The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

G qi MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. Adolphus. “ Whither would you choose to go? To Bloomfield P—of on the Continent P” The Countess appeared to feflect for a few mito- ments; and then she said, “ Let it be to Bloom- field. Delightfal is the scenery in that district: the inansion itself is secladed—there are beautiful walks through avenues and lanes embowered with verdure at this season of the year—the air is fresh and revivifying—and we may there hope to regain a healthier tone for our mind and spirits.” “In all this I agree with you, Rthel,” re- sponded the young Earl. “We will depurt to- day——or,” he added, as asudden thought strucit him, “to-morrow at ail events.” “ And why not to-day?’ inqaired Ethel has: tily. . ‘ Because it is possible,” responded Adolphut, “that my presence may be required at the Coro- nor’s inquest upon the murderer atid suicide Makepeace. But I will repair at once and ascer- tain. Meanwhile you can be making all your ptepathtions for departare.” They then issued from the library,thé Coutt: fees repairing to her own chambef, aiid Adolphus preeseding to the station-house to ledrn such pat- ticulars as he needed relative to the inquest. He Was informed that from a communication just re- eeived frotn the Coroner; his presence would fot be tequired; the confession of the deceased fully cleared up the myatery of thd murdef, apart from all other evidence; and if respect to the deed of self-destraction, there was little to be ssid on the subject—for all was clear and apparent. Adoiphus Accordingly returned to the mansion; ahd at two d’eloeck in the aftermoon he took his departure thence, in company with Ethel. The Bloomfield estate, which had long Béén m the Lascelles family, was about thirty niles from London; and, ae Ethel had already briefly dé- serided, it was composed of stotne of tha most Beautiful scenery to be found in thé county where it was situated. Adolphus had brought with him only one valet—Ethel only one maid: for there were sufficient domestics fot all purpodes invari- ably kept at Bloomfield. The arrival of the young Karl and of the widowed Countess+-who was of course believed to Be hid mother-in-law + was heralded by a messenger sent off on horsetack an hour before they started from the metropolis; ant motwithstanding the notice was so short, évery- thing was ready for their suitable reception. The same messenger communitated to thé house- hold at Bloomfield the intelligence of Makepeace’s detection and suicide; and he whispered likewise the exposure which had been niade of the amour of Adolphus and Ethel. The setvants who lis- tened to these tidings, were naturally stricken with astonishment: but it was not their interest to ex- hibit any other feeling than one of welcome to their master and the Countess, when they alighted from the catriage which drew up in front of that beautiful country-seat. During the journey from London Ethel had not spoken one word relative to marriage : she had! many frightful things had occurred—that her feel- Ings had been 40 Karrowed—that her health had saffered so greutly—and that she atood so much in need of repose and rest,—that she felt convinced he would exact from her nothing more than the demeanour of friendship for the present. He, on his side, was only too glad to conciliate her in any way, and td allow fier to follow her own inclina- tions, not to yield an assent: he nevertheless feigned to grant it with rélGctance, and to be im- patient for the time when all the guilty past should be tesustcituted #o fat ds their illicit amour Was concernod. Thoy uatrived at Bloomfield, and took possession of the sepatate suite of chambers prepared for them: but they had their meals together—they passed the day togethet ir-doors, or in rambling through the grounds;—and thus a week went by. During this interval théy recdived a letter from Isabella, whom the tatelfigénes had in the mean. time reached that the guilt of Makepeace was dis- covered and that the wretched man had himself committed saicide. Miss Vincent wrote the fullest details in réspect to @il that had ocurred to her- self,—thus socotihting for her sudden disappear- dncb frovn the Ghrdiners’ farm. She did not omit to mefifion that bhe had accidentally encountered Christian Ashton at Verner Housé—nor how he Kad deliveted her from prtisonage ih tho secret chauiber. She intimated that it wis her purpose to accept the kind invitation of Sir Edgar Beverley did Miss Hall to remain at Verner House until their marriage, which was shortly to take place ;— and the whole tenour of her letter was kind and affectionate—for she felt that in some strangé and unaccountable way 46 had dohe her aunt Ethel dud her coasin Adolphus aa imnmiense injustice by believing that the crime of thé old Earl’s murder rested between thém. As for Adolphus and Ethel themselves, they had too much to think of on their own account to pay ahy particular attention to the fact Of Isabella Having fallén in @ith Christian: dnd brief was the comment which Adolphus made upon the sabject. “Now that we have agrdéd,” hé said, * to bid defiance to thé world ahd sct its opinion at naught —ahd now tod, dearest Ethel, that you are im- proving in health and aspifits, and the fime must be near at hand when yoa will throw yourself into my artis again,—it were afl the better that Ieabella should find a home elsewhere. Let her merry young Ashton: we will make them a hand- some allowance: afd at the same time that we thus rid ourselves of Isabella, we shall be perfurm- ing all our duty towards her.” Ethel assented ; and the subject at once dropped. After breakfast one morning—when Adolphus and the Coantess had been about a week af Bloomfield—she said to the young Karl, with smiling countenance and caressing look, “ You are indeed most kind to devote sb much of your time to me—+—I may sty all your time !” “You see, Ethel,” he answertd, “ that I étudy my best to etigure your happiness. But wheh will given Adolphus to understand that she would sub-| you be altogether mine again ?”—for he was mit to his will in all things,—with the exception | however that she craved some little respite ere she ' again abandoned herself to him as his mistress. ' She represented that her husband had only died so! anxious to rivet as soon as possible the bonds which held them togethef; though At the saute time careful to avoid the appearance of tyrahtizing over her actions or in any way forcing hef incli- recently and had perished so horribly—that so/| nations. CONIC OOO <S