The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 195: what you’re looking at

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» 180 your Majesty,” observed Lord Harold Staunton, in a tone of vourteous gaiety, as he conducted his com- pinion toa seat in the alcove and placed himself by her side,— may I be permitted to behold that countenance which is to shed the light of such joy upon my heart, and the beauty of which is to ren- der me for ever the most devoted of your ad- mirers P” . ‘Lord Harold Staunton,” replied the lady, in a voice which was not merely low and subdued, but alsu disguised,—a tone which, we may here remark, she preserved throughout the entire discourse that followed,—* you will perhaps find that this adven- ture in which you have embarked, is of a more mysterious and romantic character than you could possibly have conceived it to be. As yet you stand but on the threshold of it. If you hesitate to pro- ceed farther, you are at full liberty to retreat at once —and there will be no harm done: but if you decide upon following up ihe enterprise, you must prepare to obey my dictates in all things, and to render me good service ere you can hope for your reward.” “The adventure has already become so interest- ing,” at once replied Staunton, “that I am pre- pared to fall upon my knees at the feet of Queen Isabella of Spain, and vow the homage of my heart and the service of my arm.” “ Speak not too quickly, Sir Cavalier,” replied the unknown lady: “for I ought to address you accord- ing to your assumed character, and not as Lord Harold Staunton. But again I say, speak not too quickly—promise not too hastily—lest you should repent of your rashness and precipitation.” “Tt must be something of an extraordinary cha- racter which your Gracious Majesty has to command your humble servant to undertake chat you should be in any doubt as to whether he will accept the service :’—and as Lord Harold thus spoke, he took the lady’s hand in his own. “The pressure of this hand,” she at once said, suiting the action to the word, “is for the present the only earnest you can receive of that love which I bear you. For I warn you beforehand that I shall not even remove the mask from my countenance this evening—nor tel] you who I am—nor allow you the slightest cue to the discovery of my name. That it is a proud and a noble one, I give you the solemn assurance——”’ “And I am-not to behold that countenance which I feel convinced is so handsome ?” said Lord Harold, in accents of mingled cajolery and disap- pointment. “ No—not this evening. And yet I swear to you that it is handsome —handsomer perhaps than your imagination may depict—of a beauty indeed that may court comparison with the charms of any lady in this brilliant assemblage. And that 1 love you, my own cavalier,—if such I am indeed to call you, and if such you will prove,—I have already avowed and hesitate not to ayow again. I am rich also,” continued the lady; “and if it be any proof of my love to lavish my wealth upon you, that testimony shall likewise be given. Now, will you accept this love of mine? will you become the favourite cava- lier on whose head Queen Isabella may shower her bounties? and will you in anticipation of the crown- ing recompense of all that woman can bestow, blimdly and devotedly enlist yourself in my service ?” NN a oo” Re THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “ Devotedly —yes,” rejoined Lord Harold: “but blindly—I do not comprehend the sense in which you use the term, most Gracious Queen.” “T mean that you will undertake to fulfil the task I shall enjoin you, without questioning me as to my motives—without in any way seeking to dis- cover them, until the time may come when I shall be permitted to reveal them. Now say, Sir Cava- lier, have you sufficient faith in my love and my beauty, as well as in my gratitude, to devote your- self thus blindly to my service ?” * Yes—Oh, yes!” answered Lord Harold, lost in mingled wonder and infatuation; and even as he pressed the lady’s gloved hand between both his own, he felt a thrill of ecstatic pleasure quivering through his entire frame. “T shall not express my gratitude now for this assurance which you give me,” she went on to ob- serve, “because it is but the meet. and adequate return you are making for the love which I have already given you. I have long loved you, my own handsome cavalier—I have often thought of reveal- ing the secret of this love; but I have not dared to do so! And when I give you this assurance you will perhaps take it as a proof that it is no dis sipated creature, no debauched demirep, no trafficker in numerous amours, who is now addressing you,— but one who has never yet proved faithless to the duties of her sex—never yet stained the purity of her reputation!” “ But the service you demand of me—tell me quick, my adored Queen Isabella,” urged Lord Harold, “that I may undertake it with the least possible delay, and thus bring myself nearer to the crowning happiness which is to be my reward.” “JT have already told you, Sir Cavalier,” replied the unknown lady, “that it is a service of the valorous arm which I demand of you.” “Oh! but all this must be a mere jest, beautiful Queen Isabella,” exclaimed Lord Harold. “ Yet if it suits your whim or caprice to carry on the con- versation in the same style——” “You see,” interrupted the lady, “that in order to be consistent with circumstances, we must be in all respects what we suppose ourselves—I Queen Isabella of Spain, and you my own cavalier. Now then, such being our present belief, we are living in the age of chivalry when gallant warriors court deeds of danger in order to distinguish themselves that they may win the admiration of their ladye- loves. Know, then, Sir Cavalier, that I have an enemy—a mortal enemy, of whom I wish to be nid. No matter how he became my enemy, nor what he has done, nor wherefore I wish to extirpate him from my path. It is sufficient for you to know that I have this enemy, and that the devoted cham- pion who shall give him his doom, becomes the master of my heart.” The lady paused—but Lord Harold Staunton knew not what observation to make. He could not regard ‘her words as serious; and yet they were uttered full seriously, He therefore held his peace; and through the eyelet-holes of his mask did he gaze upon the disguised unknown with a poignant desire to penetrate the mystery which enveloped her. “Perhaps you imagine,” she resumed, all the while speaking in a low and dissembling voice, “that this is a mere masquerading whimsicality? COMMICOO® eS (E©)