The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

76 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. » “Foolish girl!” thundered the Minor Canon, as- suming an air of diabolical menace,—“ you will force me to extremes! Look around you—behold the utter loneliness of this place. No human eye witnesses us: but how many spectral forms and invisible phantoms may be looking forth upon us from amidst the dense obscurity of these vaulted regions and the black dark- ness of its remotest nooks. Now, Loulsa, Louisa— you behold before you a desperate man! His honour —his fame— his character—almost his very life—these are in your hands: and unless you kneel and swear by the great God who rules in heaven—by the shades of the departed monks and warriors whose remains lie buried beneatl: our feet or entombed in the cloisters overhead — by all your hopes of happiness in this world and of salvation in the next ;—unlessa, I say, you kneel and swear by all these that you will never reveal to a living soul aught of what has occurred to you in my house or at my hands——” “No, no—I cannot take that oath!” interrupted Louisa, whose blood had run cold at the terms in which it was couched. “ Besides, I will deal frankly with you—there is onc to whom [ must, for my own sake, reveal all that has occurred: othcrwise I could not account for my absence frum home, of which he must inevitably hear on his return to Canter- bury——”" “Ah! you allude to Jocelyn Loftus—my rival in your love ?” muttered the Minor Canon, with a terrible scowl of hatred: then, subduing his bitter feelings —or rather the outward manifestation of them—as well as he was able, he added, “ But is it absolutely necessary for you to make him your con- fidant in this respect? What purpose will it serve to excite his angry ‘celings against me ?—what good will it achieve to unsettle his mind with rancorvus thoughts and vindictive cmotions? Remember, young lady, that wherever a battle is to be fought, two must fight it—and that he whose cause is most just and who wins the day, does not always com? off scatheless himself.” “ Nevertheless,” observed Louisa, her courage re- viving since she beheld a disposition on the part of the Canon to become the suppliant and to back his proposals of compromise by means of a sophistry which betrayed even to Her inexperienced compre- hension the alarm that really lurked at the bottom of his mind,—“ nevertheless,” she said, “ I must deal frankly and candidly with Mr. Loftus, be the con- sequences what they may. At the same time,” she added almost immediately, “I think I can undertake to promise that he will forbear from any course which may tend to give publicity to this wicked outrage, provided you———”" “Oh! now you are dictating conditions to me, girl!’ exclaimed the Canon, flying into an ungovern- able passion. “By heaven! I will sacrifice you to my safety—ayc, and to my vengeance also—uniess you take the oath which I have already prescribed ! Yes—and without reserve or exception, I say,” he added, ferociously. ‘Down — down — upon your knees, insolent girl—down, I commard you——” His looks were terrible with the rage and fury of a desperate man—the foam of a species of hydrophobic madness was upon his lips—and if he stopped short in the midst of his fiercely uttered words, it was not because he had nothing more to say, but because his throat grew eo suddenly parched and his tongue ‘so hot that he gasped and panted violently. Loulsy’s firmness abandoned her in a moment: ele was appalled and horror-stricken ;—and sinking upon | her knees, she raised her clasped hands and lifted hug dilated eyes, exclaiming, “ Mercy! merey !” “TI will show no mercy—lI can know none!” said the Canon, in a hoarse and ominous voice. “Take the oath which I have dictated—swear to obrerve an eternal secrecy with regard to the incidents of thig night—or———" “No, no—you may kill me——Oh! you may kill me,” shrieked the anguished girl,— but I will not tako that dreadfal oath !” “Then, by heavens! you shall go back to your prison-chamber in my house,” exclaimed the Reverend Bernard Audley: “and I will starve you into cum- pliance with my wishes—into obedience with my commands !”” And as he thus spoke he sprang forward and wound his arms about the sylphid form of the knecling girl. A piercing scream burst from her lips: but one of his hands was instantaneously placed upon her mouth— and, despite of her struggles, he was bearing her away from the spot, when a female figure, clothed in black, suddenly appeared fron: behind the pillars. “Ah! my evil genius!” ejaculated the Minor Canon—and he let Louisa fall from his arms. Her forehead struck upon the hard ground—(for the crypt was not paved)—and she instantancously became inaensible. = & ® 2 @ ® & @ e @ @ When Louisa awoke to consciousness, she was lying undressed in a bed—and a candice was burning in the room. A crowd of terrible reminiscences rushed into her brain ;—and wildly she cast her eyes around her. But all her apprehensions were soothed in a few moments —all her fears were dissipated—when she discovered that she was safe in her own chamber at the cottage. A certain painful sensation on the forchead caused her, however, to lift her hand to her thrubbing brow —and her fair fingers encountered a bandage. Ah» then all thouc terrible reminiscences were not a dream . but everything which now was uppcrmbdet in her mind, bore the impress of reality! fer oaptivity— her flight—the scenes in the cathedral crypt,—all were true:—bat how had her deliverance been effected ? While she was yet lost in conjecture, the servant- girl Mary entered the room: and perceiving that hes young mistress was awakc, she precipitated heraelé towards her—caught her in her arms—and embraced her with a fervour that cvinced the depth and sin- ecrity of her attachment. “How long have I been here ?—and who brougly inc home ?” were Louisa’s first questions. ‘An hoar has elapsed since you were brought back in a deep swoon, Miss,” was the reply. “It is new three o'clock in the morning——” _ “ And my aunt—my poor aunt—how is she?” inquired the maiden, hurriedly. ‘As usual, Missa. Of course [have let her want for nething—I have done my best to attend upon her, although tertribly gricved at your abeence——”* “And are there any Ictters, Mary?" demanded Louisa, a gentle blush appcaring upon ber checks which were previotsly as pale as marble. “ Yes—one, Miss :”"—and the servant presented her with the letter, holding the candle near the bed at the same time #0 as fo enable her young mistress to read it. - COMuicooOolkxs.conrn