The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 303: what you’re looking at

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

290 ¢? eet tc ec gf tt A EE IO A LE SOCIAL THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “My lord,” she said, endeavouring to veil her fears and therefore her suspicions as well as she was able, “I thank your lordship for all the kindnesses I have experienced at your hand: I thank her lady- ship also for the generous sympathy I have received from her during the few hours I have been beneath this roof. But you must not deem me ungrateful for so much hospitality, if I declare af once that I am determined to leave London without delay for Canterbury-—” “ Louisa, my dear girl [” exclaimed the Marquis, evidently astounded and almost dismayed by this resolve so decisively expressed,—and, at the same time, there was in his look something so sinister that, unsophisticated as Louisa was, she at once read therein the confirmation of her suspicions: “you cannot think—you must not entertain—no— really,” stammered the nobleman,—* I will not per- mit——” “My lord, I am determined to hasten home without delay,” interrupted Louisa, her courage rising in proportion as her position segmed to be- come more menacing and dangerous. “It is not yet an hour past noon: perhaps your lordship will allow one of your domestics to order a post-chaise to be in immediate attendance for me ?” “The haste—the precipitation, with which youare thus about to depart, my dear yoang friend,” said Lady Ernestina Dysart, rising from her seat and taking Louisa’s hand, * would almost amount to an impeachment upon our hospitality—or indeed a mistrust of our friendship towards you.” “Pray do not deem me ungrateful, nor thus pre- judge my motives,” said Louisa, with a tell-tale blush upon her cheeks which showed that her thoughts were in reality precisely as Ernestina had interpreted them. “ Accept all my thanks—and if you would add to the obligations which you have im- posed upon me, then suffer me to depart at once.” And having thus spoken, Louiga hastened to the bell-pull and rang it somewhat violently. At the same iastant the Marquis and his niece exchanged rapid glances, expressive of the con- viction that it was useless to try farther argument or persuasion : and then the significant look which the nobleman assumed, made Ernestina aware that his lordship had determined upon strong and coer- cive measures. , A footman promptly answered Louisa’s sum- mons; and in atone of complete confidence, she said, “ Will you be so kind as to order a post-chaise to be immediately procured.” The domestic bowed a respectful assent: but as he raised his eyes again, at the moment of turning to quit the room, he saw Lord Leveson shake his head at him, unperceived however by Louisa,—and the footman accordingly understood that he was not to order the post-chaise. “With your permission,” said Louisa to Lady Ernestina, the moment the servant had retired, “I will now ascend to my chamber and prepare for departure.” “I will join you there ina few moments, Louisa,” was the reply, “to see whether I can be of service to you, since you are determined to quit us.” Louisa Stanley then left the room; and the mo- ment the door closed behind her, the Marquis ad- dressed himself in hurried and excited terme to his niece. “ Ernestina,” he said, “ you explained to me this om (am 23-7 -@@E.aai@ « a aagin eins morning how, during my absence in France, a ruffian introduced himself into this house—and how he concealed himself in my secret suite of apartments. You likewise confessed to me how you and the Prince proceeded thither, and how you found that burylarious villain held captive in one of my mechanical chairs. You farther told me how this man turned out to be the public execu- tioner—and how the Prince, with a heavy bribe, ensured his services to buoy up Dysart till the very last moment with the hope of a reprieve.” “ But wherefore, in the name of heaven! recapi- tulate all these details ?” exclaimed Ernestina, sur- veying her uncle with astonishment. “ Because,” he responded, in a hoarse thick voice, as if the profound concentration of a burning pas- sion was impelling himpto extremes at which he trembled and was afraid, and forcing him to hold a language to his own niece at which he was both ashamed and shocked,—“ because,” he said, “ since you have chosen to enter those rooms for your owa pleasure, you may now revisit them for mine: and because, since you found seated in one of those chairs a mau who afterwards helped to rid you of a detested husband, you may now inveigie into that same chair this young girl on whom I have set my heart.” ‘Bat, good heavens!” cried Ernestina, “she is too pure—too innocent !—and this outrage cannot be perpetrated with impunity.” “Do not reason with me,” cried her unole, im- petuously. “You see that she is escaping from my toils—she is bent upon leaving us—she evidently suspects something—and it is only by clipping the angel-wings of her innocence that we can pre- veut this startled dove from flying away!” “ Well, be it as you will,” said Ernestina. “You doubtless foresee all the consequences—and I will do as you command. But tell me—one word— what is all this mystery about her sister, these un- known Beckfords, and Stratton Street ?” ‘Oh! such a mystery indeed—such a secret as I have Jearnt this day exclaimed the Marqais. “But I cannot explain myself now: on another occasion I will tell you ali—everything—and then you will indeed be as much astonished as I was. But now hasten and do as I have bid you. Here is the key of the door opening from the Crimson Drawing Room.” Ernestina darted a look of intelligence upon her uncle as she took the key,—a look which told him as plainly as possible that all which depended on herself should be done to facilitate his designs. Then, quitting the apartment where this colloquy had taken place, she repaired first to the Crimson Drawing Room to unlock the door leading !ntu the secret chambers, and then hurried up-stairs to Louisa’s room, Qua» CHAPTER LXXVII. THE WOLVES THROWING OFF THEIR DISGUISE. Iw the meantime Louisa had sought the chamber where she had passed the preceding night; and she immediately began to pack up her trunk for departure. Not for an instant did she suspect that the Marquis of Leveson had dared negative GOnMGOOOKS CO