The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 237: what you’re looking at

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

OS OE EE ———E EEE eee ED -cta SEetee Fer Ee EEE eee eee i la a ed ingly beauteous countenance, of which his memory had since ‘his boyhood retained so faithful an im- press: for the reader will not have forgotten those words which the had 20 feelingly addressed to the Hon. Miss Juliana Farefiald. “Kven,” he had said, “if I had never seen that la:ly bat onco—and even if it were ouly on the first cecasion when I was but six years old—her image subsequent occasions did I behold that lady at about @ year’s interval each time, and that on the last oe casion I was eight years old. At this age the mind is callous and insensible to many things, bat equally susceptible and sensitive in other things. Amidst the Alpine forests there is a tree which if, when a tender sapling, a name be engraved upon if, will, as appearing slightly full, but not pouting and very far from coarse. The expression of her coufitenance was pleasing and affable, but mingled with the con- was decidedly the most beautiful specimen of the art in that volume. We should add that the lady _ who served as the original of this portrait, must have been about thirty years of age at the time the likeness was taken,—which, judging from the title- page of the book, was in the year 1829. “It was in 1834 that I last saw her whom I believe to be my mother,” thought Frank within himself, as his eyes remained rivetted upon the picture. “Then, according ta the belt of the tion which at that age I could form, she ap- peared to me about five or six-and-thirty. Yes— did look some few years oldcr than in this ‘ @umta © sloped and allowing a alight | take portrait—but not many; and he added referring to the title-page to mark the year again, “it is undoubtedly thesame. Oh! not for an instant can I be mistaken. And she was a beauty of the Court? Here is the confirmation of another idea which I entertained, that she «was con- nected with the Court. But wherefore ts her name not given in this book? Oh! if thou art, as I believe thee to be, the reflex of my mother’s coan- tenance, let me kiss thee here, as I have eunbraced the original !” And bending down, the youthfal page prossed his lips upon the cold inanimate and a tear- drop fell from his eyes thereon. At this moment he heard footeteps approaching the door; aad hastily raising his head, be passed his handkerchief scroes his eyes. Lord Detersfield re-entered the room; and at once perceiving the open book, he rushed to the table in a manner totally at variance with the usaal gravity of his movements. “My lord, that portrait,” exclaimed Frencis Paton, “is one which I immediately repognised. Tell me, my lord—tell me, I conjure you—was not this lady my mother P” “Young man, I—I—em not accustomed to have such home-thrust questions put to me. But where- fore should you address sach a question to me at all?’ asked the nobleman, who in a moment had ined his wonted composure and eelf-possession. “How long will you cherish this delusion thet [ am in any way connected with you or your private affaires ?” “My lord, you must excuse me for saying that I can, believe my own cyes. You see that my memory is good—that I at once recognised this portrait. It is ten years since you took me to the school at Southampton, and I was not then too young to have your lordship’s image iupressed upon my mind, nor is the date so remote thes ie the interval your lordship has changed to a de gree to defy recognition.” “Nevertheless you sre mistaken,” rejoined Pe- tersfield, with mingle coldness and compassion, —s coldness of tone and yet s certain sympathy ia the look. “ Now let we return to the subject wherr upon we were talking before I left the ruom. I pre sume that you have had leisure to reflect upoa my proposition? But don’t answer too husriedly— time—never commit yourself: the most terri- ble calamities have arisen to men and to nations from hasty and unrefiected ” “J thank your ip,” answered the youth. with even s kind of petalance, “ but I cannot de- vote my thoughts to mere worldly matters now All my ideas are centred in thie portrait. Will your lordship make me a present of the boqk? [ know that the request is a very bold one; bat under circumstances I hope your lordship will excuse it. No matter, however, if you cling, my lord, to the book--I will hasten and purchase a copy.” Thus speaking, Frank Paton again glanced to the title-page, and took note of the publisher's name and address. Lord Petersfield for an instant looked annoyed; but the next moment resuming that diplomatic gravity which served him as a mask, he said, “ A government situation of about a hun. dred and fifty pounds a year is something that ne youth of your age and im your position should re» fuse to accept. That is to say,” he added, as if — = eo ummm $$ 4Ew St «=| - wWwoee@ & rz GON GoOO the dates,” mr I rr en ———————————Ee eee eee _- SS CO