The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 14 and now, as Ralph was one morning examining the newly-arrived Lincolnshire papers, he was struck by observing a paragraph to the effect that “the venerable Lord Saxondale was lying in a most dangerous condition at the castle, and not to survive many days.” Overjoyed at this announcement, Ralph Fare- field lost not a moment in ordering a post-chaise and proceeding into Lincolnshire. What could be more legitimate than that he, the heir pre- sumptive, if not indeed the heir apparent, should thus hurry off to bis uncie’s death-bed on readin the news of his extreme danger in a public print As be was whirled along in the post-chaise he gave free rein to the diabolical joy of his refleo- tions. Was he not now touching upon the goal of success? Was he not about to reap the rich fruit of hie plans? What though this triumphant success were by crime ?—he cared not! Perish all contrition, all remorse, now that the seme of his hopes was about to be reached! Within a few hours, perhaps, he should hear him- eelf saluted by the swelling titles of “ my lord” and “lordship:” within a few hours, also, he would stand at a window whence the whole do- main that stretched around would be his own ! Peradventure his-uncle was already no more, and he therefore Lord Saxondale and owner of the broad domain at that very moment? Such weré his reflections. There was a maddening joy in them-——an intoxication of bliss—~a frenzy—a deli- rium. On sped the chaise—bhours had passed—it was already entering the well-known territery of Lincolnshire. Ralph bade the gostilions speed if for their ives! Now the horses were chan for the last time—only eight miles from Saxon- dale—in three quarters of an hour he would be there. The blood seemed to gush like fire in his veins——baé nct with pain: it was with ecstacy— with the most fevered, throbbing, tazilling, burn- ing delight. And now the towers and battlemented beild- ings of Saxondale broke upon his view as the sun was descending to its western home; and Ralph Mterally bounded upon his seat inside the chaise. His impationes amounted to a wild fever-heat which water could not slake and wine would roadden. On sped the chaise: and now he was suddenly struck with the necessity of assuming a calm demeanour. This he did: but it was an hypocrisy difficult to assume on the part of one whoin his own base mind felt that he had so many reasons for enthusiastie joy. The post-chaise dashed up to the front entrance of the castle: Ralph immediately looked out of the window, as ene of the folding-doors slowly opened; and the instant his eye caught the countenance of the porter, he read the truth at once. Lerd Sazon- dale was dead ! ‘Khe servants came forth to receive their late master’s nephew : but it was with no hurried step nor welcoming looks. They walked with mea- sured tread and wore & grave demesnonur, as men do where Death has just asserted his omnipotence. Nor did they exactly know ia what manner to re- ecive or address Ralph Farefield. Little skilled in the law, they were unable te decide whether he was now Lord Saxendale or not, inasmuch as shough theinfant heir was missing, there had. been no positive proofs of the babe’s death. As for what Lady Saxendale had done, or might be still doing in London or eleewhere—and as to any dis coveries, more or less important, which she might have made—they tvere utterly ignorant on-all these points, having been kept in the dark re- specting her ladyship's proceedings. Descending from the post-chaise, Relph put » question to the servants, but in a manner which showed that he already anticipated the answer ; and that answer was precisely the one he had alike expected and hoped. Lord Saxondale was indeed no more; but barely an hour had elapsed since the Venerable peor breathed his last. Ralph, as mournful a demeanour as hecould possibly put on, desired one of the servants to conduct him to the apartment of the deceased ; and this command was immediately obeyed. In a few minutes Ralph stood in the chamber of death, and by the couch in which his ancle had a0 recently expired. The Rev. Mr. Clifton and the surgeon withdrew from motives of respect; for woether the heir or not, at all events Ralph was too near a relative not to be treated courteously. Besides, it oocurred to the worthy clergyman that the nephew might be stricken with remorse for his past condust, and that he did not choose to have spectators of the feelings to which he might give veat. Alas! how little did the unsophisticated and well-meaning Mr. Clifton know of the trae natare of the emotions that were now agitating within the breast of that bad man! The nurse did however remain in the room. It wae her privilege—a mournful one, but not the leas sanctioned by custom—to remain with the dead; and Ralph, mindful of her presence, still retained that bypooritical air of sadness which he had put ou for the oceasion. He gazed upon the countenance of the deceased ; and not for a single instant did his heart smite him at the thought that he himself in reality wae the cause of hia uncle's death. But while looking down upon that coun- tenance which was now peaked, thin, sunken, and wan, beneath the finger of the Destroyer, bis mind was wandering» with the speed of a race-horse throughout the sumptuous apartments of the eastie, and over the domain of Saxondale, all of which he looked upon as his own. Bo wae he in these thoughts, even while seeming to contemplate with sadnese the face of the dead, that he did not hear the tramp- ling of horees and the rapid rush of wheela— which sounds however did reach the chamber: Treading noiselessly over the thick carpet, the nurse, who had caught those sounds, approached the window; and slightly lifting the white blind, which was drawn completely down, she glanced forth. It was still daylight, and the nurme could see plainly enough all objects without» Quickly turning away from the window again, she whis- pered t Ralph, “ It is her ledyship's travolling- carriage. Poor thing; I suppose she has some back.” a “ Ah!” Ralph, startled from hie re= verie by this announcement; and then an ex sion of malignant triumph appeared upon his fea- tures, as he thought te himself that the moment was now at hand when he should be enabled te exhib his hatred towards the being whom he had included amonget the number of those that had been such obstacies in his path. “ Hush !" said the eld nurse, placing her fager upon her lip to vemind him that so loud en eja- exlation was but Nttle suited to the solemmiiy of <2 COMICOO SS COMM