The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 338: what you’re looking at

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_how it is—you want to pick a quarrel with me, glove from the carpet. “This is not your's, at all events ; and I don’t think you can advance it as one of your proofs of fidelity ?”” “To be sure not,” replied Emily, with the calm- ess indifference. “That glove belongs to a better man than you are——although,” she murmured in an undertone, “I Aave quarrelled with him.” “What's that you are saying ?” ejaculated Saxon- dale, livid with rage. “Who has been to see you while I was out? You promised to remain alto- gether alone this evening, as you were not going to the | “ But it appears that I have had a visitor,’ re- torted Emily, with a malicious smile. *‘ And who was your visitor P” demanded Edmund, trembling with rage. “T owe no account of my actions to you,” was the response, disdainfully given. *Yes—but you do, though,” ejaculated Saxon- dale: “for if I thought you had deceived me and were making @ fool of me, you may depend upon it I would not take the thing very easily. But I see drive me out of the house. Perhaps you have got the owner of this glove concealed P or are in hw will come back to reclaim it? By Jove!” he exclaimed, “I have a very great mind to search the whole place from top to bottom.” “Do so,” said Emily, contemptuously. “ But observe, if yeu find no one, I shall take your sus- picious as an outrage leaving no alternative but to break off everything between us.” “You are trying to prevent me from doing what I threatened,” cried Saxondale, “and therefore I will do it.” Thus speaking, he seized up a wax-candle from the mantel-piece and rushed out of the room, leaving the door wide open—while Emily, throwing herself upon the sofa, sent forth a merry musical laugh, which reached his ears as he dashed up the stair- case. " Almost immediately afterway ls the soubretie stole into the drawing-room; and bending over her mis- tress, said with frightened looks, “ Good heavens, ma’am, he will be discovsred !” “What do you mean?” cried Emily, with un- feigned astonishment. “Oh! you know well enough. Lord Harold——” “Lord Harold ?”’ echoed the danseuse. “ He took his departure before Baxondale came.” “But he returned—he told me that I was to admit him—he went up-stairs—he is there now——” “Ah!” ejaculated Emily, the truth instanta- neously flashing to her comprehension. “ But he will not find it though: for it is in a cupboard down etairs,”’ “Find what, ma'am ?” THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 827 concealed in the house, it would not be in Emily’s own chamber, he searched the one immediately be- hind it. Lord Harold Staunton, hearing him rush 80 quickly up the stairs, naturally fancied there was something wrong; and not wishing to quarrel with Saxondale at a time when he entertained matri- monial projects in respect to his mother, he thought to escape unperceived while his friend was in the back room, whither he had heard him enter. But | just at the moment that Staunton was stealing forth, Saxondale eame out again from that room; and they met face to face upon the landing. Then was it that ejaculations of astonishment and rage burst forth from Edmunds lips: for he was instan- taneously struck by what appeared to be the perfidy of bis bosom-friend. As for Staunton, he wag really thrown quite aback; and his natural effrontery availed him not for the moment. “This is too bad, Harold !” said Lord Saxondale, suddenly experiencing the most fiend-like hate against his former friend, but yet not having the courage to testify his resentment in a manly way. Before Harold could make up his mind what re- sponse to give, Emily Archer, closely followed by the soubrette, came hurrying up the atairoase,—the furmer ight merrily. “Very well!” exclaimed Saxondale, white with rage: “this is no longer a place for me. Of course, Lord Harold, everything is at an end between ws and as I understand that you have been on a visit to the Caste, I hope that for decency’s sake you will not again set foot in any house that will one day be mine.” Having thus spoken, and without waiting for any reply, — indeed, not without a fear thet Harold | might probvebly kick him down stairs,—Lord Saxon- dale turned abruptly round and sped away with @ rapidity which had ignominious in it, and almost gave him the air of being the injuring party instead of the one who wasinjared. Neither Harold nor Emily made a movement or uttered a word to retain him : for the former felt all the awk- wardness of his situation, while the latter was per- fectly indifferent so far as her late admirer was oun- cerned—and indeed, was not sorry to be quit of him. But so soon as he had disappeared from her view, she suddenly ceased laughing ;—aend with a dignity which even the most depraved of women can assume at times, she advanced up to Staunton, saying, “ You are a detestable villain !” “Ah! these are harsh terms, Emily!” ejaculated the young nobleman, his countenance becoming suffused with crimson. “Dare not address me in that familiar style !”— then turning to her soudretie, Emily said, extending her arm and pointing towards Harold, “That man is a robber—e lurking thief—a sneaking burglar |” “By God! Emily, this is more than I can en- | dure!” exclaimed Staunton, all the coluur vanishing At this moment ejaculations of astonishment and | from his face and leaving it livid pale bursting from Saxondale’s lips on the landing “Yese—you are everything I have described. Frage, above, reached the ears of the danseuss and the Begone, my lord!—or as true as I am a living soubrette. mayed: but the former, bursting out into a hearty For s moment the latter looked dis- | woman, I will give you into custody for felony.” “TI will make you repent this,” muttered Harold ft of laughter, exclamed, “Oh! this is excellent— | between his teeth, as he passed by the danseuse this is delicious! Will it not be something to be | and began descending the stairs. talked about? Come, let us see!” Meanwhile Lord Saxondale had ascended to the ' mingled « You will make me repent?” she exclaimed, in mockery and indignation. “ Begone, sneak- landing above; and thinking that if a lover were ing thief! I defy you:” COMIC LOO