The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 339: what you’re looking at

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324 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. to the propagation of Lady Saxondale’s calumny, I us waste time: for I really have important things resolved that my sister should not form another en- to talk to you about. In the first place, Emily, do ~ gagement at the expiration of her present one. you remember all that affair I told you of con- With the two thousand guineas which she will have cerning Lady Saxondale ?” received by the time it is over, and with myown “What! and the masquerade dress, and so resources ——” forth?” exclaimed Emily. “To be sure, I do. “You thought you could live very comfortably Edmund and I often talk of it, and have a good indeed ?” said Mr. Gunthorpe. ‘“ Well, we shall laugh over it into the bargain. By the bye, Edmund see. Perhaps I may be inclined to add a little to seems to love his mother amazingly—does he not ?” your store: for of course you will not refuse to “ You of course mean the very reverse. But tell allow me to do exactly what I choose. I have not me, Eimily—have you repeated those cireumstances forgotten, William Deveril, that when I first knew to anybody else? Have you gossipped concerning you at Florence you declined the remuneration I them amongst your friends and companions at the offered for completing Signor Vivaldi’s picture; Opera? Do speak frankly and truly: for 1 am and tu speak candidly, it was that circumstance most anxious to know.” which first gave me such a high opinion of you. ‘ No—I have not—upon my honour I have not,” Depend upon it, the money is bearing good interest replied Emily. ‘I do not pretend to be of a very for you, in my pocket.” | serious or prudent nature: but those were circum- “ My dear Mr. Gunthorpe,” replied Deveril, both stances which, coming to my knowledge in the way affected and astonished,—for his worthy friend had they did, I kept to myself.” never spoken before with so much frankness as to | “You are sure of this? you are certain that you the liberality of his ulterior intentions,—“ Ido not have not inadvertently let drop a word to a soul ?” know——I am at a loss to conceive how I have | said Harold, with evident eagerness. ‘ deserved so much goodness at your hands. But I} “I repeat—and more solemuly still if you wish hope you will not fancy that I ever entertained any it—that I have not. Iam sure that I have not,” selfish views when proffering you such little atten- added the danseuse, emphatically. “ But tell me— tions as it was in my power to show ?” have you made it up with Lady Saxondale ?—for “Selfish views ?—ridiculous !”” ejaculated the old Edmund informed me that you had gone suddenly gentleman. “I am not so blind to the true cha- off upon a visit to the Castle in Lincolnshire.” racters of men. But here we are:’—and as he! “Yes:—I have made it up with her—and all spuke, the carriage stopped in front of Deveril’s things considered, I should be sorry to do her an picturesque little villa. injury,” observed Staunton. “ You will come in and sup with us?” said our; “Then I presume fe young hero. “Presume what you will, my dear girl,” inter- “ No—not to-night: it is too late. Good bye, | rupted Harold; “ but do not waste time in unneces- my dear boy—good bye:”’—and Mr. Gunthorpe sary remarks. Where is that Spanish dress? You shook Deveril warmly by the hand as the latter have got it here—I wish you would give it to me.” alighted from the vehicle. ‘To-morrow morning I; “Ah!” ejaculated Emily, as a sudden thought shall come to you early, to make our ar.angements struck her: and then she muttered to herself, “To about leaving for Lincolnshire. Once more good, be sure! I have been a fool, with a knowledge of night.” such a secret as this——” — “What are you saying to yourself?” demanded Harold, some slight misgiving springing up in his CHAPTER LXVIL. SH “IT was thinking,” responded Miss Archer, “ that i would rather not part with the dress for the “AT the same time that the preceding scene was moment :’—and there was altogether a chauge in taking place, the following one was occurring else- her manner and her looks, from a mixture of languor where. and levity, to a mien of seriousness blended with The elegant drawing-room of Evergreen Villa in resolute decision. the Seven Sisters’ Road was lighted by the superb “Emily, I do not understand you!” ejaculated lustre suspended from the ceiling; and the beautiful Harold. ‘“ You cannot refuse to do me such a Kmily Archer was seated upon the sofa, with Lord trifling favour? Consider on what terms we have Harold Staunton by her side. He had only been been—how friendly—how intimate——” announced a few minutes ; and as yet the conversa- “ Yes: but must look out for my own interests,” sion had merely touched upon those ordinary fleet- responded Miss Archer. “ You have made it up ing topics which are too trivial to be recorded here, with Lady Saxondale; and you have your own Harold had however learnt that Lord Saxondale purpose to serve in screening her reputation. It might be very shortly expected ; and therefore he never struck me until Just now that by the pos- wos anxious to make the most of whatsoever interval session of this secret I may serve my own purposes THE DANCER AND THE TWC LORDS. remained for him to be alone with Emily. likewise.” “Now, my dear girl,” he said, “ L wish to speak “To be sure!” said the young nobleman. “I to you very seriously ——’” did not for a moment think that you would give up “What! are you going to make me an offer of the dress without some little consideration. Will marriage?” exclaimed Miss Archer, laughing so as you allow me to present you with five hundred to display her brilliant teeth. guineas?” “ Perhaps I might do a worse thing than that,” “Ah!” again muttered Emily to herself: “the replicd Harold, in order to flatter her. “But as thing is indeed serious in their eyes—very seriou you say that Saxondale will soon return, do mot let evidently.” i CORMICOOOKS.eO)