The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

164 once summoned a vehicle from the public stand. With every appearance of haste he himself offi- ciously opened the door ere the driver could jump down: Henrietta was promptly handed in—her companion gave some quick instructions, spoken aside, to the coachman—then he entered the ve- hicle—the door was closed—the man leapt up again to his box—and away they went. All that we have described, from the first instant that the individual accosted Henrietta at the door of the Opera to that moment when she found her- self seated by his side in the vehicle—had passed with such rapidity that she had not leisure for the slightest reflection. Herideas had been kept in a whirl by the hurried, bustling, andalmostanxiously impatient manner of her companion ; so that there was not even a moment's leisure for a suspicion to start upin her mind. Nor for the firstten minutes during which the vehicle sped rapidly aloug, did her companion allow her time to give way to reflection ; but he went on expatiating upon the philanthropy of her benefactor, the many charities which he prac- tised, the vast amount of good he did, and the de- light he took he succouring the unfortunate. The wee ee young damsel was naturally charmed at hearing | such encomia lavished upon theold gentleman ; but gradually the thought stole into her mind that her | present companion had notonce mentioned thesaid old gentleman’s name. Then, for the first time dur- ing this interview, she began to regard with some degree of attention the person seated by her side. When however she saw how respectable was his appearance, how free from anything savouring of treachery were his looks—and with what respect- ful sympathy he appeared to regard her, she again felt perfectly reassured. Then she ventured to ask where her new abode was situated ; and her com- panion at once infornied her that it was in one of the most delightful suburbs of London—namely, near the village of Hornsey. Henrietta there- upon remarked that it was very considerate on the part of her generous benefactor to have chosen so salubriousa spot for ber invalid mother ; and this observation again furnished her com- panion with a topic for expatiation. In this manner he continued talking until the outskirts of London were reached on the northern side, and the veliicle was rolling along the road to Hornsey. Now again did the young damsel begin to expe- rience a revival of that vague misgiving which had previously arisen in her mind. Insensibly the idea stole upon her that her companion sustained so rapid and continuous a discourse in order to keep her attention engaged; and as this idea gained upon her, she could not help throwing at him dubious and uneasy looks. These however he did not appear to notice, but sought fresh topics for conversation; and though Henrietta had by this time ceased to answer him through the in- fluence of her augmenting tervors, he still went on as volubly as ever. Her alarm grew to an almost intolerable pitch. A secret voice whispered in the deptks of her soul that all was not right; indeed she felt like one be- trayed into a snare. Again did she glance at her companion ; and now she thought there wassome- thing sinister beneath the sedateness of his looks. But what was she todo? Suppose that, after all, everything he had said was correct, how insulting would it be alike to him and her benefactor if she THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. were to manifest the suspicions which were so ra- pidly acquiring strength in her bosom? Henrietta accordingly made up her mind to see the adven- ture to its issue, no matter what that result might be; and she even endeavoured to appear cheerful and gay, and to resume her part in the discourse, so as to prevent her companion from fathoming her uneasiness. The village of Hornsey was reached; and the vehicle, turning into a diverging road, stopped at the gate of a large and handsome-looking house. It stood a little way back and was so embowered in tall and thickly umbrageous trees, that all its extent could not be immediately discerned: but when the gate was opened by a gardener who was at work on the premises, and the vehicle passed up the shady avenue to the portico in front of the house, Henrietta at once found her- self at the entrance of a mansion. ‘The poignancy of her suspicions now shot with a galvanic pang through her heart: but the very next instant an idea sprang up in her mind giving incalculable relief. her benefactor, aud that in the carrying out of his generous purposes he had resolved to afford ber invalid mother, herself, and her little brother a home in this healthfully situated dwelling? But she had not time forany farther reflection her companion had sprung out of the vehicle, and giving her his hand, assisted her also to alight. Painfully balanced between hope and fear —treinbling to advance, yet not daring to retreat — Henrietta stood for a few moments on the steps of the portico; and then, making up her mind with a desperate effort, she suffered herself to be conducted into the mansion. A servantin splendid livery held the front door open ; and she found herself in a hall paved with marble and embellished with statues. A noble ascent of staircase faced the front entrance; anda side door which stood open revealed the interior of a sumptuously furnished parlour. In short, the very first glimpse which the damsel thus obtained of these features of the mansion, showed her that it was evidently the abode of wealth and luxury, and her heart sank within her. For now rushed the idea to her mind that it was by no means probable any man—and that man a complete stranger—would doso extraordinary generous @ deed as to transfir herself and her relatives from a wretched attic to a palatial residence. It wasa phi- lanthropy belonging to romance and not to reality, such a change as oue might read of in fairy tales, but not such as was wont to happen in the true world. All this occurred to Henrietta’s mind in a moment; and she turned her terrified looks upon her companion. Now she thought she beheld a sardonic kind of smile blending indefinably with the sedateness of his countenance; and she felt inclined to cry out—but fear choked her utter- ance. At that instant a door facing the one which stood open, afforded egress to an individual whom she instantaneonsly recognized but too well; and all her terrors being confirmed in a moment, she gave vent to a wild shriek—burst from the hold of her companion—and sprang towards the front door. But the footman in the gorgeous livery banged it violently; and the dread conviction smote her heart that she was a prisoner! Almost frantic—with frenzied look and reeling What if the mansion really belonged to - COMMICLO® eS (€©)