The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. we ee ee eee ee ee Florina’s own voice,— “William,” repeated Lady Saxondale, “tell me, wherefere are you thus moved? why do you listen to me in such deep embarrassment —I might almost say with pain? Is it possible, I once more ask, that you do not comprehend me ?” “No, no,” he cried vehemently: “I do not com- prehend you. For heaven’s sake, explain your- self!” “Oh! why will you drag from my lips, in th incompetent form of words, those feelings that gush upward from the heart ?—for the feelings them- selves are full of ardour and passion, but words are cooled by the breath on which they are wafted. But if I must be thus explicit, understand me then at last :”—and after a moment’s pause Lady Saxon- dale added with strong accentuation, ‘ William Deveril, I love you!” Although from the instant Lady Saxondale had vegun this last speech, the young artist was pre- pared for the avowal just made, yet when it did fall from the lady’s lips—and that so abruptly too— | 107 you not pleased with this avowal of love which have so frankly made? But do not mistake me! It is not as a husband that I seek you—it is not as a wife that I offer myself. No, no—the world must not know our love! And therefore it is as a mistress that I abandon myself to you! Yes, this tre- mendous sacrifice of honour, and virtue, and all that a@ woman should hold most dear, do I make for the maddening passion that I experience for you. O William, do you refuse such a love as this? Ne, you cannot—you will mot! But you do not believe that I am serious? Come—let me convince you that I am—let me press you to my bosom!” The infatuated lady, hurried along by the mad- dening fury of her passions, extended her superb arms to enfold the young artist in their embrace: but he started suddenly back—and with a strong recoil that savoured even of horror and aversion, cried out, “ No, no!” “What! you scorn, you spurn my love?” ex- claimed Lady Saxondale, whose pride and vanity he started, and an ejaculation of dismay escaped ; would not at the first instant enable her to think him. But even then he doubted whether he could | that it was really so, although she expressed it in have heard aright, or whetb«r his ears had deceived | words. “It is impossible! You still think perhaps him ; and he continued for two or three moments that I am trifling with you—that I am trying you gazing m wonderment and uncertainty upon Lady | in order to see that you are a fit preceptor for my Saxondale; so that she, with that obtuseness of per- | daughters? But I take heaven to witness that ception which even the most keen-witted females are hable to in the affairs of the heart, fancied that he was overwhelmed by his good fortune in being beloved by a lady of her rank and wealth. “Yes, Williana—dearest William,” she said, in the tenderest tone, and fixing upon him looks brim- full of passion, “I love you—I have loved you for some time—and I could conceal it no longer. You know that the world regards me as a woman whose very pride is a guarantee for her virtue: and so- lemnly, sacredly do I assure you that never before have I stooped from the loftiness of my pedestal to tell any human being that I loved him! But rest assured that I have struggled long to stifle the feeling which thus urges me towards you; and the struggle has been a painful one! I can now struggle no longer: it is a severer conflict than even my proud nature can erdure, or my strong will carry en. I bow—I yield—I, who never bent nor succumbed before ! yes, I bow—-I yield, to the influence of love;—and you, William Deveril, are the object thereof!” She had gone on speaking thus because the young artist was so paralysed by the state of his feelings | as to be unable to interrupt, much less stop her. Even though her words sounded in his ears, con- veying sense and meaning to his comprehension, he could scareely put faith in what he thus heard; and | although he beheld before him that woman of a am sincere. What? still you stand gazing upon me thus in consternation and alarm? It is impos- sible, I repeat, that you can refuse my love. Love? it is a burning, devouring passion,—a passion that maddens me—a passion that scorches me with con- suming flames——else never, never had I suffered its wild torrent thus to hurry me away! Love did Isay? William Deveril, it is a mad idolatry, in which I could sacrifice almost everything—yes, even the hope of heaven itself, for your sake. Ah! would you have, then, a proof of this fervid love of mine? Behold it in the present scene! You know my pride—you know my haughtiness—and you may conceive then how powerful is that leve which can thus bend that pride and subdue that haughtiness to the degree that now makes me sue a@ humble sup liant for your love in return!” ‘“‘ Lady Saxondale,” answered William Deveril, again retreating suddenly as she once more flew forward to clasp him in her arms, “is it possible that you can have thus far forgotten yourself ? or is the excuse to be found in a passing madness ?” “ Yes, yes—it is madness !” she exclaimed with vehement accents,—“the madness of this love which I feel for you! And I have asked you te love mein return—and you hesitate P Oh, but you shall love me—you must love me—and love too as I do—as passionately, as ardentiy !” “ Peace, madam !” exclaimed Deveril indignantly. grand and magnificent beauty, descending from the ; “This scene must not be prolonged another minute,” pedestal of her patrician pride, throwing off the| All on a sudden Lady Saxondale’s whole being Juno-like stateliness of her demeanour, and melting | appeared to change: the crimson hue of excitement into all the winning graces and sensuous fascinations , vanished from her cheeks, leaving them pale as of Venus herself, yet still he could scarcely believe | marble—the sensuous light which had been beam» in the reality of the spectacle which he thus beheld. | ing in her eyes, flamed up into flashing fires—the So he stood near the chair from which he had risen, | supplicating attitude of her splendid figure was suc- with eyes fixed wonderingly upon her countenance— | eceded by an air of Juno-like wrath, as she drew with lips apart—the very efligy of astonishment | herself up to the full of her commanding height; and doubt ! and in a voice choked with rage, she said, “ Ah! ‘ Wilham, what means this singularity of manner _ then you scorn my leve? you spurn me? you have on your part?” asked Lady Saxondale, her accents dared to huiniliate Lady Saxondale ?” | now tremulous with anxiety and misgiving. “Are| “ Madam,” replied Deveril, “if I remain here (CO) ———e ee a eee am ee ee ee —— - 2 - —- e+ ECOMICclbookxs