The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIE£S. “Young lady, I forbid you to injure that animal!” cried Mrs. Lindley, in a far louder and more excited tone than she was accustomed to speak. “Put it down again, I say!” And she endeavoured to wrest the cat from T'er- nanda’s grasp. “Be quiet—I command you!” exclaimed Miss Aylmer. “ We shall disturb the house ¢ “True—my God!” murmured the midwife, falling back into her chair. At the same moment the cruel and merciless young lady forced the orifice of the bottle into the cat’s mouth; and poured a considerable quantity of the fluid down its throat. Then, rising suddenly from her seat, she let the animal drop upon the rug, where it lay motionless; and the atmosphere of the room was impregnated with a strong odour of almonds. “ Now are you satisfied?” demanded Mrs. Lind- ley, in a tone of gloomy rage. “The poor animal was killed in a moment—as if struck by lightning,” *T am sorry that I should have deprived you of a favourite, my good friend,” responded Fernanda, almost gaily—so pleased was she at the result of her experiment: “but I can assure you that I am much happier now that I have acquired the certainty of - consummating my vengeance at any moment. Fare- well, Mrs. Lindley : you need fear nothing!” * Will you not see your friend Caroline Walters, before you leave ?’”’ inquired the midwife. “Not this evening—not this evening,” answered Miss Aylmer, impatiently: “I amin too great a hurry to see your relative, William Dudley.” The young lady then took her departure. As soon as she was gone the midwife lifted the dead cat from the rug: and as she did this, a heavy sigh escaped from her breast. For this infernal old hag, who held human life as naught, and who with- out compunction conld cast a new-born child to the deep waters of the Thames,—this fiendish wretch found her heart moved to compassion by the fate of a favourite cat! Nay, more—she descended into her back kitchen; and, raising a stone with some sharp instrument, she dug a hole with a fire-shovel, and interred the cat then and there. And as she threw _ back the earth, a tear fell from her eye: for she re- membered how the huge beast had loved her, and how it was wont to purr when she caressed it. But never, when making away with an infant babe, had the vile old harridan paused to reflect how sweetly it would smile and how prettily its little chin would wreathe into dimples, if it were only permitted to live! Yes—it was with all the solemnity of a funeral, apart from the prayers and the coffin, that the de- testable midwife thus buried her great black cat ;— and let not the reader wonder at this incident nor deem it exaggerated—for not many years have elapsed since that mighty hero, the valorous Field- Marshal Prince Albert, interred his dog Eos with almost Christian obsequies in the grounds attached to Windsor Castle ! Having disposed of the corpse of her cat, Mrs. Lindley returned to the parlour and sate down to re- flect upon the dangers which she was likely to incur from the new step that Fernanda Aylmer was taking. At length her fears increased to such an extent, that she was resolved to adopt some energetic proceeding in order to warn Arthur Eaton of his danger. repair at once to Lord Marchmont’s mansion and obtain an interview with that nobleman’s son. But then, might she not encounter her relation, William Dudley ?—and, allured by the gold of Fernanda Aylmer, -would not this individual betray to the young lady the circumstance of the old midwife’s visit ? Yes :—this was a difficulty, however, that was not insurmountable; and, opening her desk, Mrs. Lind- ley penned the following letter :— “JT am waiting in a hackney-coach close by. If you value your safety come out and speak tome. I have something of the utmost importance to communicate. But you must not allow William Dudley to learn that I am so near. “THE MIDWIFE OF ForE STREET.” Having sealed this letter, she addressed it in a feigned hand to the Hon. Arthur Eaton, writing the word “ Private” on the envelope. Then, muffling herself up in a cloak, the hood of which she drew over her head, Mrs. Lindley sallied forth—took a hackney-coach at the nearest stand—and ordered the driver to proceed to Hanover Square. In due time the vehicle stopped according to her instructions, within a short distance of Lord March- mont’s mansion; and the coachman delivered the note at the front door. Several minutes elapsed, dur- ing which Mrs. Lindley remained in torturing sus- pense. Mr. Eaton might not be at home—perhaps he would not return until very late—and, in this case, — what was she todo? ‘The murder might be accom- plished before morning ; and justice might eventually trace out her complicity in the deed ? But these reflections were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of the Hon. Arthur Eaton; and Mrs. Lindley, leaning forward so that her lips almost touched his ear at the window of the vehicle, said in a low, hoarse whisper, “ Fernanda has been with me this evening—and she is resolved upon your death. A poison which kills its victim as if he were struck by a thunderbolt, isin her possession; and she will not scruple to use it.” “T thank you sincerely—most sincerely for this information,’ answered Mr. Eaton, in the same sub- dued tone. ‘ Now you have given me a proof of better feelings on your part—and you shall not re- pent your altered conduct. Farewell.” With these words he hurried back into the man- sion; and the vehicle immediately drove away. CHAPTER L. THE POISONERS. It was midnight,—deep midnight, as proclaimed by all the c:ocks in the vast metropolis ; and a profound silence reigned throughout the mansion of Lord Marchmont in Hanover Square. But, hark! —a door, slightly creaking on its hinges, opens on one of the upper storeys; and a man, who has not laid aside his clothes, nor thought of retirmg to his couch, comes forth. He bears in one hand a candle, which he shades with the other; and the light shines upon the countenance of Wil- liam Dudley. There is an unnatural pallor upon those cheeks usually florid and healthy: a sinister gleaming ap- Her measures were soon decided upon. She would | pears in the eyes that are wont to have so meek and er — Com Cclooolkks.conn