The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

Re THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 18 dimple on the chin likewise lingers, though the sweet face has lost somewhat of his chubbiness. Poor little thing! Doubtless it has not been so well cared for ag when beneath this roof. But we will take care that the darling shall not be torn frum. us again.” And desisting for a moment from his enthusi- antic rhapsodies, the good old gentleman bent his eyes upon Ralph, as much as to say that he was at no loss to conjecture whose wickedness it was that had led to the abstraction of the infant. “ Withnat for a single moment wishing to creaiw any bed feeling,” on Ralph not choosing to notice Mr. Clifton’s “but as a matter of common justice to eye —-And I am sure,” he 8 added, suddenly turning towards the surgeon, as a disinterested person, will aoqelt me of avy impropriety -——” “Oh! 1 undecatand yon, sir,” interrupted oon Saxondale, with a somewhat haughty air: wish to be sagured that this is indeed the beloved child that was lost? I might observe that it is only those who are themselves capable of actions the vilest and the basest, that entertain kindred suspicions of others: but in the solemn siroum- stances which haye brought you hither, sir, I will raise no subject for indeoorons altercation. Way, I will even admit that it is natural for you to insist upon receiving those proofs to which you have alluded.” “ Perhaps, then, your ladyship,” said Ralph, ‘* will coadeseend to explain how you recovered of your son: becansy, well-meaning possession and honourably-intentioned as your ladyship may | be, guarantees must be afforded that no deception | has been practised towards yourself by any one who may have been instromentel in in consigning | that child to your care." “ Sir.” answered Lady Saxondale, “ this inter- view ig for many. reasons too painfal to be pro- | Jesg@ed; and: therefore you will pardon me for de- clining to enter upon any verbal explanations at all. Nature herself has afforded the means of re you the best proof that can possibly exist. This gentleman,” she added, flinging a glance to- wards the surgeon, “ received my son at its birth, and eay no doubt testify to ite identity with the child I now hold in my arms.” Thas speaking, Lady Sexondale sat down; and retaining the babe woon her isp, she calmly and deliberately to unfasten ite clothing. Ralph watched her with a suspense that was traly awful to endure. He watched her thus, not orly with intense anxiety to see whether themark would actually appear upon the child's shoulder; bus also did he wateh her to observe whether any trouble was in her own looks—any betrayal on hor part of conscious deception! But no: a grave salemnity ent upon her handsome countenanees; and not a Pm er trembled, nor even appeared to hesitate to do ites work, as she unfastened the strings of the babe’sclothing. This process did not occupy there than. half s minute; but in Ralph's estimation it seemed whote heurs-~and therein ‘were concen- trated the.agonies, the tortures,and the exernoia~ tions of centuries. At length it was. done: the garments were pulled down—and the mark of the strawberry appeared upon the child's s on! Ralph feltanuthilated. He moved not—bespeke not—hescareslyseemed to breathe: but statue-like he stood transfixed, anwtterable though ts working ~ . ee eee oo OB ee, oe ow - ° —~ upon his ghastly countenance. At thesame time, the surgeon, with the methodical precision which is characteristic of his profession, and not with the slightest idea of positively satisfying himself upon the point,—for there was not a doubt upon his mind whioh required clearing up at all—bent down aad for a few moments scru the mark. “ Yee,” he said, lifting his head again: “if I were on ry death-bed, I could unhesitatingly awear to it.” “As a matter of course, madam, I have not another word to say,” murmured Ralph, with sickness at the heart and dizziness in the brain : and then he stood staring with mingled vacancy and wildness upon the infant, as Lady Saxondale calmly and deliberately proceeded to tie the strings of its clothes again. When this was done Lady Saxondale gave the child to Mabel; and rising from her seat, sho said, “Mr. Farefleld, if you wish to attend your late ‘uncle's remains to the tomb, I cannot fur s gin Ble moment offer any objection.” “ Madam |” he ejaculated, starting as if froma dream: then somewhat recovering himself, he appeared to hesitate for a few moments. “ Will you allow me to say one word to your Iadyship in private ?” “ Not in any other privacy than thia,” she an- eswered, walking into the. recess of the window that was remotest from the group: and as the room was very spacious, the distance was suffi- _Glent to place them beyond earshot—for Ralph at ance followed her to that recess. “ Madam,” he said, with the look and voloe of - an utterly broken and helpless maa, “I am woll aware that I ought to expect no favour from your ladyship. But still I would venture to. beseech that you do not altogether saffer me to go forth penniless upon the wide world. For that my uncle has mentioned my name in his will, I can- not. entertain the slightest expectation.” “And Iam eure that he has not,” answered Lady Saxondale. “Bunt 1 do not wish to deal too severely with you, Mr. Farefleld,” she im- mediately added; “though heaven knows! I have suffered enough through your wickedness.” His looks quailed benegth the meaning glance which she bent upon him with the full power of her dark eyes; and he murmuringly said, “I thank you at least for the few cheering words whioh preceded the latter partion of your speech. walls hate- . Tell me, is my presence within these fal to your ladyship? If so, giveme the means, | and | will depart at once——But without them I cannot: for it is a beggar—a veritable beggar— that yeu see: before you !” Lady Saxondale appeared to reflect for some moments: and then she said with more rapid ut- terance than she had previously used, “ When we were boy and girl, Ralph Farefield, we were eompanions; and often and often have we played together, as happy joyous children, in those gar- dens. I cannot think of all that and not feel some little sympathy on your behalfi——thoogh, God knows you do not deserve it! But you cannot remain here: you must depart to-morrow—and I have many things to say to you———Do not mistake me : it ie merely what I purpose to do for your welfare that I wish to speak to youabout. At the same time I do not choose that others” he and she glanced over her shoulder towards the apot — e foe Pe ee eee ee CONNEC MOO SS COMM