The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 377: what you’re looking at

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SOR TRE MYSTERIES. and inform her that she was now the Hon. Mise Pauline Clarendon. The young lady was seated upon the sofa in earnest conversation with Lord Florimel, when her father burst into the room. “ My dear child,” he exclaimed, running up to her and catching her in his arms,—“ congratulate me! I am now one of England's peers—no longer the obscure and humble Mr. Clarendon, dependent on the bounty of a haughty selative — bat Lord Holderness with two thousand a-year. Congrata- ‘ate me, I say, dear Pauline——” But the young maiden withdrew herself abruptly, and even violently, from her father’s arms ;—and, earveying him for a few moments with a troubled countenance and a swelling bosom, she said, “ Is it possible you can rejoice to-day after all that the Duchess of Devonshire must have revealed to you f” Then back to the memory of Lord Holderness flashed the remembrance of his ruined and demented daughter: and, while a sudden pallor swept over nis countenance, he staggered back a pace or two asif he were about to fall. But almost instantly recovering himself, he exclaimed, “Oh! our dear Octavia's secret shall be hushed up—and with kind treatment she will soon regain her mental equili- brium. We must not be hard upon the Prince—he is not to be judged by the same rules to which or- dinary men are subject—and besides, has he not done ali that lies m his power to make reparation and atonement f”’ “Oh! my dear father,” cried Pauline, in a rending tone of anguish, “ can you find consolation in such wretched sophistry as this? Here on my knees— oefore you,” she exclaimed, sinking down at his feet and joining her hands beseechingly, “ do I call upon you to reject with scorn the bauble that has been offered as a recompense for the ruined horour of your elder daughter! Oh! I can understand it all—this peerage and this pension——” “ Silence, child !” ejaculated Lord Holderness : “is is for me to judge what I ought to accept or refuse —and not for you todictate. Rise, IJ command you— —and let me have no more of this puling senti- mentalism !” ; For a few moments Pauline remained like a kneeling statue, transfixed and paralysed with the shock occasioned by her father’s language. Her opraised countenance, pale as marble, denoted amazement blended with terror and grief: and her arms remained outstretched to their full length, the hands being joined, But suddenly her cheeks flushed and her eyes flashed fire in a manner never seen before with re- spect to her : and, rising hastily from her suppliant posture, she said in a low thick voice, “ Father, am I to understand that you accept this peerage and this pension as the recompense for our Octavia's dishonour ” “ Silence, child—I command you to be silent!” exclaimed Lord Holderness, Lis countenance grow- ing livid with rage. “ Then this house is no longer a home for me,” said Pauline, her features once more becoming ghastly pale—her whole form quivering with the stropg spasms that shot through her heart—but her voice nevertheless indicating the firmness of a heroine and the self-devotion of a martyr. “Fare- well, father—farewell! Not for worlds would I oask in the sunshine of that coronet which has been ae » thus ignobly purchased ; not to save myself from starvation would I eat a morsel of bread bought with the pension given as a reward for my poor dear sister’s ruin! Farewell, father—I will pray for you morning and night, as heretofore: bat your house can no longer be my home ” She paused for a few moments, and cast a rapid look ayound. In the features of Florimel she read the rapture of that admiration and worship which her noble conduct excited in his soul ; in the countenance of the Duchess she observed an expression of ap- proval which her Grace could not subdue. But she aaw that her father was dogged and morose; while his newly-wedded wife, Lady Holderness, stood by his side darting fierce and implacable glances upon the heroic maiden. entreaty, “Your Grace will afford me an asylam for a few hours until I can repair to the abode of my sister t” “ Ponder—reflect, Pauline,” exclaimed Georgiana: “think of the step you are taking !” “Then you refase me an asylum % said the young maiden, turning away: and as her eyes filled with tears, she was about to address herself to Lord Fio- rimel, when the Duchess, who was naturally of un- bounded generosity, caught her in her arms and embraced her tenderly. “Yee—come with me, dear Pauline,” exclaimed Georgiana: “and not only for a few hours—but for days, and weeks, and years may you command a home beneath my roof.” “ A thousand thanks!” murmured Pauline, burat- ing into tears “One moment—and I shall be with you !” And she hurried away to her own chamber to put on her bonnet and scarf. But as she was about to quit the drawing-room, Lord Holderness stretched out his hand to retain her—for his heart suddenly gave way at the thought of losing his youngest-born thus! “Tet the wilful girl have her own way!” said Fernanda sharply, as she caught hold of her hus- band’s arm and drew it back. And Lord Holderness made vot another effort te induce Pauline to alter her determination. Two minutes elapsed, during which not a word was spoken in the drawing-room. At the expiration of that time a servant entered, and addressing himeelf to the Duchess, said, “ Miss Clarendon is already seated in your Grace's caf- nage. Florimel and Georgiana accordingly took their leave of Lord and Lady Holderness; and the newly- nade peer, deprived of both his daughters, was lef alone with his bride—that snake with the lovely akin ! CHAPTER CVIL. THE SANCTIMONIOUS CONCLAVE Ir was about three o’clock on the same day when the preceding incidents took place ; and in the vestry- room of Salem Chapel five very religious-looking gentlemen were assembled round a table, ea which there were several papers and tracts and likewise some smoking tumblers of rum-puncl, -_ @ a EOMICEHOOOKS.CO Then Pauline, advancing towards the Duchees of Devonshire, said in a tone of mingled confidence and