The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 385: what you’re looking at

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374 THE MYSTERIES OF THR CO UBT, might see the extent to which Lord Harold and | yourself would go in your endeavours to enmesh me | in your snares. If Lord Harold showed you the next day the letter which I sent him, you must have seen full well that not for a single moment was I made your dupe. I suffered myself to be robbed of a few thousand pounds for a certain reason of my own——But of that no matter. You would now do well to attend to what Lady Macdonald may have to say.” «Well then, what is it?” demanded Edmund, his lips trembling with rage as he bent his spiteful looks upon Florina’s aunt—while the young dameel her- self sat by Mr. Gunthorpe’s side, grave and serious, and with her eyes bent down. “I do not wish, Lord Saxondale,” resumed Lady Macdonald, ‘to touch more than is necessary upon that lamentable occurrence which, if you possess any heart at all, must have affected you. But it is ne- ceasary for me to state that I consider your conduct in maintaining such a connexion while formally en- gaged to my niece, to have been most di Therefore, you cannot be surprised when I request that you will consider her engagement with your- self to exist no longer.” “Indeed, I shall consider nothing of the sort!” he exclaimed flippantly. “I am well aware that Filo loves me-—-I am sure of it—although she may be offended at the moment.” “Lady Fiorina Staunton,” said the aunt, with severe tone and look, “has only been kept in the room during this unpleasant scene, that she may, if necessary, give from her own lips an assurance en- tirely corroborative of mine.” “What!” ¢ Edmund: “ do you mean to tell me, Flo, that you don’t love me? Im eure you won't say that 7” “I am compelled to speak plainly and frankly “Té is you who have done this mischief!” cried the nobleman, starting up from his seat and ad- dressing Mr. Gunthorpe menacingly. “ You are | they mean? and pray who are you ?” “ Lord ” said the old gentleman, slowly rising from the sofa and bending a stern look upon the aristocratic stripling, “ it is altogether useless for you to affect the airs of the bully with me. If you dare to talk thus in the presence of one of your own sex, it is not difficult to imagine what your conduct would be before thuse ladies, were they unprotected and alone.” Oh! don’t take things up quite so sharp,” jecu- lated Edmund, overawed by the old gentleman’s nda oY be then turning to Lady Macdonald, he said, “I hope you will forgive me for the past—I don’t want to break off with Flo—I am very fond of her—and I will turn over a new leaf and be quite steady. Indeed, I mean to leave London for two or three months: I have just been with Lord Pe- tersficld, who is going as Ambaseadar-Extraordinary tw Vienna—and I am to acoompany him. The fact ta, IT am heartily sick of the life I have been lead- ing, and want change of scene: but if you desire it, | Lady Macdonald, I will stay in London, and show you that I can become more steady.” “Jam glad, Edmund,” said her ladyship, in a kinder tone than she had befure used, “to hear you talk in this manner; and I do most sincerely hope that you will reform. I think you would do well te absent yourself for a time — especially as you are going with your Lord Petersfield—a noble- man of such high honour and integrity ——” Here & suppressed ejaculation from Mr. Gun- thorpe drew all attention towards him: but he sud. denly fell into a fit of coughing so as te cover the abrupt paroxysm of grief and rage into which that eulogy upon Lord Petersfield had thrown him. “ Yes, Edmund,” continued Ledy Macdonald, “you will do well to proceed to the Continent. But the decision which you have heard pronounced, is irrevocable; and from this moment you must look upon Fiorina only asa mere acquaintance. I shall to-morrow write to Lady Saxondale to inform her that the engagement is broken off.” Edmund turned abruptly away—muttered some threatening words to Mr. Gunthorpe, who heeded them not—and flung himself out of the room, bang- ing the door violently behind him. A few minutes ture, and entering his carriage, ordered it to drive together in their little garden. maiden was now fully acquainted with her brother's love for Florina; and we need scarcely say that she entertained the most fervent hope it would be crowned with happiness. They knew that Mr. Gan- thorpe had written to Lady Macdonald at Saxon- dale Castle—knew also that in this letter he had made an appointment to call upan her at ber own house in Cavendish Square on that particular after- mae per ahcnaher ai armen rn Areas that he would call at their villa on hie way back to Stamford Hill Nor were they disappointed : for at about five o’clock in the evening, their worthy old friend made his appearance. Most cordial was the greeting he recaived from the brother and sister : conducted him into their tastefully furnished perlour—and he gladly accepted of some refresh- ments; for he had taken nothing since he left his own house in the morning. Not a single word to William and Angela did Mr. Gunthorpe breathe of the circumstances which make her comprehend the necessity of withdrawing herself and her niece at once froan Lady Saxon- dale’s society. Lady Macdonald, not ohoosing to break with Lady Saxondale abruptly until she should have received fuller particulars from my lips, proffered some pretext to account for the speedy de- parture of herself and Fiorina from the castle. They arrived in town yesterday; and just now, ac- cording to an intimation which I gave Lady Mao- donald in my letter, I called in Cavendish Square. Need I tell you, William, that you now stand hicher GORMIGOOOKS CO