The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 327: what you’re looking at

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

816 not be left in the enjoyment of it. To-morrow, before you ere restored to freedom, mast you be- queath nine-tenths of your ill-gotten riches to the charitable institutions of the British metropolis; and on this condition only shall you be liberated. If you refase, the law shall take cognisance of your crimes—the penalty of which will be trans- portation to a distant settlement!” Madame Angelique began to weep, moan, end lament: but Queen Indora remained unmoved by the vile woman’s grief. “You, Mr. Stanhupe—and you, Mrs. Oxenden,” resumed her Majesty, “have sufficient reasons to maintain « profound secrecy in respect to the transactions of this night. As for that man there ” —thus alluding to the Burker—“oare will be taken that he sball have no opportunity of reveal- ing in this country whatsoever he may have seen or heard within these walls. I know,” continued Indora, pow again fixing her eyes on Madame An- gelique, “that in passing sentence upon you, I have usurped an authority derived only from the lew of morality and not from the law of this country’s code: but you will not dare to pro- claim to the world this incident of the night's trensactions. And with regard to ali the rest, you will for your own sake observe a similar secrecy: for remember that though you may cease to be my prisoner, you will not cease to be amenable to the law for your past crimes!” Having thus spoken, Queen Indora descended from the throne, and issued from the apartment. Immediately afterwards Purvis, acoompanied by several domestics of the household, entered that room. The two Hindoo guards conducted the Burker to e subterranean place, in which he had been confined ever since he became @ captive at Oaklands: the domestics led off Mrs. Oxenden, Madame Angelique, and Wilson Stanhope to the chambers which they respectively occupied: but mo such surveillance was necessary in regard to Amy Sutton. The Queen, on leaving the tribunal, proceeded to that room where the usurper Duke of March- mont had been confronted with Travers—or Army- tage, as we had better continue to val! him, inas- much as he preserved his assumed denomicatiun. On the entrance of Indora, Armytage rose from his eeat, and made a profound obeisance. “Every promise which has been held out to ad said her Majesty, “ shall be faithfully kept. wretched criminal whose gold succesded in bribing you to silence in respect to his guilt, hes confessed his enormons crime. But you have now to learn that there was lawful issue from the mar- riage of the late Duke and Duchess; and that amiable brother and sister whom you have so often seen at your daughter’s house, are the twin off- spring of that marriage.” Nothing could exceed the astonishment of Armytage on hearing this intelligence ; and when the first sense of wonderment wes he clasped his hands, exclaiming, “Oh ! how will they ‘ever forgive me for having kept a secret the reve- Jation of which might long ago have given them their rights Pf” “No,” answored the Queen: “ that revelation ‘woald merely have proved the usurping Duke's guilt and the innocence of Bertram Vivian. But avt until very lately was it known that Christien THD MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. and Christina Ashton were the offepriag of the ducal house of Marchmont. On them, therefore, your long- maintained silence in respect to the real murderer’s crime hae wrought no injury. It is the pardon of Bertram Vivian which you have to ask ; and that forgiveness will be acoorded. The resalts of my plens have been such that a complete expo- sare of all the detaile of the past will be avoided ; and your name need not be mentioned in a manser to make your amiable daughter blush for it. She need never know that you have for besa cognizant of the great guilt of him who has this night been led to confess everything. And if so much care has been taken in respect to your repa- tation, it is not for your own sake—but it is for the sake of your amiable Zoe, whom Christina loves so well! To-morrow you will be restored to freedom ; and may the rest of your life be passed in a manner to be contemplated with satisfaction. You go forth into the world again as a man freed from debt-I may say as a rich man. Yoer daughter's fortune, which you had squandered, is replaced : you will not have to blesh nor lament when you again meet her. I¢ will be your own fault if you do not henceforth live in com‘ort and prosperity; and should yoa by renewed epecula- tions reduce yourself to distress, you mast not hope that a helping hand will again be stretched out to save you.” _ Armytage fell at the Queen’s feet, pouring forth his gratitude for her kindness, and vehemently pro- that his experiences of speculation had been far too bitter not to afford a lesson that he would never forget. Indora issued from that room ; and on the land- ing she met Mr. Coleman, the solicitor, who was just descending the stairesse leading to the fleor above. He held in his hand a folded document; and presenting it to the Queen, he said, “ Madaa, I have the pleasure of placing in your hands this complete confession of the dyiag criminal.” Indora took the paper; and opening it, she glanced at the signature, which was treaaleusly written. The namee of Mr. Coleman, a physicwo, and of Purvis, the steward, were ap as those of the witnesses. That document was the proof of Bertram Vivian’s innocence. The Queon’s aim was now accomplished : the hope which had long inspired her was faldiled : the object for whieh she had toiled, wae achieved! The stigma was re- moved fremr the name of him whom she had 60 long and eo devotedly loved! She had been sus- tained by a wondrous throaghoat all the manifold proceedings which had been leading to this result: but now that ft was accomplished a sudden reaction took place within her —the joy of success was almost more than she could endure— she staggered against the wall for eapport—se felt as if she were about to faint. Mr. Coleman hastened to procure a giase of water; and when the Queen had partaken of the refreshing beverage, - she was revived. She entered an adjacent apartment, attended by Mr. Coleman; and she said to bim, “Is it, then, ao we conjectured P—hae the shock been tne mach———” “It is eo, your Majesty,” answered the sulic tor. “The physician declares that the unhappy man cannot survive many hvars.” “And his wife—the unfortunate Levinia—ebe COMM el cS) \ (CO ELDOO