The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 211: what you’re looking at

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198 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. wards returned ; and the intelligence which Agatha at once imparted, struck them with consternation. They were amszed—terrified—bewildered. But Mrs. Ranger, who in an emergency was prompt at laying aside the airs of an old coquette and look- ing matters deliberately in the face, soon re- covered her presence of mind; and, consulting her watch, she said, “It is now five o'clock: we dine at six—and there is one hour before us. In that hour mush may be done.” ‘But what can we do?” inquired the three sisters, as if in the same breath. “ Tf we persist in continuing our journey to join the Princess,” Agatha, “ Jocelyn Loftus will hasten on in advance and voisgon the mind of her Royal Highness, so that we shall be dismissed in ignominy when we seek her presence: and to abandon the enterprise without a struggle, would be to compel our return in equal ignominy to London.” “ Agatha.” said Mrs. Ranger, fixing her eyes with a peculiar but unmistakable meaning upon the eldest girl, “were there no means by which you could have silenced this moralizing babbler? Ah! if I were of your age and possessed such sweet lips as yours, they should have been employed as a seal to set upon his mouth.” “He is beyond temptation,” replied Agatha, the blood rushing to her cheeks and suffusing its crim- son glow on her neck and shoulders, down to the very hemispheres of her bosoms. “Ah! I understand,” said Mrs. Ranger, now observing the luxurious exposure of Agatha’s charms and comprehending the motive. “We must adopt another course. Sit down at once and pen a few lines to your mother—tell her what has happened—demand her immediate counsel—and say that we shall remain in Paris for her instruc- tions. I will in the meantime go myself and arrange with the proprietor of the hotel for a courier to become the bearer of the letter, as we cannot wait the delays of the ordinary post.” “But Jocelyn must not know that we are despatching a courier tb London,” observed Aga- tha. “At least, it would be better that he should not——” “Leave the affair in my hands—and lose not a moment in penning your letter,” said the old Hecate of iniquity. “In half-an-hour it must be ready.” She then left the apartment. “And so Jocelyn was proof against your witcheries ” exclaimed Emma and Julia, the in- stant the door closed behind Mrs, Ranger. “His heart is of stone to us,” was the emphatic response: “but he loves another. For my part, I have done with him—at least I think so—and yet he is so agreeable as a companion, that I should be sorry to lose him altogether from us.” “Well, my turn is now come to lay siege to him,” cried Emma, her looks glowing with the animation of hope. Agatha now began to write the letter to her mother: and in about twenty minutes it was con- cluded. Mrs. Ranger soon afterwards made her ap- pearance, followed by a French eourier, ready booted and spurred: the despatoh was delivered to and he instantaneously took his departare. At six o'clock the dinner was served up—and Jocelyn made his appearance. Mrs. Ranger and the girls were leas cheerful than hitherte: but there was no alteration in the friendly tone of their manner towards himself. Indeed, a glass of champagne presently restored them all to some- thing near their wonted liveliness;—and after dinner Jocelyn escorted them to the theatre. They returned to the hotel at about eleven o’oloek, and sought their chambers. The following day—(this was Wednesday, and the same on which Venetia and Sackville were married in London)—was passed in visiting the various exhibitions and public buildings that re- mained to be seen. Nota word was spoken rela- tive to the all-important matter then pending: but Jocelyn remarked that Agatha did not seem so anxious as betore to keep near him when they were walking, or sit next to him in the carriage which was hired for the excursion ;—whereas it was now Emma who monopolised his arm and en- grossed to herself all the attentions which the rales of courtesy compelled him to display. The next day (Thursday) was passed in a similer manner,—atill nothing more being said about the important topic of Jocelyn’s discourse with Agatha —and Emma still constituting herself the monope- list of his attentions. The ladies all seemed to be a trifle leas cheerful than at first ; and it was there- fore evident that the affair had made some i sion upon them. But why they took so much time to arrive at a decision, Loftus could mot imagine. If he were however at a loss on this point, he had no difficulty in observing that Emma was a» sailing his heart with a thousand little seductive take no notice thereof—and he assurediy gave her no encouragement. This for Jocelyn. The former, written by the young ladies’ mother, made them aequaiated bargiary d: tachment. Before Jocelyn retired to bed that Thursday night, he read Louisa’s letters over and The following dey (Friday) was passed in the same manner as the two preceding days; and Saturday was slipping by in a similar way, when —and she at once assured him that on the morrow he should receive a final amewer. A suspicica which he had already conceived, to the effect that the ladies were awsiting instructions from Eng- land, now besame strengthened im his mind: and he frankly stated his thoughts to Agathe. But with an appearance of the most ingenpous sincerity- COMME OG CO