The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 386: what you’re looking at

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

ee en ——e—V—_——e........ THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. know what to think. In short, we resolved to consult your lordship in this most delicate and un- pleasant matter. Heaven forbid that I,” Mr. Mal- ton went on to say, ‘‘should lend myself to un- worthy or unjust suspicions: but we do know, Lord Petersfield, that women sometimes take strange whims and caprices into their head ; and if it should have happened that Lady Saxondale, in a moment of weakness, spoke or looked tenderly to this young -man, who, as your lordship well knows, is of ex- traordinary beauty——In a word, my lord, we are all frail beings in this world.” Lord Petersfield, when looking inward to the depths of his own conscience, knew full well that Mr. Malton had just given utterance to a solemn truth; and the circumstances of his own position naturally led him to reflect that it was quite pos- sible, and even probable, that Lady Saxondale had laid herself open to grave aspersions. There was he —Lord Petersfield—a man who had filled high di- plomatic oflices—whose honour and integrity fre- quently became the subject of compliment on the part of his brother-peers in the Upper House— who was occasionally alluded to in certain news- papers as a man of unimpeachable rectitude—and who, in money-affairs, was looked upon by all who knew him as an individual of scrupulous nicety,— there he was, occupying this proud position, and yet harbouring the secret consciousness that he was a vile plunderer of orphans—a base betrayer of the confidence which a generous friendship had re- posed in him—the accomplice of men of infamous character in the doing of infamous deeds! Such he knew himself to be, while the world at large thought him so very different. Might not the case be some- what similar with Lady Saxondale? Might not all the pride of her virtue be a mere outward assump- tion—a mask—an hypocrisy—a deceit? Besides, did not Lord Petersfield himself know enough of the world—particularly of that aristocratic sphere in which he moved—to be well aware that female frailties were often hidden beneath a consummate dissimulation? And was there not within his own knowledge the special case of Lady Everton—that case in all the ramifying results of which he had been so mixed up? These varied re‘lections swept rapidly through the mind of Lord Petersfield, as Mr. Malton had been speaking; and for upwards of a minute he remained silent. “Well, my dear sir,” he at length said, “ there may be something worthy of consideration in your remarks. But do you not see that it is a very dif- ficult matter to deal with? Assuredly, Lady Saxon- dale must not be permitted to rush headlong into disgrace. She may not know the nature of the evidence that her opponents are possessed of against her. Persons—as you of course are even better aware than myself—frequently go to law with the confident hope that everything which is really dam- natory to themselves is unkuown to their oppo- nents ” “ Just so, my lord,” said Mr. Malton: “and then, when it all comes out, and they find themselves over- whelmed with disgrace and confusion, they bitteriy regret their folly in having persevered with law. was thinking that if your lordship would only write a pressing letter to Lady Saxondale—or what would be much better, progeed into Lincolnshire and ob. | 1} 371 tain a personal interview—you might, with that delicacy and tact which your lordship knows so well how to use, induce her ladyship to empower Marlow and myself to compromise this matter.” “I cannot possibly give an immediate answer,” said the nobleman. “It requires deliberation it is something to be pondered upon: I could not under- take anything rash i “But the affair is urgent, my lord,’ said Mr. Malton. ‘“ In two or three days, unless we are pre- pared to do something, Mr. Gunthorpe’s attorney will commence proceedings.” “Well, my dear sir, I must take the rest of this day to consider the matter,” rejoined Lord Peters- field; “and I will let you know to-morrow. If I decide upon proceeding into Lincolnshire ‘i “You will in that case,’ added Malton, wishing to nail the nobleman to this particular course, “ start to-morrow morning ?” “Start, Mr. Malton?” observed the diplomatist, looking very grave and very suspicious. “I never start. I never do anything in a hurry. I do not start, as you term it: I take my departure.” “T beg your lordship’s pardon for having used so improper a term,” said the lawyer: “ I will be more guarded in future.” At this moment the footman entered, bearing a large official-looking packet with an enormous seal. Lord Petersfield took it from the silver salver on which it was presented—placed it sulemnly before hin—and waited until the servant had withdrawn before he broke the seal. Then he opened the de- spatch—looked slowly round the roum to convince himself that there was nobody but Malton present with him—and lastly fixed his eyes upon the lawyer himself, as if to acquire the additional certainty that this gentleman was not prepared to take any undue advantage of the packet being opened in his pre- sence. Malton perfectly understood what was pass- ing in the mind of the cautious diplomatist; and he could not help smiling as he rose to take his leave. But the nobleman bade him remain for a few minutes until he had examined the despatch: Mr. Malton accordingly resumed his seat, while Lord Petersfield slowly and solemnly perused the contents of the documeut he hail just received. Having dune this, he folded it up again —placed it in the envelope —tied a piece of red tape round the packet—and then deliberately endorsed it with the day of the month and the very hour at which he had re- ceived it. “Tt is as I thought,” said his lordship, “when I begged you to remain. I[ have just received an an- nouncement and when I tell you this, Malton, it is with the deliberate conviction that L am justi- fied in so telling you——that I cannot possibly pro- ceed into Lincolnshire. Ali [ can do, is to write to Lady Saxondale. Her Majesty’s Ministers, hav- ing every confidence in my ability, caution, and wariness, have selected me for a special mission to the Imperial Court of Vienna. It is not altogether unexpected—L think IL may go so far as to state that I did positively expect 1t-——” Again the duor opened; and the footman said, * Please your lordship, Lord Saxundale requests @ few minutes’ interview with your lordship.” “Let Lord Saxondale be imtroduced,” said the nobleman. “Well, you sce,” exclaimed Edurund, as he on- EO JOO S (CO)