The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 301: what you’re looking at

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286 have suffered!”—and he pressed his hand to his brow: for though his intellects had almost re- covered their equilibrium, yet there were moments when they appeared to totter slightly as if about to fall back into confusion—but then again, with the elasticity of reviving vigour, did they regain the firmness of their position. ‘Come with me, Henrietta,” said Lady Bess, “ for I have much to tell you, and we had better converse alone. This dear little boy is your brother? He shall remain with my brother, whom you see here— and also with our friend Adolphus.” Elizabeth Chandos accordingly conducted Hen- rietta into ancther room; and there she proceeded to inform her who Adolphus really was, and where- fore he had been kept for so many years in captivity. Henrietta was naturally surprised on learning that it was the real and true Lord Everton with whom accident had thus’ made her acquainted; and if any- thing were wanting to augment her indignation against the old profligate who had usurped the title, it was this tale of abominable iniquity towards his nephew which she now heard. Lady Bess likewise explained to her how it was that Adolphus had found his way to her chamber at Beech-Tree Lodge on those occasions when his ghastly appearance so much frightened her ; and she wound up her narra- tive by the intimation that in a very few days there could be no doubt that Adolphus would be enabled to stand before the worldas the real Lord Everton. Henrietta was rejoiced to hear that the cause of right and justice would thus be made to triumph over that of usurpation and wrong; and she re- marked upon the extraordinary change for the better that had taken place in the young nobleman’s looks. “ You may have perceived,” said Lady Bess, “ that his reason has nearly established itself firmly upon its seat again, but that there are moments when it quails and totters with a transient feebleness. How- ever, his progress towards a complete restoration to health and intellect is highly satisfactory, and ex- ceeds even the most sanguine hopes that at the com- mencement I dared form. But now, Miss Leyden, lét us speak of yourself. In the first place I have to thank you for complying with my request, that no publicity might be given to the incidents which rendered us acquainted.” “Tt would indeed have been ungrateful on my part to have disregarded your injunctions,” re- sponded Henrietta. ‘You may even think that I have been guilty of ingratitude, as itis, for suffering so many days to elapse ere I called to renew my sense of the boundless obligation under which I lie towards you.” | “ Perhaps,” said Lady Bess, slowly and with a significant look, “ you had some hesitation in coming hither after all you saw on the night of your deli- verance P—or perhaps your relations and friends may have counselled you against renewing your ac- quaintance with me?” “Mrs. Chandos,” said Henrietta, with a tone and look of warm effusion, “ you wrong me—lI can assure you that you wrong me. Candidly do I confess that the one incident of that night—an inci- dent to which I need not more particularly allude— has troubled me much: -but I have endeavoured to reason myself into the belief that although you suf- fered that proceeding to take place, you were no THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. participator in its fruits. Besides, when I thought of the evident superiority of your looks, your man- ners, your language, I could not suffer myself to remain in the belief that But I need not be explicit——-And now that I behold you in this attire, and that I contemplate the honest frankness of your countenance——No, no—I cannot believe that-——” “And you are right,’ said Lady Bess: “ you must believe nothing injurious with respect to me, There is some little mystery as to my motive in assuming male apparel the other day: but you will not ask me for explanations. It is my secret.” “ And not for worlds would I seek to penetrate it,” responded Henrietta. “I was about to tell you that I was not very explicit in the account I gave to my mother—and to a good kind friend whom heaven has sent us—relative to the transactions of the other night. At the same time you must un- derstand that it was but one incident which I thus suppressed ————” ; ‘I thank you, dear Miss Leyden,” exelaimed Lady Bess, “ for this delicacy and generosity on your part. But do not let me suffer in your opinion, even by the existence of a doubt in your mind as to the particular incident to which you allude. Can you not comprehend that I stood in the position of a general who can only induce his army to assail a fortified town on the express condition that if suc- cessful in taking it, the booty shall be their own? You saw that I permitted those men whom I en- listed in the enterprise, to help themselves to what- soever was in the room where we found you: but I consented not to a generai sack and plunder. Now you understand the position in which I was placed: and if I had been over nice, both you and Adolphus would be captives there still.” “Tam glad that you have given me all these as- TT : surances,” exclaimed Henrietta, completely deceived — by the sophistry of Lady Bess, whose hand she took and pressed warmly. that particular incident when narrating the parti- culars of my escape to my mother and our friend, there was of course no objection raised to my pay- ing you a visit this day. Indeed, were not my mother an invalid, she would have come personally to thank you; and if I myself have not been sooner, it was because that dear mother’s illness, so cruelly ageravated by my unaccountable disappearance, has required all my attention. A little while back we were poor—very, very poor—and dwelling in 9 mean garret: but now, through the kindness of @ gentleman named Gunthorpe, we are in comfort- able circumstances and in a healthy abode. Mr. Gunthorpe has taken for us a sweet little residence on Stamford Hill——” “ Ah! you are therefore at no great distance from my cottage ?” exclaimed Lady Bess. “Tt is but a mere walk,” responded Henrietta ; “and as my mother was somewhat better this morning, I resolved to lose not another day in visiting you, accompanied by my little brother, Through the aid of Mr. Gunthorpe I am going to open a seminary so soon as my mother is restored to healfh. Oh! you know not what a kind benevo- lent gentleman is this Mr. Gunthorpe of whom I am speaking. He will not let us utter a word of thanks for all he does, and is so hasty and impul- sive in his proceedings. Whatever he decides upon is done at once; and he appears to be immensely — - res * As I forbore to touch upon © Go 0)(0)(0) cS (EC)