The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 171: what you’re looking at

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156 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. guor and lassitude which seemed as if anything like “ What did that old fool want here?” demanded an exertion were too much for his aristocratic con- Lord Saxondale, as he sped back into the drawing- stitution on a sultry day in the middle of summer, | room, now intent upon venting his ill-humour upon —when catching sight of Mr. Gunthorpe, he in- | his mother by seeking a quarrel with her. stantly burst into an ironical laugh, exclaiming in| “Rather let me ask,” returned her ladyship, who his cracked voice, ‘Ah! my worthy friend of the was in precisely a similar mood towards her son, Bell and Crown, what on carth has brought you | “how you dare insult a visitor whom you find with from the vulgar regions of the City? You must | me, and thus lead to a scene which is calculated to feel terribly out of place in our fashionable at- mosphere,” , Nothing could equal the look of mingled scorn and contempt which Mr. Gunthorpe bent upon Edmund Saxondale, as the latter delivered himself of those flippant impertinences. The old gentleman was at that instant neither comical nor common- looking: there was something exceedingly noble and dignified in his appearance, as if he felt in the depths of his own heart that instead of standing before a superior, it was he himself who was gazing down from a higher pedestal than the conceited young coxcomb could ever dream of occupying, no matter what advantages he might possess in respect to birth, rank, riches, and honours. Lady Saxon- dale herself, who possessed the nicest appreciation of everything that savoured of real dignity, was astonished at the superior look which Mr. Gunthorpe wore at that instant; and even Kdmund was over- awed by the old gentleman’s appearance. Ilis mind was not so completely perverted but he felt he deserved the overwhelming rebuke conveyed in Mr. Gunthorpe’s indignant glances; and the rebuke too was more cutting and more searching a thousand scandalize the entire household ?” “T insult him indeed!” ejaculated Edmund, now flinging himself lazily upon the sofa, as if exhausted _by the effort of even putting himself into a rage. “Why, I think you took it up pretty warmly too, by ringing the bell in that frantic manner and giv- ing such orders to the servants. But I say, mother, what is this story that I hear running like wildfire all over London? Young William Deveril has heen making love to you? Now you see what it is to have anything to do with such low fellows as these. I always disliked him, and was a deuced great mind to kick him out of the house.” But Lady Saxondale only threw a glance of sove- reign contempt upon her son, as if she knew him to be a ceward in his heart notwithstanding the ridicu- lous boast he had just made; and feeling the neces- sity of seeking the retirement of her own chamber in order to compose her agitated feelings and ponder well upon the particulars of her interview with Mr, Guntuorpe, she quitted the room. | Meanwhile Juliana und Constance had in the ad- joining apartment overheard everything which had taken place. From the very first Juliana had never times when thus conveyed than if it had been given | believed her mother’s story respecting Deveril; and in words. But still Edmund was not at all the young man to submit with a good grace to the cas- tigation; and promptly recovering his habitual im- pertinence and self-sufficiency, he gave another affected laugh, exclaiming, ‘“ Well done, old fellow! you look just as you did that day when you blew up the cabman in Jermyn Street. You remember what T mean P” “Madam,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, turning his eyes towards Lady Saxondale and bending a significant look upon her, “TI really pity you in the possession of such a son as this.” You insolent old scoundrel!” ejaculated Ed- mund, becoming all in a moment livid with rage: and clenching his fist, he was about to rush toward the old gentleman, when the latter held up his gold- headed cane with a resoluteness that made the coward youth fall back. ‘Tf you were to dare lay a finger on me, my lord,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, calmly, “I would inflict that chastisement which you so richly deserve.” Thus speaking, he walked forth froin the apart- ment, while Lady Sayondale pulled the Dell vio- lently. Acouple of footmen instantaneously rushed to the room ; and Lady Saxondale exclaimed, “ Let that person be at once shown out of the house, and pever admitted again!” ff Yes—and let him be kicked out!” screamed forth the infuriate Edmund, as he rushed out upon the landing, and looking over the stairease gave this vent to his impotent rage against Mr. Gunthorpe. But the old gentleman descended the stairs as golly and imperturbably as if he were merely retir- ing after having paid an ordinary visit of courtesy, ——while the ferule of his cane tapped upon every one of the marble steps as he continued his way. the result of Mr. Gunthorpe’s visit was to confirm her opinion of its complete and utter falsity. To the same conclusion was Constance necessitated to ar- rive, though more slowly, with far less readiness to discredit her mother, and with feelings of regret to which Juliana was an entire stranger. Well indeed had Mr. Gunthorpe expatiated on the demoralizing effect of such an example set by a mother to her daughters; yet little did he think that the influence of this example was already felt—little did he ima- gine that even as he spoke his propetic words were receiving their fulfilment! And what was the pic- ture presented to the contemplation of these young ladies? That their mother, having cast her affec- tions upon an object whom the conyentionalisms of society did not permit her to marry, even if he him- self were inclined to espouse her, had offered to take him as a paramour—to throw herself into his arms as his mistress! For that Mr. Gunthorpe had only too faithfully recited what had really passed between their mother and Deveril, Juliana and Constance felt assured; and uw therefore they bad been brought to regard their own parent as a mere demi- rep in heart, wearing virtue as a mask, and conceal- ing a real depravity veneath that exterior of severe hauteur and imposing dignity, Whatsoever was impassioned in the tempera- ments of Juliana and Constance, was now rendered all the more glowing —especially in the case of the furmer, whose hot blood literally boiled in her veins, All the 1atent heat of her imagination was in a mo- ment fanned into a blaze—a veil appeared to have fallen from her eyes—and she rushed to the conclu- sion that no women were really virtuous, but that all would seek the opportunity of gratifying their passions, trusting to conceal their frailty and they ll TT SL _sshese-sesSSsSSSSSSS>-sssSs-ss-SssSs-SsSS (6) NOOKS (€@)