The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 387: what you’re looking at

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372 tered the room, “I can’t stand this sort of thing any longer; and so I have resolved to go abroad.” Lord Petersfield looked positively aghast at what he considered to be the precipitate and reckless manner in which the young nobleman spoke ; while his dignity was offended by the omission of those ceremonial phrases and compliments with which he expected that every visit should invariably commence. Mr. Malton wag also surprised at the abrupt and ejaculatory language that Edmund made use of. “Sit down,” said Lord Petersfield, pompously in- dicating a chair; “and when you have recovered breath and are perfectly master of your thoughts, have the goodness to explain what sort of thing it is you cannot stand.” rn “Why, I am sick of London-life,’ exclaimed Saxondale, fling himself upon one chair and putting his legs up on another. “I wish I had accepted your lordship’s proposal of a few weeks back, about being attached to that foreign embassy, you know. Of course you are well aware from that list of debts I sent in, that poor Emily Archer and I were on very intimate terms together ; and also as a matter of course, you have read the account in the news- papers of her mysterious death.” “T have no doubt,” said Lord Petersfield. gravely, “that she was about to pay a visit to Saxondale Castle at the time — perhaps thinking you were there—or perhaps to see her ladyship for some pur- pose 4 “Well, I can’t say,” interrupted Edmund; “and I don’t like talking of the business: it has upset me very much. Besides, I am so precious dull all by myself in Park Lane ; “Then wherefore,” inquired Mr. Malton, “ do you “not join the family circle down in Lincolnshire? I understand that Lady Macdonald and Lady Florina Staunton are there “No: they came back to town yesterday,” ob- served Edmund. “I learnt it by accident. My valet happened to see them arrive.” And pray, Lord Saxondale,” asked Petersfield, severely, “have you not been this (lay to pay your respect to that lady who is affianced to you?” “Can’t say that I have,” responded Edmund. * But I shall go there presently. The fact is, lam very much afraid Florina must have learnt on what terms I was with poor Emily; and if so, all will be up in that quarter. I wish to go abroad for a few months; and therefore I came to tell your lord- ship that I will accept of that post = “It is no longer vacant,” remarked Petersfield: “but if you are serious, Hdmund, you can ac- company me. For her Majesty's Ministers have entrusted me with a special mission to Vienna 3 “And when do you propose to leave P” asked Saxondale, making a slight grimace at the thought of accompanying his guardian. “In three days,” returned Lord Petersfield. * But if you really purpose to go with me, you must make up your mind to-morrow.” “It’s made up at once. I will go!” exclaimed Edmund; “and there’s my hand upon it.” Lord Petersficld just took the tips of Edmund’s fingers in a cold grasp, and began to give him some advice—which the young nobleman did not think it worth while to wait for; aud bidding both his lord- ship and Mr. Malton guod bye, he quitted the TWH, , THE MYSTERIES OF THE OOURT. CHAPTER LXXIXx, THE DISCARDED SUITOR. WE must now return to Mr. Gunthorpe, whom we left at the moment when he departed from the pre- sence of Lord Petersfield and Sir John Marston. Returning to his carriage, which was waiting, the old gentleman ordered himself to be driven to Lady Macdonald’s house in Cavendish Square; but as the vehicie proceeded thither, he felt almost inclined to issue a fresh instruction and postpone his visit to Lady Macdonald until the following day. He felt anxious—deeply anxious—to return to Lady Bess’s cottage: but on mature reflection he resolved to let the interval of a night pass, so that he should have ample leisure to compose the feelings which had been so cruelly tortured, and thus prepare himself fur an interview which he foresaw would be attended with painful circumstances. He therefore allowed the carriage to proceed towards Cavendish Square; and by the time it had reached Lady Macdonald’s residence, Mr. Gunthorpe had so far.regained his wonted composure that whatever he felt inwardly, was no longer reflected in his countenance. That his visit at Lady Macdonald’s had been ex- pected, was evident from the circumstance that the moment ke announced his name he was conducted into a parlour, where her ladyship immediately joined him. Florina was not present at this iuter- view, which lasted for upwards of an hour. Mr. Gunthorpe and La:ly Macdonald had much to talk upon: but we cannot at present explain the nature of their discourse. Suffice it to say that at the ex- piration of the colloquy, Mr. Gunthorpe accom- panied Lady Macdonald up into the drawing-room, where Florina was seated. This young lady, rising from her chair, hastened forward to bestow the most cordial welcome upon her lover’s much-valued friend; and it was even with a species of paternal kindness that the old gentleman treated Florina. *‘ Now, I dare say,” he exclaimed, making her sit beside him upon a sofa, “ that you are very anxious indeed to know what has taken place between me and your aunt? Well, I think, my dear Fliorina— for so you must permit me to call you—that your aunt will give you the welcome intelligence that she is perfectly satistied with a certain young gentle- | man’s rectitude of conduet——” “« Ah, Mr. Gunthorpe!” murmured Florina, with blushes upon her cheeks and the light of joy dancing in her beauteous eyes; “how can I sufliciently thank you for having thus cleared up the character of one + “Whom you love so dearly—eh?” interrupted |My. Gunthorpe. “Ah! you need not throw that | dismayed look at your aunt. Sie will not reproach vou for having kept this love a secret from her. | She knows everything now.” “Yes, dearest I‘lorina,” said Lady Macdonald, speaking with a most affectionate kindness; “ Me. _Gunthorpe has told me everything, and I shall not chide you. To tell you the truth, for the last two or three weeks I have myself entertained serious misgivings as to whether your happiness was being truly and really consulted by this engagement with Lord Saxondale. But now I can hesitate no longer in giving you the assurance that it must be broken | off.” Go 0)(0)(0) (C CS (E()