The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 1G] en Florina’s own voice,— “William,” repeated Lady | you not pleased with this avowal of love which I Saxondale, “tell me, wherefore are you thus moved ? why do you listen to me in such deep embarrassment —I might almost say with pain? Is it possible, I once more ask, that you do not comprchend me?” ‘No, no,” he cried vehemently: “I do not com- prehend you For heaven's sake, explain your- self 1” “Oh! why will you drag from my lips, in the incompetent form of words, those feelings that gush upward from the heart ?—for the feelings them- selves are full of ardour and passion, but words are cooled by the breath on which they are wafted. But if I must be thus explicit, understand me then at last :”’—and after a moment's pause Lady Saxon- dale added with strong accentuation, “ William Deveril, I love you !” Although from ‘he instant Lady Saxondale had Begun this last speech, the young artist was pre- pared for the avowal just made, yet when it did fall from the lady's lips—and that so abruptly too— he started, and an ejaculation of dismay esca him. But even then he doubted whether he could have heard aright, or whetb-r his ears had deceived him; and he continued for two or three moments gazing min wonderment and uncertainty upon Lady Saxondale; so that she, with that obtuseness of per- ception which even the most keen-witted females are liable to in the affairs of the heart, fancied that he was overwhelmed by his good fortune in being beloved by a lady of her rank and wealth. “Yes, William—dearest William,” she said, in the tenderest tone, and fixing upon him looks brim- full of passion, “I love you—lI have loved you for some time—and I could conesal it no longer. You know that the world regards me as a woman whose very pride is a guarantee for her virtue: and sv- lemnly, sacredly do I assure you that never before have I stooped from the loftiness of my pedestal to tell any human being that I loved him! But rest assured that I have struggled long to atifle the feeling which thus urges me towards you; and the struggle Las been a painful one! I can now atraggie no longer: it is @ eeverer conflict than even my proud naturo can endure, or my strong will carry on. I bow—I yield—I, who nover bent nor succumbed before !——yes, I bow—I yield, to the influence of love;—and you, William Deveril, aro the object thereof!” She had gone on speaking thus because the young crtist was so paralysed by the state of his feclings as to be unable to interrupt, much less stop her. Even though her words sounded in his ears, con- veying senso and meaning to his comprehension, he could scarcely put faith in what he thus heard; and eitheugh he beheld before him that woman of a grand and magnificent beauty, descending from the pedestal of her patrician pride, throwing off the Juno-like statelinese of her demeanour, and melting ato all the winning graces and sensuous fascinations have so frankly made? But do not mistake me! It 1s not as a husband that I seek you—it is not as a wife that I offer myself. No, no—the world must not know our love! And therefore it is as a mistress that I abandon myself to you !——Yes, this tre. mendous sacrifice of honour, and virtue, and all that @ woman should hold most dear, do I make for the maddening passion that I experience for you. O William, do you refuse such a love as this? No, you cannot—you will not! But you do not believe that I am serious? Come—let me convince you that I am—let mo press you to my bosom!” The infatuated lady, hurried along by the mad- dening fury of her passions, extended her superb arms to enfold the young artist in their embrace: but he started suddenly back—and with a strong recoil that savowred even of horror and aversion, cried out, No, no!” “What! you scorn, you spurn my love?” ex- claimed Lady Saxondale, whose pride and vanity would not at the first instant enable her to think that it was really eo, although she expressed it in words. “It is impossible! You still think perhaps that I am trifling with you—that I am trying you in order to see that you are a fit preceptor for my daughters? But I take heaven to witness that I am sincere. What? still you stand gazing upon me thus in consternation and alarm? It is impos- sible, I repeat, that you can refuse my love. Love? it is a burning, devouring passion,—s passion that maddens me—a passion that scorches me with con- suming flames-——else never, never had I suffered ite wild torrent thus to hurry me away! Love did Isay? William Deveril, it is a mad idolatry, in which I could sacrifice almost everything—yes, even the hope of heaven iteelf, for your sake. Ah! would you bave, then, a proof of this fervid love of mine? Behold it in the present scene! You know my pride—you know my haughtiness—and you may conceive then how powerful is that love which can thus bend that pride and subdue that haughtincas to the degree that now makes me sue a humblo sujg liant for yuur love in return!” * Lady Saxondale,’ answered William Deveril, again retreating suddenly as she once more flew forward to clasp him in her arms, “is it possible that you can have thus far forgotten yourself ? or is the excuse to be found in a passing madness?” “ Yes, yes—it is madness!” she exclaimed with vehement accente,—“‘the madness of this love which I feel for you! And I have asked you to love me in return—and you hesitate? Oh, but you shall love me—you must love me—and love too as I do—as passionately, as ardently !” ‘‘ Peace, madam!” exclaimed Deveril indignantly. “This scene must not be prolonged another minute.” All on a sudden Lady Saxondale’s whole being appeared to change: the crimson hue of excitement vanished from her cheeks, leaving them pale as of Venus herself, yet still he could scarcely believe | marble—tho sensuous light which had been beam- in the reality of the spectacle which he thus beheld. So he stood near the chair from which he had risen, ing in her eyes, flamed up into flashing fires—the supplicating attitude of her splendid figure was suc- with eyes fixed wonderingly upon her countenance— | ceeded by an air of Juno-like wrath, as she drew with lipe apart—the very effigy of astonishment herself up to the full of her commanding height: and doubt! | and in a voice choked with rage, she said, “ Ab! “William, what means this singularity of manner then you scorn my love? you spurn me? you have on your partf” asked Lady Saxondale, her accents dared to humiliate Lady Saxondale ?” now tremulous with anxiety and misgiving. “re | 6 ea Ee Gag Sees ue ‘© Madam,” replied Deveril, “if I remain here —- ——— 7 = ww =e 8 cme Som, 8 —nre =) ese Sw COMM —_ magliD DOO (CO