The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 201: what you’re looking at

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186 entirely his own—the natural pride of a man of high feeling,—“ had you spoken in other terms, I should certainly have held myself bound to make an apology for my intrusion within the precincts of Lady Macdonald’s dwelling. Indeed, I have already said as much as to express my sense of its impro- priety, and therefore my sorrow that I should have been guilty of such conduct. But, considering the tone which your lordship now thinks fit to adopt towards me, I decline to offer a single word. in the shape of excuse or apology.” “Ah! is this your decision?” exclaimed Lord Harold fiercely. : “Tt is—most positively,” returned Deveril, with increasing hauteur. i “Then,” immediately rejoined the nobleman, “you will name the frrend to whom I may send mine.” “What! would you provoke me to a duel?” cried Deveril, who had scarcely apprehended that it was Harold’s intention to push matters .to this ex- treme—and his heart smote him at the idea of standing up in a hostile manner against the brother of her whom he loved so devotedly. “IT have already told you, Mr. Deveril,” was Staunton’s answer, “that you must afford me satis- faction. I do not wish to give any unseemly pro- vocation on my part: but as it appears,” he added mmm cnn teenie THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. e This note Deverill at once despatched by a porter in a cab to his villa-residence im the neighbourhood of the Regent’s Park. He then resumed his writing, and penned several letters. The first was also to Angela—another was to Mr. Gunthorpe—a third to Florina, and the others to friends or acquaintances. The task had occupied him nearly two hours; and when he had finished this eorrespondence, he sealed the several letters and packed them all up together in a sheet of paper. He then wrote upon the out- side of the envelope, “It is earnestly requested that the letters contained herein, may be delivered imme- diately to their respective addresses.’ He them locked up the packet in his writing-desk, and put the key in his pocket. It was now half-past ten o’clock; and a double knock at the front-door resounded through the house. In a few moments Mr. Forester was an- nounced. He was a young man of four-and-twenty, with a pleasing countenance, a genteel figure, and an air of mingled good-nature and frankness. “ My dear Deveril,” he said, taking our hero’s hand, “how the deuce have you managed to get yourself into this scrape with Lord Harold Staunton —you who are of such a peaceable disposition and excellent temper?” Deveril gave Mr. Forester a hurried outline of what had taken place—or rather of such particulars scornfully, “that you yourself require some such | as he thought fit to describe,—leaving Florina’s inducement to make you show your courage, I am | name altogether out of the question, and suffering forced to act thus. Consider, sir, that I-have given his friend to retain a similar impression to that you a blow:”—and with the tips of his fingers he which Lord Harold himself had received in respect touched Deveritl on the cheek. ' to his intrusion inte the garden; namely, that it was “Enough, Lord Harold!” exclaimed the young! to seek an interview with Lady Macdonald, for artist, his own spirit now thoroughly aroused. “ You | the purpose of explaining away Lady Saxondale’s have asked me to name my friend—I refer you to | calumnies. . Mr. Forester, whose apartments are in the Albany.” | “ Well, it is an unpleasant business,” said Fores- “T have some slight knowledge of Mr. Forester,” | tex: “but it seems there is no alternative save to responded Lord Harold, “and will lose no time | exchange shots. Ofcourse you know, Deveril—— in sending a friend to communicate with him.” | and mind, I do not say it beeause I think it will He then bowed coldly and distantly, and turning | make any undue impression on your mind——but on his heel, walked away without entering the pre- | it is my duty to mention the fact, that Lord Harold eincts of his aunt’s dwelling. William Deveril lingered for a few moments to ket him get to a distance, and then likewise pro- ceeded up the lane into Cavendish Square. We may here observe that on quitting the bal- eony, Lady Florina retreated into another apart- ment, which did not command a view of the garden nor of the premises at the back of the house. She therefore did not observe that Wilham Deveril, on issuing forth from the enclosure, had encountered her brother in the alley. | Deveril bent his way direct to the Albany, where he inquired for Mr. Forester; but learning that this gentleman was not in at the moment, he penned a hurried note to prepare him for the visit which he might expect from Lord Harold’s friend in the eourse of the evening. Having left this note with the porter of the Albany, Deveril proceeded to his lodgings in Pall Mall; on reaching which he imme- | iliately sat down at his writmg-table and wrote the following lines :— “Pall Mall, 4 past 8 o’clock. “ Dearest Angela, “T promised you to. be home by supper-time this even- ing: but urgent business retains mein town. I intend te s.eop at my ledgings, but hepe to be with you early in the forenoon to-morrow. Your aifectionate 39 Staunton is what is termed—— “YT know what you mean,” observed Deveril quietly, “acrack shot. I have heard it mentioned that he has performed the most astonishing feats with the pistol.” “T have seen him,” rejoined Forester. “But you, my dear fellow—what sort of a marksman do you consider yourself P” “T have never practised, and scarcely ever fired a pistol in my life,” responded Deveril. “ Besides, you do not think for a moment, Forester, that I mean seriously to attempt the taking of my adver-— sary’s life?” “You will be insane if you do not,” was his friend’s answer: “ for if you risk your own life, you certainly ought to do your best 7: “Enough upon that point,” interrupted Deveril “At all events I shall do my duty. And now tell me, have you received a visit from his lordship’s friend ?” “Captain Lennox of the Guards called upon me at half-past nine o’elock,” replied Forester. “ I had just returned to my rooms in the Albany, and had received your note, which not alittle astonished me. However, everything is settled. You had better /ecome and pass the night with me—we will have «“ WILLIAM.” | supper and champagne, and so forth———” COMMICEOO® CS (E©)