The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

ait ae kee Bn a i THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. and now, as Ralph was one morning examining the newly-arrived Lincolnshire papers, he was struck by observing a paragraph to the effect that “the venerable Lord Saxondale was lying in a most dangerous condition at the castle, and not expected to survive many days.” Overjoyed at this announcement, Ralph Fare- field lost not a rmoment in ordering a post-chaise and proceeding into Lincolnshire. What could be more legitimate than that he, the heir pre- sumptive, if not indeed the heir apparent, should thus hurry off to his uncle’s death-bed on reading the news of his extreme danger in a public print ? As he was whirled along in the post-chaise he gave free rein to the diabolical joy of his reflec- tions. Was he not now touching upon the goal of success? Was he not about to reap the rich fruit of his plans? What though this triumphant success were gained by crime?—he cared not! Perish all contrition, all remorse, now that the acme of his hopes was about to be reached! Within a few hours, perhaps, he should hear him- self saluted by the swelling titles of “my lord” and ‘‘lordship:” within a few hours, also, he would stand at a window whence the whole do- main that stretched around would be his own! Peradventure his uncle was already no more, and he therefore Lord Saxondale and owner of the broad domain at that very moment? Such were his reflections. There was a maddening joy in them—an intoxication of bliss—a frenzy—a deli- rium. On sped the chaise—hours had passed—it was already entering the well-known territory of Lincolnshire. Ralph bade the postilions speed as if for their lives! Now the horses were changed for the last time-—only eight miles from Saxon- dale—in three quarters of an hour he would be there. The blood seemed to gush like fire in his veins—but nct with pain: it was with ecstacy— with the most fevered, throbbing, thrilling, burn- ing delight. And now the towers and battlemented build- ings of Saxondale broke upon his view as the sun was descending to its western home; and Ralph literally bounded upon his seat inside the chaise. His impatience amounted to a wild fever-heat which water could not slake and wine would madden. On sped the chaise: and now he was suddenly struck with the necessity of assuming a calm demeanour. This he did: but it was an hypocrisy difficult to assume on the part of one whoin his own base mind felt that he had so many reasons for enthusiastic joy. The post-chaise dashed up to the front entrance of the castle: Ralph immediately looked out of the window, as one of the folding-doors slowly opened; and the instant his eye caught the countenance of the porter, he read the truth at once. Lord Saxon- dale was dead! The servants came forth to receive their late master’s nephew: but it was with no hurried step nor welcoming looks. They walked with mea- sured tread and wore a grave demeanour, as men do where Death has just asserted his omnipotence. Nor did they exactly know in what manner to re- ceive or address Ralph Farefield. Little skilled in the law, they were unable to decide whether he was now Lord Saxondale or not, inasmuch as though theinfant heir was missing, there had been no positive proofs of the babe’s death. As for what Lady Saxondale had done, or might. be still ed LL doing in London or elsewhere—andas to any dis coveries, more or less important, which she might have made—they were utterly ignorant on all these points, having been kept in the dark re= specting her ladyship’s proceedings. Descending from the post-chaise, Ralph put a question to the servants, but in a manner which showed that he already anticipated the answer ; and that answer was precisely the one he had alike expected and hoped. Lord Saxondale was indeed no more; but barely an hour had elapsed since the venerable peer breathed his last. Ralph, assuming as mournful a demeanour as he could possibly put on, desired one of the servants to conduct him to the apartment of the deceased ; and this command was immediately obeyed. In a few minutes Ralph stood in the chamber of death, and by the couch in which his uncle had so recently expired. The Rev. Mr. Clifton and the surgeon withdrew from motives of respect; for waoether the heir or not, at all events Ralph was too near a relative not to be treated courteously. Besides, it occurred to the worthy clergyman that the nephew might be stricken with remorse for his past conduct, and that he did not choose to have spectators of the feelings _ to which he might give vent. Alas! how little did the unsophisticated and well-meaning Mr. Clifton know of the true nature of the emotions that were now agitating within the breast of that bad man! The nurse did however remain in the room. It was her privilege—a mournful one, but not the less sanctioned by custom—to remain with the dead; and Ralph, mindful of her presence, still retained that hypocritical air of sadness which he had put on for the occasion. He gazed upon the countenance of the deceased ; and not for a single instant did his heart smite him at the thought that he himself in reality was the cause of his uncle's death. But while looking down upon that coun- tenance which was now peaked, thin, sunken, and wan, beneath the finger of the Destroyer, his mind was wandering with the speed of a race-horse throughout the sumptuous apartments of the castle, and over the broad domain of Saxondale, all of which he looked upon as his own. So engrossed was he in these thoughts, even while seeming to contemplate with sadness tbe face of the dead, that he did not hear the tramp- ling of horses and the rapid rush of wheels— which sounds however did reach the chamber. Treading noiselessly over the thick carpet, the nurse, who had caught those sounds, approaches the window ; and slightly lifting the white blind, which was drawn completely down, slie glanced forth. It was still daylight, and the nurse could see plainly enough all objects without. Quickly turning away from the window again, she whis- pered to Ralph, “ It is her ladyship’s travelling- carriage. Poor thing; IL suppose she has come back.” “ Ah!” ejaculated Ralph, startled from his re- verie by this announcement; and then an expres- sion of malignant triumph appeared upon his fea- tures, as he thought to himself that the moment was now at hand when he should be enabled to exbibit his hatred towards the being whom he had included amongst the number of those that had been such obstacles in his path, “ Hush!” said the old nurse, placing her finger upon her lip to remind him that so loud an eja- culation was but little suited to the solemnity of COMIC OOO S (CO)