The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 194: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 179 a abandoned the pursuit, and mean to devote myself have recognised her,—yet he felt assured that be pretty closely to it in a few,days——” hind that mask was a countenance weil worthy “Unless,” observed Edmund, “this new love- : to be gazed upon. His eyes swept over the sue affair which presents itself in so mysterious a shape perb outlines of her noble and majestic shape ; by means of that letter and the appointment for and he thought to himself that a form blending to-night, turns all your thoughts into quite another so much voluptuous symmetry with dignified ele- direction.” gance and feminine grace, could not possibly be “Well, it may do so,” remarked Lord Harold, associated with an ordinary, much less an ugly carelessly. “ But even if my unknown inamorata countenance. And then, too, there was something be beautiful beyond expectation, I do not think her in the whole bearing, the gait, the gestures, and ch rms can possibly come up to those of Angela | the walk of his companion which seemed to indi- Vivaldi.”’ cate a lady of the highest rank: so that while ha The two young noblemen finished their lemon- was excited with a pleasurable suspense as to what ade, and re-adjusted the one his mask and the the style ef her beauty might be, he felt embar- other his vizor over their eountenances. They then | rassed and confused as to the way in which he lounged forth from the bowery alcove, and made | should address her. Indeed, for one with whom their way amongst the multitude of guests that had timidity was not very prevalent, this awkwardness been pouring into the saloons during the half-hour on his part was singular, and could only have arisen spent in the preceding colloquy. As we have al- from the presentiment that 1t was no ordinary or ready said, there were costumes of every variety commonplace love-adventure in which he was en- and all descriptions. Amongst those worn by gen- gaged. But who the lady might be, he could not tlemen, were several Spanish Cavalier dresses; but form the remotest conjecture. Not only did the with none were the plumes of the cap fastened by : mask so effectually conceal her countenance, but the means of so brilliant a diamond clasp as that which ' drapery which she wore upon her head and which shone above Lord Harold Staunton’s masked ccur- | descended upou her shoulders, altogether veiled tenance» There were also amongst the female cos- her hair, and even the shape of that head, the car- tumes several representing the apparel of Spanish | riage of which upon the arching neck and fine queens and princesses of the olden time: but none shoulders was nevertheless statuesque and queenly. which identified itself with that of the wife of the Above the drapery she wore a crown, the diamonds illustrious Ferdinand. MHalf-an-hour passed, and of which reflected with jets of light the lustre of _ the two friends were still lounging about together, the many lamps suspended to the ceilings and when all of a sudden Lord Harold nudged his com- | ranged round the walls; and her flowing garments panion’s elbow, and said in a hasty whisper, “ Now, were embellished with precious stones. There Saxondale, we must separate.” seeined to be a real royalty about her, as thera Edmund cast a lock in the direction towards was likewise a mystery which enhanced the ro- which Lord Harold was himself at the time gazing; mantic charm of the love-affair wherein Lord and he beheld a tall, stately,.and majestic female Harold Staunton thus found himself engaged. figure, clad in a queenly apparel which set off her | It must not be supposed that this meeting be- fine shape to the fullest and noblest advantage. tween the young nobleman and the unknown lady She wore a black mask upon her countenance; and had anything marked or extraordinary in it so as to the silken fringe descended so low as entirely to attract the notice of the other guests; for there cover her chin, the vizard thus concealing the entire were plenty of encounters of the same kind, and aec- face, save and except the bright eyes which sent cording to preconcerted arrangements; besides, no their glances flashiag through the holes. one could tell whether a lady, when thus meeting “‘T wish yom success,” whispered Saxondale; and a gentleman, was not being joined by a brother, turning away from his friend, he walked off to an intimate friend, a near relative, or an acknow- another part of the room. ledged suitor. Certain it was, however, that on her Lord Harold Staunton advanced towards the lady first entrance the lady did attract much attention, who had juss entered, and whose appearance seemed but solely on account of the tasteful elegance of her to correspond with that of her whom he was ex- dress and her own imposing and grandly symme- pecting: but he dared not immediately accost her, trical figure. We have already said that a pair of although he felt convinced that the costume which dark eyes sent their fires flashing through the holes she wore was intended to represent that of Isabella in the mask; and as Lord Harold caught those of Spain. Not long was he suffered to remain in glances, he beheld therein an additional reason for suspense: for the lady herself, no doubt singling supposing that the countenance to which such him out trom all other Spanish Cavaliers then pre- eyes belonged must be eminently handsome. sent by the diamond-clasp upon his cap, made a ‘They passed amidst the brilliant assemblage, not slight lLeckoning signal which his eye immediately with the haste of persons wishing to break the caught. The next instant he was by her side; and spell of silence as speedily as possible, nor as if she at once placed her arm in his. they were purposely seeking the alcove for the sake He led her gently amidst the brilliant assemblage, of retirement from the rest: but they proceeded in in the direction of the aleove where he and Saxon- the slow and gracefully lounging manner which is dale had so recently been; and not a word was adopted in the ball-room—and on reaching the al- spoken by either of them as they advanced towards cove, they passed into it with the air of a couple that spot. Lord Harold felt himself a prey to seeking no studied seclusion, but merely availing mingled rapture and confusion. Though the lady’s themselves in a casual manner of an opportunity cour.tenance was so effectually concealed that he to retire for a while from the midst of the more coultt not obtain the slightest glimpse of it,—and heated atmosphere of the saloon, thus if she had been his own sister he could not, “And now, fair lady—or rather, I should say ——_——_ we. + yy Ee 6 _ a ECOMmMiIclboooks (CO)