The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

eee cc SE ST SH MYSTERIOS OF THE COURT. 67 splendid band being in attendance, the alternate quadrille and waltz soon sounded most inspiritingly throughout the mansion. Lady Saxondale performed the part of a hostess with that dignified but quiet air which belongs to high breeding; and truly magnificent did she appear with her grand beauty sot off by all the advantages of a superb toilet. The white ostrich plumes waved gracefully above the head which she carried with a statuesque elegance slightly commingled with hauteur; and no one who now*gased upon that proudly handsome countenance would have for a moment fancied that its serene dignity was but 4 mask veiling the inward troubles of the soul. Ina suite of apartments thronged with splendid speci- mens of the female sex, Lady WAS as- suredly the most superb. There were others more sweetly and interestingly beautiful—such, for ex- ample, as the captivating Lady Florina Staunton, or even Lady Saxondale’s younger daughter Con- stance: but there was not one who in Juno-like majesty of form and splendid pride of glorious womanhood, could be pointed out as a rival to Lady Saxondale.* Bebold her as she now stands, for a few moments a little way apart from the brilliant throng, with one fair hand lightly resting upon the marble- slab of a side-table, surveying the crowds of ele- gantly dressed men, stately dames, and lovely girls whom she has assembled there; and even the veriest anchorite would be compelled to confess that it were a pity to retire from a world embellished by eo superb and magnificent a beauty. It was during an interval between the dances that Juliana, Lady Saxondale’s alder daughter, slipped unperceived from the ball-room ; and going upon the landing, cast a rapid and scrutiniz- ing glance around. Two pages were standing a little way down the staircase, conversing with each other. One of them was Francis Paton, that beau- tifal youth of eighteen whom we have already de- scribed. Juliana called the other page to her, and sent him away on some trifling errand which suggested iteelf at the moment, and which indeed was a mere pretext to enable her to snatch an op- portunity of saymg a word to his good-looking com- The moment he had disappeared down the etairs, Juliana beckoned Frank to approach ; and the colour mantled in vivid scarlet upon the youth’s countenance as he hastened to obey that summons. *Kyank,” said Juliana, her own countenance likewise blushing as she bent upon him the flashing light of her superb dark eyes, “tell me, what was that message you delivered to her ladyship before dinner? I noticed that she seemed annoyed and uneasy; and it has troubled me much.” truth, that the only trouble she had experianced in tho matter was that of the most lively curiosity,—a iosity, indeed, so intense that she had not able to restrain herself until the morrow ere she “It was a woman, Mies, who called,” replied Frank, almost overcome with bashfulness; “and she would insist upon seeing her ladyship.” ‘A weman to be thus impertinent !” exelaimed Juliana, her curiosity still more piqued. ‘ What did she want ?” ‘*¥ do not know, Miss,” returned the page, raising is large liquid hasel eyes for a moment to the -looking panion. \ Juliana might have said, if she had told the euriosity been ( mantling countenance of the patrician young lady, and then casting down his looks again in greater confusion than before. “But what sort of a woman was chef” asked Juliana, in a soft tremulous voice that quivered with the same emotions which made her heart throb ; for she felt consumed with a devouring passion as she fixed her regards upon the beautiful youth before her. “She was @ very common woman, Miss, —« wretchedly dreased—with a cloak and cap. She had no bonnet on——Altogether, I did not like her looks. But I suppose she was some poor woman asking charity or a favour, and not knowing very well how to behave herself.” At this moment the sounds of footsteps ascending the stairs were heard; and Juliana, flinging upon the page a look as expressive of a fervid passion as looks could possibly be, turned hurriedly away and passed into an ante-chamber, where she paused for a few minutes to compose herself—for she felt the blush of her fevered sensations still upon her cheeks. Then, with the image of the beautiful page stall uppermost in her mind—but also still continuing to wonder what the meaning of that mysterious visit to Lady Saxondale could possibly be—she returned into the state-apartmente, where her hand was im- mediately solicited for the ensuing dance. We have already said that Mr. Marlow, one of Lord Saxondale’s guardians, was a‘guest at the banquet. His partner Mr. Malton had also been invited ; but through pressing business, this gentle- man had been unable to reach Saxondale House until the saloons were thrown open for the ball. Though somewhat resembling his partner in per- sonal exterior, he was not of the same bustling and volatile character, but far more precise, cool, and sedately business-like. Shortly after he had made his appearance, Mr. Marlow drew him aside; and they conversed together for a few minutes upon some private matters of their own. *Y shall be unable to come to the office to morrow, said Mr. Marlow, “as I have got some- thing particular to do at home. And yet you and I, Malton, must manage to have an hour’s conversa- tion in the morning relative to that laws-suit :”— alluding to the business of which they had been convarsing, and which was of great importance to their cliente, though of none to the reader. “Shall I run down to you very early?” asked Myr. Malton. “ Why can’t you come home with me to-night ?” sugeested the bustling Marlow, taking off his kid glove and displaying a splendid diamond ring as he ran hie fingers through his hair. “Sleep at my house, and then we can talk over the wholo thing at breakfast-time to-morrow. You are a bachelor,” he added, laughing, “and have no account to give of your conduct to anybody.” “Well, be it so,” responded tho juntor partner after a few moments’ consideration. “When my carriage comes, I will order it to be dismissed.” “ And you will take a seat With me in mine,” was Mr. Marlow’s prompt rejointer. “We shall lcavo at midnight: for I can’t stand late hours :”—and he played somewhat conceitedly with his superb gold guard-chain. \ “Wor I cither,” responded Mr. Malton. This little arrangement being entered into, the ge a o—i—yia NS i COMM ElOOO SS COMM