The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 328: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. look, that it was impossible to doubt her sin- ceri a now,” she asked, “are there any other particulars which I oan give you ?” “None, my lady,” responded the constable, after a few moments’ reflection. “Of course,” she went on to my, “you will keep to yourself all that I have been telling you: for my daughter-indaw is dotingly attacked to :. you, a cxseotingly wo Therefine, to you, she is jealous. if she heard that my son had ever been engaged in such a Maieos with an opera-dancer, she would be very unhappy; and inasmuch as these circum- stances cannot really have the slightest connexion with any clue to the discovery of the assassins of those unfortunate women, it would be @ mere wanton infliction of pain upon certain members of my family—indeed, upon us all—if the particulars were flung abroad to be caught up by the greedy tongue of scandal.” “Your ladyship may depend upon my discre- tion,” responded the constable, as "he rote to take his departure. At this moment strange sounds reached the ears of Lady Saxondale and the constable—ejaculations loud and vehement—hurried and excited crivs, as if the castle were on fire, or as if an attack were being made by banditti and the household were being summoned to resistance. Her ladyship started up with some suspicion of a new calamity: the constable listened with all his ears, as if think- ing that euch a disturbance must more or less re- gard his own official functions. Suddenly the door of the library burst open; and Lacilla, rushing fn, exclaimed, © Ob, my lady thicves — robbere — burglars—murderers— tapestry-roome 1” Lady Saxondale'’s vague suspicion was thus con- firmed in a moment; arid she grew pale as death. That she should do so, by no means unnatural either to Lucilla or the constable,— consideting the announcement wiiich was thus abruptly made: but little did they comprehend the real reason which she had for being so affrighted. “Thieves?” ejaculated the officer: azd he sprang te the door. Lady Saxondale, quickly recovering her vself- possession, —or rather startled into it by the sudden consciousness of come new and frightful They hur- and in one of the diverging corridors, some of the sorvante were speeding : Edmund and Adelaide, pre- viously alarmed by the cries, had issued forth from the drawing-room. “What is it? what is it?” they domanded, as if speaking in one breath, and in a very excited manner : though Porbape the young nobleman was far more alarmed than his “Thieves |” oried Lucille, wi who had followed Lady Gazondale and the constable. -rooms, my lord!—im the ar enty “Toms, my lady!” ejaculated one of the “The steward, the butler, and several cthere have shouted for eatitance fron, the peamage windows on the western side!” Edmund rushed back into the drawing-room— snatched up a poker—and coming forth again, faliowed the rest towards the tapestry-roozs, aed " 826 taking good care however to be as much in the rear as possible: for, as the reader is already aware, he was very far from being the bravest person in existence. As for Adelai olaide—she, much more courageous, had fallen into the stream,— Keeping pace with the constable and her mother- in-law. From this hurried description, an idea may be formed of the confusion and excitement which prevailed; and when we add that several of the pervants carried lights in their hands, which flamed and oscillated as they were borne rapidly along, it may be well conceived that the spectacle was altogether calculated to sustain that sensation of wild interest and alarm. The constable, rushing onward, soon outstripped’ most of the domestics: Iady Saxondale kept close behind him: and Ade- laide was not far distant. In this manner the corridors and were soon threaded; and as they entered the western side of the castle, the sounds of loud voices, speaking in an excited manner, and emanating from the chapel, guided them all thither. On entering that place, the spectacle which burst on the view of Lady Saxondale, was Chiffin the Cannibal struggling desperately with the steward, the butler, and two of the footmen. These four, however, had got too strong a hold upon him, and were maintaining their grasp too tenaciously, either to allow the riffian to escape, or to do them much harm. His heavy boots cer- tainly inflicted a few severe kicks upon their shins: but his arme were held fast—and when he endea- voured to butt at them, and even to bite, with all the ferocity of a savage beast, they were perfectly strong enough as well as sufficiently brave and resolute to retain him in their clutch. The head. constable, now darting forward, put an end to the fellow’s desperate struggles, by seizing his legs and thus causing him to fall heavily on the pavement of the chapel—a g which well nigh brough? down with equal force those who held him. No sooner was Chiffin the Cannibal thus pros trate, when handkerchiefs were promptly put is requisition to bind his limbs; and the ruffian was now overcome and powerless. As ho lay flat on his back, he cast his grim savage looks around: his eyes encountered those of Lady Saxondale ; and not quicker is the lightning-flesh athwart the sky, than was the plance which she flung upon him, significantly bidding him to remain quiet and hold his peace. There was promise in that look ; and the thought darted into Chiffin’s mind, that it would be much better for him to keep silent, and not proclaim to those present his acquaintance with her ladyship,—as by so doing, he would only convert her into an enemy, whereas she might pos- sibly serve him as a friend. “ Now, make the fellow sit up,” exclaimed the constable, “ while we determine how he is to be of: for I presume he was found as an intruder here, and is but little likely to give a good account of himself.” - The domestics lifted the Cemnibal up, and placed him on a stone bench against one of the walls. At this instant Lord Saxondale entered the chapel; and the moment his eyes lighted upon the Can- nibal, an ejaculation of astonishment escaped his lips: for he at once recognised the man who had delivered him from imprisonment at Dr. Ferncy’s (COL (C DOO CS (COL