The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 261: what you’re looking at

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“250 THE “WYSTERTES. was staggered by the fact that Eleanor’s deportment towards her husband was not that of 2 woman con- scious of her secret shame: nor was the Ear!'s be- haviour towards her that of a man who had any ‘reason to complain of his wife. On the contrary, he was most tender, affectionate, and devoted with regard to his beautiful Countess; whereas her conduct was somewhat capricious and versatile—at one time re- ciprocating his love, and at another being charaoc- terised by a coldness which she evidentiy tried to subdue, but could not. When he reflected upon these circumstances, he could not in any way reconcile them with the suppesition he had formed to aeeount for the fact of the Karl and Countess sleeping in separate apartments; and yet in no other manner was. he able to find a reason for this singular mode of life which they led, It was strange—most strange, that a man ia the pyme of his years and a - lovely: woman of ardent. temperament and glowing passione should practise a selfdepial as mmysterious as it was unnatural. .But we have observed that Rameey.had perceived that he himself was not displeaging to the Consstess and, uantindful of the generous. hospitality wiriah he: had received and was still receiving.xtthe Lends of}: the-Barl of Desborough,—forgetiyl of .hie.duty te- wards the nobleman who had promiyed #9 beeome hi friend.and patron, and who, with the moet admirable philanthropy, had undertaken to provide- for him in fature,— the treacherous gnest had elready.reselvéd upon the eeduction af. Eleanor ! With these few observations, we-requme the thread of our narrative. The heart of the Countess of Desborough was beating rapidly, and a rich carnation glow appeared beneath the transparent olive of her cheeks, as she entered the drawing-room where, as she had hoped and antjcipated, she found Ramsey alone. And he failed not to obwrvs that heightening colour and the trepidation of ber manneg as she ad- vaneed across the spacious apartment—ber rich dress, sweeping-the thick carpet on which her elastic steps scarcely left a visible impression. “Your ladyship took advantage of a-day un- usually fine at this season of the year,’ observed Rameey, as he made a low and graceful .bow on ac- costing the Countess. “ My beloved friend the Princess Sophia sent yes- | tetday to command me to wait upon her at s some- what early hour in the forenoon ta-day,’- nesponded, Eleanor; “and we paid a yisit ta the. Dughess of Devonshire. But how happens it, Mr. Wakefield,. that you have not also availed yourself of this glo- | rious sunshine ta breathe the freah air? _ A Jittle ex-. ercise would have benefitted. yon, after your. severe indtspositjon.”” | «T feel no inclination to cross the th ld of your sadyship’s, hospi table, mansion,”,, | RAMDPOY i “gntil I leave it abrogether,” be added wth shale ' atifled sigh. “But you are in. no, harry t0 ea wane Ms, rekon alfested. field!” ,exclaimed . the. Countess, with. Jjnxeluptary "warmth ; ,and jnstantaneously ,perceixing ;,4hat Raita soil!” she are: ROREPPY, resist \ , bad spoken in auch atong, she bepama acarlat with, spore rapidly «than which I so providentially found,” observed Ramsey, throwing a certain degree of mournful tenderness inte his voice: “ but, under circumstances, the sooner [ epart——” And, stopping short, he affected to be seized with a confusion as complete as that which Eleanor had exe now experienced in such reality. “Has anything occurred to displease you, Mr Wakefield 2” ashe inqnired. “It is the wish of the Earl] and of mgself that you should receive all pos- sible attention; and if you have sustained any annoyance~+-any slight—ang pegieet——”” “My God! I havecbeem -teedted toa well—tos kind] ” interrupted. Ramsay, with eathegiasm ; “and my heart abounds in feelings of-the mest fervent. gratitude towards your noble husband aud yourself” “Then.wherefore hint seamysteriously deat circum- stances will compel you te-depart soow 3k Wake- ‘fleld?” asked the Countesa, in-a voicethat trembled somewhat, and with a:strange fluttering aff-che heart. “Did I indeed make-duch an observation? Theo k was wrong —very: weang,” exclaimed Ramsey, ‘speaking as if vexed.with himself, “But in ordez that your ladyship may netiaterpret my inconsiderate ‘wards to to-the prandion of the domestics of this esta- bitebasent,~parmit sme to; .sesuraryou that I have 4 Received avery peesible attention at their hands. The sirsumptences appeianeatei Palinded——” sennested ath yaur position in this country f”-ssid Elesmor. .“J. am acquainted with your histery —the Earl besmedg-x known to me in all. ite detaila--and .L.conaudegtand, Mr. Wakefield, ‘how-painful it. must be fer one nurtured in ease and corn fort, and looking upon, himself az the heir to a large fortune, to awake, froni that dream, and find adversity inatead of prosperity staxing him in the face. Such has indeed been your lot: but you must not look upon the future with. apprehension and dis- trust. The ark of h hae.pteffered you hia &jéndship; and he js.a-man of-waerm heart and generous feelings. . Bus net until you are completely restored, tp health, will he begin to talk to you seri- ously-upog the course of life which may best suit your incligatjons, snd on which he widL.assist you to: eater. In the interval it is hig desire that you should make this house your home;. and it would grieve him were he to heas you speak of any circumstances prompting you to depart abruptly.” “ Again do I assure your ladyship,” said Rameey, ip a soft and lowvoice, “phat if 1 copemitedmy own inclinations only, I, should notdneam: of quitting this Soepitabla mansions & Bu mos §ewgem me,” he a sndgen]ydaeenming,.i imps signed rand chia aaenney gupitedyrn tf compranpised-rreven, if, it; be: nel alocedy: exacked 4 begond wedempiion—v-+Oh |. sreald -t» God that I had mnaveriact.doet ecnnsion taken Lb had hasecokranpfeemne in head haappeerad4o hepeatesndly singe ag rah ar tex spent..palpitating pong @ Gingelan; amaation iy >. “WMigsRekeafigld, and embarrassment.: “ L mean,’ she ag- bnemingover her. ae, if omen mgstica:tafluencean- ‘onion hastened to add, {‘ that, until, yom ara;perJ cieted hereelf.and. hen .gwi feglings with the: pat- fectly recovered, it is,.quitea pangpegsary for, you 49 isienain seek another abode.” smctiona, which: Ramsey Gaplaged. :*d.apeak t geamonn fsankligithand sheuld taaggrether fiend v “Did L,ponsult my.qua feglingsalone, [ ahould nat,| or anguaintancessbepaee: yom: am a«gnetb im this indeed be precipitate in leaving this friendly home | house—because you are a stranger in thés country— COMIC OOOKS. 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