The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 234: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT, 219 “Twill keep my word and tell you everything,” ' said, when they reacned the point where thay wore replied Lord Harold | to separate. » He accordingly narrated to his astonished listeners ‘Let us dine together this evening,” answered the whole ef his adventures with Lady Saxondale, Saxondale. “I dare say I shall have something to in respect to the scene at the masquerade—the in- tell you. Emily goes to the Opera to-night—and structions she had given him relative to Deveril— | so I am well disposed to amuse myself.” the reason he had therefore sought a duel with the | The two young noblemen accordingly settled an young artist—and the manner in which he was appointment, and then parted—the one returning treated by Lady Saxondale when he called upon her, | to his lodgings in Jermyn Street, the other bending as already described. Astonished indeed were those his way to Saxondale House. listeners; for they were little prepared to hear that | It was a little past noon when Edmund again the circumstance of the duel was in any way mixed crossed the threshold of the stately mansion; and up with the incidents of the masquerade at Har- ke was at once informed by the hallkporter that her court House. ladyship had ordered that when he came in he was “Tt is not perhaps a very pleasant tale for a son to be told she wished to see him on very important to hear of his own mother,” added Lord Harold business. This was exactly what he wanted: he Staunton; “and I take heaven to witness that you | was desirous of bringing matters to an issue, and never would have heard it, Edmund, if I had been literally panted for an opportunity to display his treated otherwise by her ladyship. But after all the power over his mother. Accordingly, without loss indignity I experienced at her hands, you can : of time he hurried up te the apartment where she scarcely wonder if I sought to be revenged. My was seated. He found her alone, as on the previous vengeance is now consummated : J desire no more. | day; and he saw by the cold hauteur of her looks I have made you acquainted, Edmund, with your | that there was a sternly settled purpose in her mind. mother’s crime—for a crime assuredly it is that she | “Edmund,” she said, “have the goodness to sit committed, in thus seeking the death of young Wil- down and let us see if we can talk quietly and liam Deveril. She is now in your power! You may peaceably together for a few minutes,” control her and coerce her at will: she can no | “ Well, my dear lady-mother,” he answered with longer demy her identity with the heroine of the his usual flippancy of style, as he threw himseit masquerade. You need not fear therefore the plots with a languid air in a halt-reclining position upon and schemings which her ladyship may have con- | a sofa, “you can talk away as much as ever you cocted with Lord Petersfield and Mr. Marlow. But | like, and I will listen. You needn’t be afraid of tell me—will there be any loss of friendship between | fatiguing me; because it suits my purpose very well you and me in consequence of all that ’ve now ex- , to lie here for the next half-hour.” plained to you?” “Even at the commencement you put on this in- ** Loss of friendship, my dear Harold !” eried Ed- | sufferable coxcombry,” resumed her ladyship. ‘Do mund, astonished at the question. “ How is it pos- | you really think, Edmund, that it is becoming, or sible you could think of such a thing? You calculated to inspire respect? Believe me, you only had a perfect right to fall in love with my mother if render yourself ridiculous. But it was not on tinis you chose ; and [I am only sorry she has used you subject that I wished to speak. Are you attend- so scurvily. As for seeking to be revenged on her | ing?” by putting her in my power, the effect is todome|) ‘“ With the same respect and earnestness as if it the greatest possible service: and therefore so far , wasto the fag-end of a three hours’ sermon and you from entertaining any ill feeling towards you, I con- ; was the preacher. But you mustn’t think I wasn’t sider myself immensely your debtor. We will pass | attending because I had my eyes shut: I can always a jovial evening: Emily does not go to the Opera | hear best like that.” to-night, and we will draw a few champagne-corks “Now, Edmund,” exclaimed Lady Saxondale, before we go to bed. To-morrow I will pay another | her cheeks flushing with anger, “I bezan by speak- visit to my lady-mother—see what she may have to ing kindly to you, and you answer me in this im- say—and then if she holds out any more threats’ pertinent style. You appear to think that there is about sending me abroad, or compelling me to live | something very fine in defying me: but depend at the castle in Lincolnshire, I will let her see that | upon it that you will discover your mistake. Now {am not to be trifled with.” tell me, once for all, shall we converse as if we were We need not linger over this scene, which in | on good terms with each other, or will you have me many respects is a painful one to describe. Let us , explain what I have to say in the form of commands hasten to observe that Miss Emily Archer, Lord | which are to be enforced ?” Saxondale, and Lord Harold Staunton sat down to} Let it be whichever way you choose,” answered @ delicious banquet at about six o’clock, and re- | Edmund, with a prolonyed yawn. “I dave say it mained at table until a late hour, On the following will be all the same in the long run.” day Lord Harold learnt by a paragraph in the news-! “If you treat the matter thus, I will without paper that Mr. Deveril was now altogether out of farther preface tell you what has been resolved upon danger; and he therefore no longer feared to return by your guardians and assented to by myself:”’— to his lodgings in Jermyn Street. He bade farewell and as Lady Saxondale thus spoke, she drew herself to Miss Archer, with whom he exchanged significant up with a haughty stateliness, The post of At- looks as he thanked her for all the marks of kind- taché to the Embassy at Berlin has been placed at ness and hospitality she had bestowed upon him at your disposal; and it has been aceepted on your be- Evergreen Villa; and then he accompanied Lord halt by Lord Petersfield . Saxcndale to the West End. “ How exceedingly kind!” interjected Edmund, “I should like to knuw as soon as possible what laughing in a subdued manner with his cracked takes place between yourself and your mother,” he voice. eee pte ren ee ee —— <205 e+ ee ee ee ——— . oe tee em rr em ee le a COMmicooOoKS.c®