The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 186: what you’re looking at

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THK MYSTERIES. And sho endeavoured to wrest the cat from Fernanda’s grasp. * Be quiet —I command you!” exclaimed Miss Aylnver. “ We shall disturb the housze——” “True — my God!” murmured the midwife, falling back into her chair. At the same moment the cruel and merciless young lady fureed the orifice of the bottle into the cat's mouth; and poured a considerable quantity of the fluid down its throat. Then, rising sud- dunly from her seat, she let the animal drop upon the rug, where it lay motionless; and tho atmes- phere of the room was impregnated with a strong odour of almonds. “ Now are you satisfied?” demanded Mrs. Liad- 1-y, In a tone of gloomy rage. ‘ The poor animal was killed fo a moment—as if struck by light- ning.” ‘“ f am sorry that I should have deprived you of a favourite, my good friend,” responded Fernanda, almost guily—so pleased was she at the result of fcr experiment: “but I can assure you that I am much happier now that I have acquired the cer- tainty of consummating my vengeance at any moment. Farewell, Mrs. Liudley : you-need fear nothing.” ° “Will you not see your fiiend Caroline ‘Walters, before you loave ?” inquired the midwife. “Not this cvening—not this evening,” answered Miss Aylmer, impatiently : “I am in too great a liurry tou sco your relative, William Dudley.” The young lady then tvok her departure. As soon as she was gone the midwife lifted the dead cat from the rug: and as she did this, a heavy sigh escaped from her breast. For this infernal old hag. who held buman life as naught, and who with- out compunction could cast a new-born child to tl.e deep waters of the Thames,—this fiendish wretch found her heart moved to compassion by tl:e fate of a favourite cat! Nay, more—she de- s-cnded into her back kitchen; and raising a stone ‘ith some sharp instrument, she dug a hole with a fire-shovel, and interred the cat then and there. And as she threw back the earth, a tear fell from her eye: for she remembered how the huge ln-ast had loved her, and how it was wont to yourr when glie caressod it. But never, when mak- ig away with an infant babe, had the vile old hurridan paused to reflect how eweotly it would suile and how prettily ita little chin would wreathe into dimples, if it were only permitted to live! ¥Yes—it was with all the solemnity of a funcral, anart from the prayers and the coffin, that the cetestable midwife thus buried her great black ent ;—and let not the reader wunder at this inci- c.ut, nor deem it exaggerated—for not many years have elapsed since that mighty hero, the valorous Field-Marshal Prince Albert, interred his dug Eos with almost Christian obsequies in the grounds attached ¢o Windsor Castle! liaving disposed of the corpse of her cat, Mrs. Lindley returned to the parlour and sat down to refcct upon the dangers which she was likely to incur frum the new step that Fernanda Aylmer was taking. At length her fears increased to such an extent, that she was resolved to adopt sume energetic proceeding in order to warn Arthur Eaton of his danger. Her measures were soon derided upon. She would repair at once to Lord Marchmont's man- sion and obtain an interview with that nobleman’s 175 son. But then, might she not encounter her relation, William Dudley ?—and, allured by the gold of Fernanda Aylmer, would not this indi- vidual betray to the young lady the circum- stance of the old midwife's visit ? Yos :—this was a difficulty, however, that was not insurmountable; and, opening her desk, Mra, Lindley penned the following letter :— “Tam walting in a hackney-conch close by. If you value your safety come out and speak to me. I have something of the utmost importance to communicate, Bat you must not allow William Dudley to learn that I am 80 near. “Taz Mrowire or Fors Srrest." Having scaled this letter, she addressed it in a feigned hand to the Hon Arthur Eaton, writing the word ‘ Private” on the envelope. Then, muffling herself up in a cloak, the hood of which she drew over her head, Mrs. Lindley sallied forth—took a hackney coach at the nearest stand —and ordered the driver to proceed to Hanover Square. In due time the vehicle stopped according to her instructions, within a short distance of Lord Marchmont’s mansion; and the coachman de- livered the note at the front door. Several mi- nutes elapsed, during which Mrs. Lindley remained in torturing suspense. Mr. Eaton might not be at home—perhaps he would not return until very late—and, in this case, what was she todo? The murder might be accomplished before morning ; and justice might eventually trace out her com- plicity in the deed ? But these reflections were suddenly interrupted by. the appearance of the Hon. Arthur Eaton ; and Mrs. Lindley, leaning forward so that her lips almost touched his ear at the window of the vehicle, said ina low, hoarse whisper, ** Fernanda has been with me this evening—and she is re- solved upon your death. A poison which kills its victim as if he were struck by a thunderbols, is in “her possession ; and she will not scruple to use it.” “JT thank you sincerely—most sincerely for this information,” answered Mr. Eaton, in the same subdued tone. ‘ Now you have given mea proof of better feelings on your part—and you shall not repent your altered conduct. Farewell.” With these words ho hurried back into the man- sion; and the veliicle immediately drove away. CHAPTER L. THE POISONERS. It was midnight—deep midnight, as proclaimed by all the clocks in the vast metropolis; and a pro- found silence reigned throughout the mansion of Lord Marchmont in Hanover Square. But, hark!—a door, slightly creaking on its hinges, opens on one of the upper storeys; and a man, who has not laid aside his clothes, nor thought of retiring to his couch, comes forth. He beara in one hand a candle, which he shades with the other; and the light shines upon the counte- nance of William Dudley. There ig ap unnatural pallor upon those cheeks usually florid and healthy: a sinister gleaming ap- pears in the eyes that sare wont to have so moek and placid an expression !—and the whole aspect of the man denotes a troubled mind, COMIC OO© SS