The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 325: what you’re looking at

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

, Sie THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. - 814 at length within a few days of the opening of the Opera, Mr. Gunthorpe arrived in London. By in- quiry of the manager he found out where we were residing: for in the general interdiction against Angela’s address being given at the theatre to any- body, a special exception was made in favour of our old friend. ‘You know with what success my sister made her debué in London, and how she has achieved a succession of triumphs. Once more re- ferring to that unfortunate affair of the duel, I must observe that Mr. Gunthorpe discovered it was to take place, and came upon the ground to prevent it. You can have no difficulty, in conjecturing, my dear Florina, from whom he obtained the information. I was compelled on that morning to suffer the kind old gentleman to undergo eome indignity on the part of the seconds in the duel: they bound him to a gate in order to prevent his interference. But had I acted in his defence, I should Anve incurred the risk of being proclaimed a coward, and my inter- vention on his part would have been ascribed to a desire on my own to esvape th duel. Daring the week that I lay so dangerously {ll in pomssequence of my wound, Angels did not appear at-thé Opera, the apology being a severe indisposition. And now, Florina, I have told you everything that rogards | myself: I have not condsaled from you my humble parentage—" “And if possible” murmured the beauteous creature, “I lové you all the more for your can- dour. But thtu® mysterious words which your father uttered upon his death-bed, seem to ring in my ears as if I myvelf had heard them.” “And I aleo think of them often,” responded Deveril. “It would seem as if a person of the name of Thompsoh, the manager of a strolling troop—most probably that to which my parents at the time belonged-—is ecquainted with the secret. to which my father alluded in his last moments. You may be sare that immediately on my arrival in England I institated inquiries amonget persons acquainted with dramatic affairs, to ascertain if this Thompeon could be heard of. I alsv inserted some advertisements in the newspapers, requesting him to communicate his address; and, if needful, he should be liberaily rewarded. But the steps I thus took all proved vain; and therefore am I fearful that my father’s secret bas died with him.” At this moment the clock over the entrance-tower of Saxondale Castle proclaimed one; and the lovers were thus made aware that they had been full two hourstogether. Almost immediately afterwards the bell rang for iuncheoa; and Florina, starting from the seat, exclaimed, “ We must separate now, dear William! for if I do not answer that summons, a domestic will be sent to inform me that luncheon is served up.” “ How long, think you, dearest Florina, that you will stay at Saxondale Castle?” asked Deveril- “The invitation was for some weeks,” she re- sponded: “but if I must dissimulate my aversion and horror of Lady Saxondale, it will be impossible to play the hypocrite so long. I could not do such Violence to my feelings——” “ Perhaps circumstances may transpire to abridge your visit,” said Deveril. “For instance, if Mr. Gunthorpe should advise, after all that has passed between you and me to-day, that everything which we have learnt concerning Lady Saxondale should | . — as a = Bae ip 2 Ghar iieGe (emits aeat—w be made known to your sunt——fr rembmber Mr. Gunthorpe is, as he informed me, the intimate friend of your uncle the Marquis of Eagledean, and ke may therefore feel himself justified in inter- fering to save you and Lady Macdonald from the contamination of Lady Saxondale’s society ——” “In that case,” ejaculated Florina, “my sunt would flee away in a moment. She is a good woman, though worldly-minded, but upright and conscientious.” We shall see what will happen,” said Deveril. “Meanwhile you smust, dear Florina, dissemble your feelings towards Lady Saxondale, whatecever amount of violencd you may do yourself. And now farewell for the present, my well-beloved! To- morrow I must return to London.” * Farewell, doarest William——farewell.” The lovers embraced tenderly and affectionately, and then separated. CHAPTER LVYV. GHB ACCIDENT AND THR RESCUR. Wrritram Deveriz scaled the low fence, traversed the park, and by making a sinall circuit, regained the river’s bank, which not only led towards Gains- borough, but likewise constituted the most agrecable walk: for he thereby avoided the dasty highway. He_had come on foot in order to avoid exciting suspicion by the presence of a vehicle waiting in the neighbourhood; and thes he had a good walk of s6me few miles befute him. Ho was still rathor too enfeebled from the effects of the duel to take eo much exercise: but what fatigues would he not have dared in order to obtam an interview with Florina !-and what weariness was there that could not be compensated for by the delicious reflections inspired by all that had just taken place! Indeed, our young hefo felt as if he were alto- gother a new being. Never had his heart felt so light--never had his spirits seemed so buvyant. A new strencth appeared to invigorate him: he felt as if entering entirely upon anuther phase uf cxist- ence. As ho was proceeding alonz the bank of the river enjoying the luxury of his reflections, he observed a strange-looking woman appruaching from the con- trary direction. She was dressed in a sordid slovenly manner—indeed, wretchedly clad: a dirty white cap appeared beneath an old straw bonnet; and though it was the middle of summer, she wure a dingy-coloured cloak all tattered round the lower edge. As she drew nearer still, Deveril could not help observing that her features were singularly harsh, coarse, and repulsive; and she had altogether 8 look of a sinister charactor. “T suppose,” she said in @ grating voice, “that building I see yonder is Saxondale Castle?” “It is,” replied Deveril. “‘Thank you for the information,” said the woman : and passing him by, she continued her way in the direction of the barunial structure. Deveril, as he walked on, could not help wonder- ing what that woman wanted at the Castle, and he concluded that she was one of those who go about the country seeking the charity of wealthy individuals. But while these thoughts were still OO) (G CY SS