The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 298: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 287 rich. I can assure you, Mrs. Chandos, that he is | showing her satisfaction at Henrietia’s answer, “I somewhat anxious to see you after the account I | may at once explain to you my object in putting so gave him of my deliverance from Beech - Tree | strange an inquiry. Instead of keeping a school, Lodge.” Henrietta, you might, if you will, become Lady : “Tt is probably that I shall set off into Wales | Everton.” to-morrow or next day perhaps even this very | The young maiden was overwhelmed with sur- afternoon,” said Lady Bess: “bat on my return | prise at this announcement: the colour went an I will communicate with you.” came in rapid transition upon her cheeks. She At this moment the door opened; and Francis | scarcely knew what to think or what to say. Tha Paton, making his appearance, said to his sister, | prospect was brilliant and dassling; and as it at “T wish to say one word to you before Miss Leyden | once suggested ideas of wealth and independenco— takes her departure.” comfort for her mother, and a happy career for her Lady Bess begged Henrietta to excuse her for a | brother—ehe felt her brain swim with the intoxica- few moments; and wondering what her brother | Gon of bliss. But suddenly recurred to her the re- could have to say, followed him into a little beck | collection that she had been an opera-dancer; and room, where he carefully shut the door before he | in that circumstance she beheld a death-blow to tho explained himself. hope so suddenly and unexpectedly excited in her “What is the meaning of all this mystery, | mind. Lady Bess, watching her countenance car- Frank ?” asked Lady Beas. nestly, observed a cloud succeed the glow of anima- “Just now,” responded Frank, “Adolphus sud. | tion which had at first overspread those delicately denly drew me towards the window; and speaking | beautiful features; and she said, “Tell me all that in a low voice, so that the little boy might not over- | 3s passing in your mind, Henrietta: for on so im- hear what passed, he said, ‘There is something in | portant a subject there must be no reserve.” my mind that I can keep secret no lunger. I love; “It was natural,” responded the young damesol in that sweet beautiful Henrietta Leyden more than I | a tremulous voice, “that I should for a moment can tell you. I love your sister as if she were my | foel bewildered as it were with the dassling bright- sister ; but I love Henrietta with a different feeling. | ness of such a prospect: but no—it cannot be! The other day I could not understand it: but now | Not for an instant would I prove unworthy of the I can. For heaven’s sake go and whisper a few | generous confidence whieh the true and legitimate words in your sister’s ear, and beseech her to ascer- | Lord Everton has demonstrated towards me. Mrs. | tain frum Henrietta whether she loves any one, or | Chandos, I have been a dancer in the ballet at the is under an engagement of marriage. I dare eay, | Opera!” | Frank, you will think this very strange, and per-}| Lady Beas gave no immediate reply, but atill haps very improper on my pert: but I cannot help | gazed earnestly on Henrietta's countenance. In- it.’—It was thus that Adolphus spoke to me.” mocence and candour were there; and the biush | “ T am not at all astonished that he should have | that suffused her cheeks was not that of conscious thus spoken,” said Lady Boss, “I knew that he; shame. The amaszonian lady knew full well by her loved Henrietta; and poor fellow! he is a mere] own experience that female chastity may pass child m many respects. His captivity has robbed | through many ordeals and issue thenco unscathed : him of so many years of life's experience: he is | she knew also that woman's virtue may exist under therefore the creature of impulses—his sentiments | circumstances by no means propitious to its whole- and feelings are in a purely natural state, unwarped | some vitality; and as sho still gazed upon the and unbiassed by worldly or selfish considerations. | sweetly pensive and softly interesting countenance I see no harm in allowing this attachment of his to | of Henrictta Leyden, she could read as if through take its course, provided that Henrietta herself is | a transparent medium the guileless purity of the disengaged: for she is evidently a most amiable and | young girl’s eoul. artless girl, and no doubt of the highest respecta- | “It was necessity,” she said, at length breakinz bility. Return you to Adolphus, and tell him that | silence, “which compelled you to sppear at the his wishes shall be complied with.” Opera ?” Frank accordingly went back to the room where} “It was—the direst necessity ["” answered Hen- Adolphus was left with little Charley, while Lady | rictta, tears trickling down her cheeks at the recol- Bess returned to Henrietta. Resuming her scat, | lection of pest calamities. “ But you yourself have ! she took the young girl by the hand; and looking | had sufficient proof that if I had chosen to stray 1 earnestly in her countenance, said, “I am going to | from the path of virtue, I might have boen sur- speak to you upon a very serious subject. I wish | rounded with luxuries and riches. For what other to put a strange question—and I hope you will purpose was I borne to Beech-Tree Lodge and held believe from the outset that it is from no motive of | captive there P” impertinent curiosity. Indeed, I am incapable of| “No argument is required to convince me, my such a motive.” dear Henrietta, that you aro fully worthy of becom- “But this question P” said Henrietta, naturally | ing the wife of Adolphus. But on this occasion it surprised at being thus seriously addressed. were better, perhaps, that you should not mect “Tell me—are your affections engaged? or is! again. You have a mothor to consult—and he also yuur heart free ?” | will perhaps soon be restored to a parent whose “Oh!” cried Henrietta, with a blush of maiden | wishes he may have to study. It is sufficient that modesty upon her cheeks, “ this is indeed a question | I have ascertained from your lips the freedom of httle expected! But I can answer frankly at once,” | your heart. I will feteh yous little brother to | she continued with a smile: “my heart is altuge- | you.” | ther free.” “'Yee—your advice is most prudent,” said Hen- “In that case,” resumed Lady Bess, her looks ! rictta, “and shall be followed.” She then named > a ECOMICHOOOlKS.Cconn