over her features. “I am in your power— have mercy upon me! What more can I do than +; fulfil the promise I have already made you ?” “Well, keep to it—and I will say no more,” strong loathing— a deep sense of horror, at the thought of what she was; for as he himeelf had said, or had meant to say, he was not eo bad as to be enabled to con- template the darkest criminality unmoved or un- . dismayed. “ Edmund,” said Lady Baxendale, suddenly re- collecting something, and in affright from the idea which thus struck her, “have you ever mentioned to Adelaide anything about that dress P ——But, yes! I feel convinced you have—I am sure of it! From all she said when first I met her in London, she knew everything——far, far too much !” “Of course,” responded the young nobleman, | a with a sort of brutal roughness: “I told Adelaide all I knew—and it was natural enough, as you have been at war with me for some time past.” “Where is Adelaide? what can she be doing P wherefore does she not rejoin us?” exclaimed Lady Saxondale, sinking upon a seat, and feeling as if all the courage which had hitherto supported her, must now give way. “Go, Edmund—tell her to come hither at once ” But at this moment the door opened, and Ade- laide entered the room,—she having just come up from her conversation with Lucilla in the hall. The instant the handle of the door moved, Lady Baxondale with a mighty effort regained her out- ward composure: for she knew not whether it might be one of the servants who was about to enter. But when Adelaide made her ap her ladyship’s eyes were quickly flung upon her countenance, as if to glean from thence how much her danghter-in-law knew—how much she sus- pected—and how she intended to bear herself in the matter. Adelaide closed the door; and ad- vancing straight up to Lady Saxondale, said in a voice of firm severity, “Now, will you have the kindness to take up the thread of the discourse where it was just now interrupted P” “It is unnecessary,” answered Lady Saxondale. “ Unnecessary P” ejaculated Adelaide, a smile of scornful triumph for a moment appearing upon her lips : “why has it beoome unnecessary? On the contrary, it is more than ever that you should reveal that secret to which you so solemnly and seriously alluded; inasmuch as ander existing erm ee wee i: pong, «om, circumstances, it behovee us all to be made aware of the position in which we stand with regard te one anot “Tt is needless, I repeat,” rejoined Lady Saxon- dale. “ Ask Edmund—he will tell you that he is satisfied with the arrangemente entered into be- tween us.” “Madam,” resumed Adelaide, fixing a deter- mined look upon Lady Saxondale, “ your son cannot trust you—nor can I, as his wife, trust you. You spoke of s secret the revelation of which might, if you chose, in a moment bring down the whole fabric of woalth, titles, and honours crashing and tumbling about our ears-——”’ “It was a menace—and I recall it,” said Ledy Saxon quivering trom we oe then in a sort of desperation, she exclaimed, “I am beaten, Adelaide—I renounce the warfare! Henceforth I leave you both unmolested—I will go hence—— What more can you demand P” “We demand nothing more—it is precisely what we want. But,” continued Adelaide, “we have no guarantee that your present demeanour is not assumed for the purpose of throwing us off our guard, the better to carry out fresh perfidies. Now, look you, Lady Saxoiidale! Between you and me it is diamond cut diamond: and for the interests of your son, which are identical with mine own, we must come to a thorough understanding. Have you forgotten all the revelations which Lord Harold Staunton so unconsciously made to me on that evening when in the dusk of the apertment at Saxondale House he mistook me for yourself P’” “ T have forgotten nothing, Adelaide,” exclaimed Lady Saxondale, again quivering all over; “and there is no need for you to refresh my memory in a single particular. Edmund, - ‘tell her that you are satisfied ; and let this cease. und will permit me,” continued Adelaide, “to“lace matters fo ough « footing that henoeforth he need not fear you. Listen, Lady Saxondale— do not interrupt me. On that evening to which I have alluded, when Lord Harold Staunton ad- dressed me under the impression that he was to you, he made reference to some deed which had mysteriously but terribly knitted your destinies together; and that deed which I compre- hended not then, I understand sow / Lord Harold Staunton was an inmate of this castle at the time when——- “ Adelaide,” murmured the unhappy Lady Sax- ondale, the very picture of abject humiliation and wretchedness,—“I have already be- sought Edmund to spare me: to you do I address’ the same prayer.” “You understand, then,” said Adelaide, coldly implacable, “that you are in my power. Attempt but a renewal of hostilities against us—make but a sign which shall raise a suspicion that you are still full of perfidy—and——_—” “No more !” almost shrieked forth the miserable woman, as she started from her chair. “I un- derstand you—and I will henceforth be your slave, if you will!” With these words she qujtted the room: and repairing to the bed-chamber which she was wont to occupy when at the castle, gave way to thoughts and feelings which may perbaps be betier under- stood than described. COLL (C DOO CS (GO)