The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 286: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. this young lady entertains the hope of becoming the Marchioness of Villebelle”’ The Marquis coldly bowed an assent. “ My lord,” at once resumed Sir John Marston, “you surely will not compel me to push this un- 271 “Ah! she has done this?” ejaculated Sir John Marston becoming very pale: then, as the colour rushed back to his cheeks with the excitement of rage, he exclaimed, “ No, no—I do not believe it! You have possessed yourself by foul means of those pleasant business any farther? The moment Isaw documents! Or else they are forgeries which you that young lady in company with your lordship, I have prepared, the better to silence the scruples of penetrated the object which you had in view: it was scarcely possible to mistake it:—for the young lady will not be offended with me if I ubserve that there is something in her appearance and her whole de- meanour which to the man of the world at once forbids the entertainment of a dishonouring idea.” “Well, sir, I understand what you mean,” said the Marquis. “It. occurred to you that this lady | is accompanying me to France to honour me with effort over his feelings. your intended victim !”—and now he pointed direct towards Miss Constance Farefield. “Sir John Marston,” exclaimed the Marquis of - Villebelle, “dare to address me in that language again, and [ shall fling the lie in your teeth. Nay, more—you may consider that I do so now. And there is the door. Depart!” “One word,” said the baronet exercising a strong “You may possess the her hand? You see that I am not afraid to speak marriage-certificate—you may possess other docu- out. There is no necessity for disguise: It is as ' ments connected therewith—but stil! the marriage you say.” | remains the same. It is registered at the Ambas- “But is it possible that this young lady,” ex- | sador’s chapel in Paris; and so long as that record claimed the baronet, now becoming as much be- | does exist, is the marriage binding and valid—un- wildered as agitated, “is acquainted with certain particulars your exact position, I mean ‘ “She is, sir,” responded the Marquis. “ From her own lips may you hear the confirmation of my averment, if you choose.” “Then there is indeed no necessity for disguise,” quickly observed the baronet. ‘‘Madam,” he added, advancing towards Constance, “ you areaware that | you are about to bestow yuur hand upon a person who is already married—that therefore the cere- mony can be but the veriest mockery so far as you yourself are concerned—and that in respect to the Marquis himself it will subject him to the penalties — attendant upon bigamy.” Constance felt much distressed at haring the matter thus put in so plain and pointed a style; and although it assumed no more serious aspect than it had previously worn tu her knowledge, yet | it wounded her keenest sensibilities to have it thus submitted in so cold, deliberate, and business-like a@ manner to her contemplation. But conquering her emotions, she said, “I beg, sir, that you will address none of your observations to me. As a_ bunals of justice—— perfect stranger, you have no riguat to control my treaty, “wherefore interfere with us thus? less indeed a special law should dissolve it. N ow, understand me well! I will keep close watch upon you—I will follow you and this young lady whither- soever you may go—and if you dare attempt to obtain vhe solemnization of a marriage-ceeremony with her, I will stand forward to forbid its pro- gress. Ah! I have terrified you now—and you begiv to perceive that the matter is indeed more serious than you would appear to think it.” “Oh, Sir John Marston!” exclaimed Constance, now advancing, her hands clasped in earnest en- Your threatened conduct will amount to a bitter perse- cution exposure, disgrace, and ruin will follow Oh! sir, I beseech you not to be thus cruel— thus merciless. Join your éntreaties to mine, Etienne,” she cried, clinging to the arm of her lover. “No, Constance, I will not entreat,” respongled the Marquis with firm look and decisive tone. “If Sir John Marston pushes this affair to extremes, he must account to the world—account also to the tri- bP ‘Beware, my lord: you touch upon the threshold actions :”—and then averting her head, she spoke of the secret which you have sworn not to betray!” aside to Mary-Anne. “A secret, Etienne?” echoed Constance, with a “Tt is impossible that this affair can be allowed sudden glance of suspicion and reproachfulness at to proceed,” resumed Sir John Marston, again turn- ing to Villebelle. ‘ You are already married—and your wife is alive. It was but yesterday I received documentary proof of this fact. Here,” continued the Baronet, producing a paper from his pocket, “is a receipt fora certain quarterly allowance which the enjoys, and whiclr receipt was duly forwarded to me by my agent in London. Do you dispute the fact? do you doubt it?” he demanded emphati- cally. “T neither dispute nor doubt it,’ responded the Marquis: “for within the last few weeks I myself have seen the lady to whom you allude. But to show you the value she attaches to the marriage- ceremony which took place between us five years ago, here is the certificate—here also are other documents connected therewith—all of which she spontaneously surrendered up to me. Wishing to be free herself, she has cheerfully done her utmost to ernancipate me from the same bonds of thraldom which she threw off.” | her lover. “Sir John Marston merely alludes to the names Of those who were interested in that marriage,” was Villebelle’s quick response. ‘Constance, I have deceived you in nothing. I have told you every- thing except those names;—and you yourself can tell Sir John Marston the assurance which I gave you—that I honoured the secret in respect to those names—that I deemed it inviolable—and that I did not even betray it to you.” “ Let the names transpire if you will,” exclaimed the baronet, with ill-suppressed fury: “I will pre- vent this second marriage at all risks ——by heaven, I will !” Thus speaking, he turned abruptly away—drew open the door violently—and was about to rush out of the room, when he stopped suddenly short, exclaiming, “ Al! have we spies here ?”’—for he had caught sight of the retreating form of Kate Mar- shall as she flitted away from the vicinage of the door. S E® JOO (CO)