The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 340: what you’re looking at

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

a a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. Daniel Coffin picked up the purse from the table where the noblicman had tossed it, and then took his departure, well pleased with the success of his visit. ’ Que CHAPTER LXXXVI. A CATASTROPHE. THe chamber to which Ariadne Varian had been consigned at Leveson House, was the one that communicated with the dressing-room whence a secret-door opened into the private suite of apart- ments already so often referred to in our narra- tive. This bed-chamber was sometimes occupied by the Marquis himself; but he as frequently slept in a room on a higher storey, for the sake of the convenience offered by contiguous baths. Thus, on the particular occasion now referred to, the nobleman had spent the night in this last- mentioned chamber: and therefore was it that the housekeeper, with fiendish forethought, con- signed Ariadne to the one whence the communi- cation led to the private suite of apartments. On awaking after some hours of refreshing sleep, Ariadne recalled to mind everything that had occurred during the past night: but still it was without the slightest misgiving or suspicion ahe remembered that she was now beneath the roof of the Marquis of Leveson. ~ While she was thus collecting her ideas, the house- , keeper entered the room, bearing a tray, contain- ing the young maiden’s breakfast. “Is it very late?” inquired Ariadne, fancying that she must have slept a long time. “It is a little past ten o'clock,” replied the housekeeper: * but you will do well to take your breakfast in bed as you have passed through so much excitement and alarm during the past night. Moreover, you have no apparel of any kind here—and I must see about: getting some clothes presently. His lordship will come and pay you a visit immediately, and will then confer with you on your plans and prospects.” “ What, here !” ejaculated Ariadne, surprised at the remark and conceiving that she had not pro- perly understood it. “ And why not ?” asked the housekeeper, with a smile. “The Marquis is old enough to be your father: indeed you are a mere child to him. Moreover, Iam going to remain here with you, my love * Still Ariadne experienced a secret displeasure at the idea of a stranger visiting her bed-room. Her pure-mindedness and natural delicacy shrank from the thought: but she scarcely dared to venture any farther remonstrance, as she felt that she was under greet obligations to those who had given her an asylum beneath that roof. Besides which, as she had no garments to put on—not a stitch nor rag in the whole world beyond the night-drapery that she wore—she could not rise and dress herself to receive the Marquis; and it was natural that he should wish to know whom he had beneath his roof. But this reflection suddenly gave rise to another: namely, what account could she render of herselff—what name should she pass by? To refuse all replies to the questions that might be put, would seem not ealy suspicious but rude to a degree: and yet, on ee Me) 827 the other hand, how could she tell the truth !—how announce the name ef Ariadne Varian? Ah! the poor girl was indeed unused to the arts of deceit and unskilled in the ways of duplicity! She was sitting up in bed, pondering mournfully { upon these points, and partaking of some chocolate which the housekeeper had poured out for her, when a gentle knock was heard at the door. The house- keeper at once opened it; and the Marquis entered the room. Ariadne instinctively shrank beneath the bed-clothes, while her cheeks were suffused with blushes. “ How is the fair guest with whose presence cir- cumstances have ‘thus honoured me?” said the Marquis, assuming his softest voice and blandest manner. ‘“‘ Really the incidents which have thus brought you, young lady, within these walls are so romantic, that they invest you with additional charms.” Ariadne said nothing: she was overwhelmed with confusion. But averting her blushing countenance, she felt such strange sensations come over her—sen- eations of mingled alarm, outraged modesty, and bitter annoyance—that she was ready to buret into tears. “You are welcome to my house, young lady,” re- sumed the Marquis,—* most welcome! Indeed the longer you grace it with your presence, the happier I shall feel. My excellent housekeeper here will see that your slightest wants shall not merely be at- tended to, but even anticipated———" “J thank your lordship,” murmured Ariadne, now recovering the power of utterance : “ but I shal! not intrude on your lordship’s hospitality much longer. Indeed if your lordship’s housekeeper will only be kind enough to furnish me with apparel, I shall at once prepare to take my departure,” she added, her sense of violated decenoy now triumphing over her bare and imparting firmness to her tone. “Well, well, my dear young lady—you are your own mistress, no doubt,” said the Marquis, believing Asiadne’s conduct to be nothing more nor less than mere affectation: for he could not famey that it was possible for her to have passed even a few short hours in the dwelling of Sir Douglas Huntingdon and have come forth pure and chaste. “ But methinks that this precipitation on your part to leave my mane sion, where there is every disposition to treat you kindly———” “My lord,’ interrupted Ariadne, now turning her eyes towards the Marquis while her countenanes was flushed with indignation: “I know not what may be the manners and custems of fashionable life; but in the sphere to which I belong, your presence in my chamber would not only be deemed a violation of al] the rules of hospitality, but a positive outrage and insult.” “Upon my honour, you take my conduct moat an- kindly!” exclaimed the Marquis. * Bat I will withdraw for the present, since you appear to wish it.” } He then quitted the room, making a rapid sign te the housekeeper: and the moment the door elosed behind him, Ariadne burst into a flood of teara. “My dear gir}, don’t fake on like this,” said the housekeeper. “ Why, I am really surprised at you! His lordship did not mean any offence—how could he? He perhaps spoke in rather an off-hand man- ner: but then that was his familiarity of tone towards one in whom he felt interested. I can assure you COM ELOOO® Ss CO