The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 254: what you’re looking at

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

) eee THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. the brows resembles those of my brother: there is something too in the look—the expression—the general air, reminding me of him. But with re- gard to myself—— “What have you there, my good friend?” asked the invalid, who had just awoke. “A very pretty picture,” responded Lady Bess. “TI value it highly, but will let you look at it.” “Oh! I would not wish to keep anything that you value,” anewered Adolphus with affectionate gratitude towards her who had delivered him from his horrible captivity. ‘“ But do let me look at it. You seem to be surveying it with so much intent- ness, and your lips move as if you were talking to yourself.” Lady Bess handed the portrait to Adolphus: but the instant his eyes fell upon it, an ejaculation of wild joy burst from his lips—his pale countenance became illumined with the lustre of animation— and he cried out, “ It is she—it is she —my mother !” Lady Bess could scarcely believe her ears, and for & few moments she lost the faculty of speech in the wildering surprise which seized upon her. But as she still rezarded the invalid with earnest attention, she saw that he continued to contemplate the por- trait in a-‘manner which forbade her to believe that the recognized identity was a mere delusion of his brain. “You say that this is the portrait of your mo- ther?” at length observed Lady Bess,— the por- trait of Lady Everton P” “Yes, yes: it is the portrait of my mother!” cried Adolphus. “Oh! think you that her image is not sufficiently impressed upon my mind to ren- der me confident of the fact? But you your self knew it you kindly and generously procured this | portrait for me——O heavens! is my dear mother | alive? Tell me, tell me where she is: let me go to her—or do you send for her——” But Lady Bess made no answer: she was ab- sorbed in the deepest reflection. “Tf Lady Everton, then, be my mother and Frank’s mother, we are the sister and brother of him who lies here now. But how can this be? No: it is impossible. There must be some strange mis- take some wild error on one side or the other. I know not what to think: I am bewildered. At all events it will be prudent to say naught of my own past history to Adolphus at present. No: for were I to unfold my suspicion that the original of that portrait was the mother of Frank and myself, it. would be to proclaim the mother of Adolphus un- faithful to her husband. Yet during that absence in India what may not have taken place P” “ Wherefore are you thus thoughtful? wherefore do you not answer me?” cried Adolphus, whose ideas appeared to be more collected than they even were ere he went to sleep; and the expression of his eyes was more settled, or rather less vacant, while the light of joy was now shining in them. “T can assure you, my dear friend,” replied Lady Bess, “that it was by mere accident I showed you this portrait. I had no earthly conception that you would recognize it. I did not even know who the original was. It was torn from a book containing many portraits of the ladies of the aristocracy. But tell me, my dear Adolphus, do yon know whether your mother was connected with the Court ?” “Yes—I remember now—she was often, very 0 239 often with the Princess Sophia, and used to stay with her Royai Highness for weeks and months together—sometimes at Kew—sometimes at Wind. sor—sometimes at St. James’s Palace. It is strange how my recollections are coming back.” * And no doubt your mother, Adolphus, used te have a great number of ladies staying with her at different times ?” “Yes: but I do not recollect any of their namee now. Perhaps I shall presently, or another tite :” —and he appeared to strain himself as it were to give a fresh impulse to his memory. “Does the name of Lord Petersfield happen to be familiar to you P” asked Lady Bess. “Lord Petersfield?” echoed Adolphus. “Oh, yes —he was a frequent visitor at Everton Park, and I have seen him also at St. James’s Palace. I think at the time he occupied a post in the household of the Princess Sophia. I am certain he did. But now my ideas are becoming confused avain —a diin- ness seems to spread itself over my mental vision— things that just now were vivid, are becoming dark But, Ou! this portrait—every lincament —every line—even to the very expression “of the countenance itself—all are as clear as ever in my brain !” He ceased speaking, and reclining back upon the pillow whence he had started up in the excitement of his joy on first beholding the portrait, closed his eyes as if to concentrate all his powers of thoucht inwardly, and thus endeavour to extricate himself by a strong effurt from the chaos of confusion into which he was relapsing. Sleep gradually came upon ' him; and Lady Bess, summoning back the nurse to the chamber, descended to her own elegantly ' furnished parlour. Just at that moment there was a knock at the door; and Rosa, having answered the summons, informed her mistress that a person named Theodore Barclay desired to speak with her. Lady Bess ordered him to be introdaced; and the footman of Beech-Tree Lodge was accordingly shown into the parlour. CHAPTER LI. FOLLOWING UP THE CLUB. THEODORE Barcuay, who now appeared dressed in plain clothes, was a@ man about forty years of age, with a countenance that was not ill-looking, but the expression of the features indicating full plainly that he was of a cunning, crafty disposition. “T received your note, ma’am, at the Hornsey post-office,” he said, “and am here accordingly.” Lady Bess desired him to take a seat; and as he did so, he could not help contemplating with mingled curiosity and admiration the heroic lady whom he now beheld in the apparel that suited her sex. ‘What has taken place at Beech-Tree Lodye ?” she went on to ask. ‘“ Have any measures been adopted to search for him waom I rescued the other night ?” “ No—none,” roturned Barclay. “ Lord Everton is ill in bed through fright and excitement; and a sort of consternation prevails in the house. No one there seems to know what to think or what to do: but the general belief is that there will be a precious explosion.” oD Go JOO SS (CO)