The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 192: what you’re looking at

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

| _ THE MYSTERIE And there lay the Duke of Marchmont, stretched upon the ground, close bya gate against which the Lascar was leaning when seen in discourse with nis lordship. Down sprang the servante from the box; and the ex-milliner alighted from the carriage. The Dake was found to be insensible: indeed at first they thought he was dead : but in a few minutes they ascertained that he was merely stunned. * This looks uncommon like a violent blow, dealt with a bludgeon,” said the footman, directing at- tention to the marks of a severe contusion upon the temple. “There’s no doubt of it!” ssid the coachman. “That Lascar scoundrel must have knocked the poor gentleman from his horse : because this is the very epot where we saw them talking just now— and it isn’t to be supposed that the horse threw the gentleman off all of a sudden before he had moved an inch awsy from the place.” “Convey hirh into the carriage,” said Madame Angelique: “we have no means of restoring him here—we will take him to the villa.” “ And what about that rascally Lascar, ma’am P’ inguired the footman. “What can be done?” said Madame Angelique. “The fellow is doubtless at some distance by this time Besides, our first consideration is for this eman———” “ He looks a person of distinction,” observed the footman, as he assisted the coachman to convey the inanimate form of the Duke into the car- riage. “ Now make haste home!” said Madame Ange- ligne, as she settled herself inside in such a way as to sustain the head of the unconscious March- mont. The domestics sprang up to the box; and the Jane happened fortunately to be at this part wide enough for the equipage to turn. It proceeded rapidly along towards the villa; and in the mean- while Madame Angelique did her best to recover the Duke by fanning his countenance with her kerchief. His chest began to heave—slowly at first—then with more rapidly consecutive convul- sions: his painful gaspinge appeared to be bring- ing back the vital breath, and setting the respira- tory functions to work. He opened his eyes for a moment—but closed them again,—evidently without having comprehended where he was, nor who was with him. In a few minutes his lipe began to waver; and he murmured some words. They were incoherent, save and except in reference to one word—-and that was a name—the namo of his long-lost brother Bertram! Madame Angelique listened with the suspenseful curiosity of one who expected to hear something more, and who had a sort of vague pre- sentiment that it would be of importance,—though without at all anticipating what ite nature might be, or why she should have that impression. Her eyes were intently fixed upon the Dake’s counte- nance—which was very pale. His own eyes were elosed: the mark of the contusion, and of abrasion likewise, was now more plainly visible than at firat : it was evidently the result of a very fierce _ apd savage blow which had deprived the Duke of consciousness—and most probably, as the domes- tics had surmised, knocked him from his horse. Again was there a wavering of the lips: again OF THE COURT. 181 did he give utterance to some words; and though his speech continued incoherent, yet were the words themeelves audible as well as intelligible. Madame Angelique started: feelings of mingled | wonderment, dismay, and horror seized upon her; | and the very expression which they gave to her |; countenance, suddenly congealed as it were there, —remaining fixed and rigid upon her features. Her breath was suspended as she continued to listen with the profoundest, awfullest interest. Again the Duke spoke,—his frame now writhing with the pangs which frequently accompany re- turning consciousness after a state of insensibility ; and at the same time too it appeared as if these physical pains engendered mental ones, blending therewith in a strong convulsing aguny. Under these joint influences did the Duke continue speak- ing—inooherently, but distinctly audible: and with increasing astoundment did Madame Ange- lique listen. The end of the lane was now reached; and there it appeared that some man who was passing had caught the riderless horse. The footman from the box shouted forth instructions as to whither the man was to lead the animal; and the equipage continued its way. The Duke was now rapidly recovering; and by the time the carriage reached the villa, he was sitting up, endeavour- ing to gather his recoliections—and endeavouring also to comprehend what was being said to him by Madame Angelique, whom as yet however he did not completely recognise. Though the ex-milliner had now regained her perfect self-possession,—yet if the Duke were com- pletely sensible, he could not have failed to perceive that there was a sense of appalling wonderment in her soul—visible even beneath the gloss of composure which she now wore. She had learnt a tremendous secret; and she was studying to have the appearance of one whose mind had not been disturbed beyond the excitement which might naturally be supposed to have arisen from the adventure iteelf. Just as the carriage drove up to the front door of the villa, the Duke recognised who his companion was; and this recognition seemed to give a sudden impulse to his intellect generally. He was assisted from the equipage; and leaning on the footman’s arm, he walked into the parlour. The man who had caught his horse was dismissed by Madame Angelique with a liberal gratuity : and the animal itself was consigned to the stable. The Duke was deposited upon a sofa: some refresh- ing beverage was administered ; and as he was now completely sensible, Madame Angelique gave him to understand— without being observed by the do- mestics present—that his name and rank need not be revealed unless he thought fit. He made a sign to the effect that it would be better fo observe caution on the point; and Madame Angelique soon found an opportunity of dismissing the footman and Jane from the apartment, on the plea that the gentleman was rapidly recovering. The ex-milliner and the Dake were now alone together. The former explained how she herself had relieved the Lascar, who most unaccountably affected to be unable to comprehend her—how she had seen that man and the Duke in conversation together—and how the spectacle of the riderless horse had induced her to turn back towards the | GOnNGIOOKSHeOn