The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 309: what you’re looking at

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

28 TIE MYSTERIES. ee eae ree cere orien taiedetitmemmiae ae dissolved when the rays of the moon streamed | tone of authority. “I came not hither to be taunted full upon her countenance as she cast a rapid , nor reviled: beware, lady, how I may become the and searching look around. Ramsey suffered her to advance almost as far as the spot where he was standing, ere he moved a step forward to encounter her: his aim was evi- dently to assure himself that she had come alone. Accordingly, when he found that no person was following her at a distance, and when his listening ear caught the sound of no footstep besides her own gentle tread upen the dewy sward, he ad- vanced a few paces to meet her. Then, by the light of the silver meon that was filling the atmo. sphere with so sweet and pure a lustre, did the looks of that vile mameneounter those of that des- perate woman ;—and eaok recoiled from the other with a simultaneous .shuddering, because the man felt that he was playing the past of..a- despicable coward, andcto the woman it as if the murdesmark ofbieod wereapember brow |! 1 “Let our interviesr be shost-and. the. business speedily coneinded,” said Ramseyy witiiithe abmpt- ness of one whe candind no .spoldgetie peniace witem: with to open the eanvessation. “T shall not detam yor mazy minutes, sit; ree plied the Countess, in a cold and measured ‘voiee;. although the palpitations of her heast were nerscnsly guick and short. “ Bat. before 1. yield tache extow tionate demand. wits youu haws made up’ me—-—? “Ah! then.you:mensto campy with my request —~and. you'.«il ast wisely!" interrupted Rammer: then, avitiedcsis quaiied .bemeatis’ tits flashing .cyes of the nable-lady: whessrcemmtenames was ghastly pale, heeaid, “1 knewe-Liesk that I am playing a villaneumpast; botI havecembved¢adake war upon the wertd and. speremeenw Tdasman placed in such fearful cirounsstanesmae thosseriich belong ta my history, there-is bet ons sourcpeficemfort and solace—and that is memeyt Bytilewaid of gold I may surround myself with all the jaxuries, the ele- gancies, and the exjeyments of life, and thereby form a barrier againet the tos frequent intrusion of over- whelming remtinisconess, Gold, then, is new the Ueity of my adoration —the idol of my wership. Wherever I can obtain it by faim meaneor by foul, I will joyously welcome its presence. And not from you aloney Countess of Desborough, shall I extort the glittering ore: but even upon higher personages still must the tribute be levied. Yes—I hold the means of enforcing all this——” “And you have chosen to commence with me ?”’ exclaimed Eleanor, cutting sbort that long tirade which the wretch was delivering ir a vein of malig- nant triumph. “ Well, be it so!” she added, resum- ing that cold and measured tone which afforded not the slightest glue to the real nature of the thoughts that were agitating inher bosom. “ The amount you have demanded of me shall be placed at your dis- posal. But before we separate, I must so far relieve the intolerable bitterness of those feelings which I entertain towards you by proclaiming, Philip Raim- sey, that madly—profoundly—devotedly as I once loved you, so fiercely and intensely do I now hate you 1" . And the words came hissing snake-like from be- tween the lips that were ashy and quivering—and the splendid eyes of the Countess darted forth fires at the same moment. “ Enough of this!” cried Ramsey, in an insolent reviler !” “Ah! I see that it is time to put an end to our in- terview!” ejaculated the Countess, her right arm moving beneath the cloak which wrapped her form. “Give me the money, and let me take my de- parture,’ said the criminal, greedily anxious to clutch the fruits of his extortion. “T have brought it in a bag—gold and bank-notes all mixed together,” continued Eleanor: “ but by the light of the moon you cau assure yourself that the sum is correct.” “TI will take your word for it,” rejoined Ramsey, extending his hand to receive the hoped-for treasure. “ Give me the bag !” “The reward of your vilmtreackery towasds me ft” exclaimed the Countess, ins zone of bitter mupysry. “Term.it what youasl/” csted Raweey; impa- tientlv. “Call it rewmvd:if you like—ooly give it quick——” “'Thed take iti® ejaswlated.Eisaner, abruptly stevtching forth hers: the cloak : and the eudden mavement.was foiled, rapidly as the eye winks, by the repest‘of a pistol. A short quiskkosp bans from Ramey's lips—and the next instemt. while that deativecund was yet piercing the eis; bé threw-up his ammenend fell dewn dead ! The mmarderess turned: and: fied psserpetatety to- wisieee che had emerged a fow minetenbeive; and: MiGaghes, stupified with a cher- title censternation, remained transfixed to the spot CHAPTER CXCIX. AFVTER THE MUBDES. SuDDBELY a wild and fearful light famed up in the mind of Tim Meagies, showing him at a glance all the perils which, in a single moment as it were, had sprung into existence around him. He had followed Ramsey from London—he had watched him at the adjacent public-house—and he had dogged him to that field where the tragedy had just taken place. The corpse of the murdered man would be discovered; and he (Meagles) would be pointed out by an overwhelining combination of circumstantial evidence as the author of the crime ! Roused from his stupor by these harrowing re- flections which traversed his brain with the vivid- ness and specd of lightning, Meagles darted in f pursuit of Lady Desborough. She was just on the point of entering the shrubbery, when the sounds of those quick steps behind, smote like a death- knell upon her ears; and she clung, panting with terror and trembling all over, to the gate of the enclosure. “ Almighty God! what have you done, miser- able woman?” demanded Meagles, clutching her violently by the shoulder. The voice was familiar to the Countess ;—and turning round with a spasmodic start, she instan- taneously recognised her deliverer of the other night. (COU DOO (CO