The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

Ce THE MYDSRRING OF THE COURT. meee SS gindly, she knows full well that were she even to since her marriage, he was led to manifest an mention the name of her husband, her unole equal liberality on this occasion. would start up in a fury and overwhelm her with the bitterest However,—be the influence which ruled him at the moment what it may,—suoh was the sum that “T am rejoiced to see you,” repeated the Mar-| he placed in her hands on his return to the quis of Leveson. “T am rejoiced to see you also, my dear uncle,” answered Ernestina, with a profound sigh. “You are in good health—you loek well—-and—and you are happy !” ‘“T wish that you were happy also, Ernestina,” said the nobleman. “ Bat ff there be anything that I can do to lighten yeur gfflittions—eand so long as it is for yourse!falone, mind——” “Thank you, my dear uncilo—thank you!” ex- claimed Lady Ernestina Dysart, with a singular and enthusiastic fervour. “I told you in my brief note that I wished to speak to you upon a matter of importance—and it is only to beseech a favour et your hands.” ‘Name it, niece—name it,” said the Marquis, hurriedly. “But not a word upon a particular topic—not a syllable on behalf of a certain per- s0n——"” ‘No: it is only for myself that I am abont to solicit this favour, my dear uncle,” interrupted the lady, with a species of hysterical nervousness in her manner, and a painfal excitement in her tone: then, with the evident trepidation and suspense of one who fears a refasal, she said, “ The beon that I crave at your hands, ‘s money !” “TI thought so!” ejaculated the Marquis, his Hes quivering. “Bat if it be to bestow upos ome who will waste it at the gaming-table—and leave yeu to want or embarrassment——” “No, no—it shall not be disposed of thus!” ex- claimed Ernestina, with impassioned violence. “But I can assure you, my dear uncle, i¢ will re- lieve me—yes, me—from cruel dificulties>——” “ Well, well—you shall have it, Ernestina,” in- terrupted the Marquis, pressing her hand asa fa- ther might do towards adaughter. “How long do you remain in London?” “Eh?” she ejaculated, as if startled by the quee- tion. “Oh! not another hour, provided you assist me in this respect. I am going away—and—and it will perhaps be a leng time before you will see me again.” “A long time before I may see you again,” said the Marquis, echoing her words in a musing tone, as he revolved in his miad the smount of money he should bestowupon ker: then, taking a hing from her observation, he added, “ Well, if you are going sway from London—aai if I shall not see you for a long time—I must eng sre you against want and misery. Remain here fir a few minutes.” And the Marquis hurr ed from the room. Repeiring straight to iis own chamber, he took out a bundie of Bank-notes from the drawer which to the Crimson Drawing-Room. Why he pitched upon this precise sum, it is not easy to say. He assuredly had ne particular motive in doing so: bot perhaps it was because this emvunt was uppermost in his mind whenever he thought of money-matiers at all-—isasmuoh as i was the sam he had engaged to pay for the res- boration uf his pocket-book. Or cise, as he had tuee before presented Ernesting with that amount, Crimson Drawing- Room. “ Here are two thousand guineas, Ernestina,” he eaid: “and may they prove really and truly serviceable——" But she cut short his words by throwing her- self into his arms—and laying her head on his shoulder, she sobbed aloud.. ‘Come, my dear girl—oome—cheer tp,” he ex- claimed, considerably moved, if not deeply affected. “T oan understand your sorrows, although I do net choose to allude to them. Oheer up, I wy Pardon this ebullition of grief, dear uncle,” eaid Exnestina, in a trembling tone: then, raising her head, she wiped away her tears and by a strong effort regained her composure. “Have you heard anything of Algernon lately?” she inquired, “ Yes—read this note,” replied the Marquis, as he placed in her hands the letter which he had re- ceived from his nephew by the morning’s post. “Ah! Algernon is in London—and he will upon you to-day 7 cried Ernestina. “I have not seen him now for more than a year,” she added, in a tone of profound meiancholy: “and when last we met——” “You had words—and you parted in anger,” said the Marquis of Leveson. “I have net for. gotten that you told me this ciroumstanes. In- deed, it was soon afterwards that Algernon adopted the singular—strange—mad—insulting resolution, which has so embittered me against him f” “ Alas! poor brother!” marmured Lady Ernestina her fair bosom swelling with a painful sob. “J Gare not remain to meet him,” she added, in a musing tone, and fergetting that her words met her ancle’s ear. “Why shoald you not dare to meet him?” de- manded Lord Leveson, hastily. “ Was your quarrel} | of so serious a nature ?—for you will be pleased to remember that I am unacquainted with the parti- culars.” “Let us not dwell upon the subject, my dear uncle,” said Ernestina, in a tone of entreaty. “Jn- deed, 1 must take my leave of you—I must say farewell {°—and she rogg from her seat. “Farewell, nieco—farewell, my dear Ernestina,‘ exclaimed the noblefman, pressing his lips once more to her forehead. “You knew that I wish you all possible happmess—and if, new and then, you choose to write me a line———" “1 will, I will, dear uncle,” oried the ledy, in a | tone which expressed the joy she felt at the kind hint thus breathed ia her ears. ough | well !” “ Qaice snord fare- | And having embraced her uncle affectionately, ' Ernestina Dysart hurried from the roorh. Scarcely had the Marquis of Leveson recovered from the excitement produced by this interview with his niece, when the doof of the Crimson Drawing-Room was again titrowh opeh--and Lord Aigernon Cavendish was announced. The Marquis gave a cold and scarcely pervep- tible inclination of the head, in acknowledgment of the equally cold but somewhat more decided sal» GORMGOOOKXS Com |