The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 352: what you’re looking at

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

THY MSYTERIES OF THE COURT. S41 hour,” said Lady Saxondale, “ while I repair to the again! Walk in, sir. Mother, here is Mr. Deveril library to write a few letters.” —and another gentleman along with him.” Thus speaking, she quitted the room. But herv| “They are both heartily welcome,” said the old absence was not longer than she had specified; ani woman, making her appearance; and in the kind- on her return she sat down to join’ in the conversa- ness of her heart she grasped Deveril’s hand. tion with her daughter and her guests. Our young hero and Mr. Gunthorpe entered the little sitting-room of the cottage, where the old woman's daughter welcomed Deveril in her turn. But there were two other persons in this room— two females. One was handsomely dressed, and had the air, if not exactly of a lady, at least of & person in good circumstances; while the other, who appeared to be her maid, carried a large brown Ir was about half-past eight o’eluck on this same | paper parcel in her hand. It immediately struck evening of which we are speaking, that Mr. Gun- | Deveril that he had seen the countenance of the thorpe and William Deveril set out on foot from an lady before: but he could not at the instant re- hotel at Gainsborough, where they had arrived | collect when or where. during the afternoon ; and they proceeded along the | “Sit down, gentlemen,” said the old woman, bank Of the river towards Saxondale Castle. The | bustling about to give Mr. Gunthorpe and our sun had gone down half-an-hour y: the | hero chairs: “there's plenty of room. Well, we twilight was waning—the dusk was setting in—but | 4ave got company this evening! Who would have by the appearance of the evening there was no pro- | thought it? This lady and her maid have taken bability of the darkness being so great as to render ,% longer walk than they meant to do, as they the walk by the side of the Trent at all dangerous. | sy—and were eo tired they were obliged to step Deveril, moreover, had been there before, and per-|in and sit down for a few minutes. But what fectly remembered the various features of the route. | Will you take, gentlemen ? Our fare is humble. “I wonder whether the fellow Chiffin will keep | yet such as it is, you are most welcome.” Qa CHAPTER LXXI. A TRAGEDY. his appointment,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, after they had walked a considerable distance—and it was now | ingly thirsty. past nine o'clock. “I think there can be no doubt of it,” replied | Deveril. “The man is evidently one who will do anything for money; and the prospect of receiving a large reward from you, air, will win him over to “ My friend here,” answered Deveril, “is exceed- A draught of water, or milk——” “Or cider?” exclaimed the old woman. “We have got some good cider; and this lady and her maid have pronounced it excellent.” “‘Yes—that assurance I can certainly give you, gentlemen,” said the handsomely-dreesed female, our interests. But really I am quite ashamed when | who had never taken her fine dark eyes off Deveril I think of all the trouble you are taking on my be- | since the first moment he entered the cottage: half—and | what is more still, all the money you are | for she was evidently struck by the exceeding beauty of his person, as well perhaps by having g:” “Stuff and nonsense !” ejaculated Mr. Gunthorpe | heard his name mentioned by the old woman’s petulantly. “How often am I to tell you not to | son when he made his appearance. address me in that way? If you ever speak to me| Deveril bowed courteously as she spoke; and again in such terms, I shal] think that you mean | again it struck him that he had seen her bofore. intentionally to offend me.” “If it be not impertinent, sir,” she said, “are “No, my dear sir—you cannot think that: be- | you the Mr. Deveril whoee name created so much care you know it to be impossible. On the con-| sympathy on a recent occasion P’— then as our trary, you would doubtless consider it very extra- | hero again bowed, though somewhat distantly— odinary if I did not express all my gratitude |for he did not much like the hardihood of his towards you. Ah! it was here,” suddenly exclaimed | questioner’s looks,—she exclaimed, “Ah! I am Deveril, “that I rescued that strange woman from | well acquainted with Lord Harold Staunton, and drowning; and yonder is the cottage to which we | his intimate friend Lord Saxondale too.” were both conveyed. You perceive that glimmering light ?” “Yes,” said Mr. Gunthorpe; “and I tell you “Do you come from London, then ?” inquired Mr. Gunthorpe, in his blunt manner. “I reside habitually in London,” was. the re- what, William—I feel uncommonly thirsty; and we | sponse ; “ but alittle business has brought me down will just step out of our way that much, and call | upon those good peasants. There is plenty of time: for Chiffin will of course wait for us. That con- founded soup at the hotel in h was 50° salt that it has left my throat as dry os if I hed been eating red Mr. Gumthorpe and Deveril accordingly turned away from the bank of the river and approached the | eotiage, which they reached in a few minutes. On knocking into these parte. I dare say,” added the lady, — “that my name is not unfamiliar to you, gentlemen. I am Mademoiselle D’Alembert of the Italian “Ah!” ejaculated Deveril, now instantaneously recollecting where he had seen her countenance before. “ Yese—that is my name,” she continued, flatter- ing herself that it was in admiring surprise that the at the door it was opened by the peasant young gentleman had sent forth that exclamation. himeelf, who instantaneously recognising Deveril as ‘‘ But come,” she added, addressing herself to her the light from the room streamed upon his coun- tenance, gave vent to an ejaculation of surprise and | e-em Gi: = wP bam + a soubrette ; “we must be off.” Rising from her seat, she ostentatiously took from ‘hee purse a sovereign, which she tendered to the old | «This is kind of you, sir, to come and see us woman of the cottage, who literally confounded os agnere- G2 GEG. pee COMIC LOO CO