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

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

ee ee TNE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. and pathetic tale which the Marquis had told Louisa upon that subject, was so artfully conceived as to appeal to all the tenderest feelings of the- maiden, and thus predisposed her naturally affec- tionate disposition to entertain a deep liking for Lady Ernestina. Thus was it that though Louisa Stanley had only been a few hours beneath the same roof with Lord Leveson’s niece, the latter had already ob- tained a strong hold upon the unsuspecting girl and had insinuated herself entirely into,her confi- dence. Therefore, as they now sate together, Ernestina was bending the kindest looks upon Louisa and conversing with her in the softest and tenderest tones—while the maiden felt as if the music of that voice, so full of angelic commisera- tion and soothing gentleness, flowed like an ano- dyne into the recesses of her wounded heart. “My dear young friend,” said Lady Ernestina, “vou are doubtless most anxious for the return of my uncle——” “ Ah! dear lady,” cried Louisa, “can you not understand that I long to fold a beloved sister in my arms—a sister from whom I have been sepa- rated for so many months !” * But I fear that there must be some mistake relative to your sister's address,” observed the patrician lady. “ However, we shall see in a few minutes: my uncle has been gone nearly an hour —and we may therefore expect his return every moment. Indeed, I wonder what keeps him so long.” “Is Stratton Street far from hence?” inquired Louisa. “ Far!” ejaculated Lady Ernestina. “Oh! no— it is not five minutes’ walk; but [had forgotten that this is the first time you ever visited London. When you were giving me that rapid outline of your his- tory this morning, you mentioned the name of Beck- ford, and observed that your sister was staying with a lady and gentleman of that name——” “Yes: it is not long that they have removed into S.ratton Street,” returned Louisa; “they used to live at No. 20, Hanover Square.” ** No, 20, Hanover Square!” ejaculated Ernestina, stricken with surprise, and even startled by the men- tion of an address which instantly conjured up fear- ful and mysterious associations in her mind: * that is the abode of the Malverns!” “ But have you not in London many streets bear- ing the same name?” inquired Louisa. “Yes—to be sure: and there may be several Stratton Streets—but certainly only one at the West End of the town. There may also be another Han- over Square, for anything that I know: but there is assuredly only one of that name in the region of fashion. However, there is no doubt but the Mar- quis will find out your sister, whatever Stratton Street she may be residing in.” Louisa’s lovely countenance brightened up at these words; and with a look did she thank Lady Ernestina for the assurance. A brief pause then ensued in the conversation: for Louisa began to wonder within herself whether Clara would chide her for having so long abandoned their afflicted aunt to the care of a comparative stranger, and for hurrying in the first place to Paris relative to her lover, and now coming up to London expressly to behold and embrace a sister. On the other hand Lady Ernestina was just think- ing how she should enter upon a certain task which a ———— en oe ee eg a nee 287 her delectable uncle had set her. For every barrier of delicate feeling and pure sentiment was so far ‘broken down between the uncle and niece, that they no longer sought to practise towards each other any concealment of disposition or principles. On the one hand the Marquis knew that his niece had been a very profligate and abandoned demirep, first with a lover of her own choice—then with the Prince into whose arms she was forced: he had seen her so far forget herself as to visit a house of ill-fame in the expectation of meeting a wealthy admirer;—he knew likewise that she had actually been the means of consigning her husband to the scaffold, whereas she might have saved him had she chosen ! On the other hand, Lady Ernestina had experi- enced positive proof that her uncle employed a pro- curess—the infamous Mrs. Gale—to entice young females to her house in order to appease his brutal lusts. Moreover, during his absence in Paris, and since the adventure with the Hangman in the treacherous chair, she had penetrated into the gal- lery of paintings and sculptures, and had thus obtained a deeper—aye, the deepest insight into the hideous sensuality of her uncle’s character. Con- sequently, knowing all these things of each other— and mutually aware too that all these things were thus known—it would have been the most absurd of mockeries to maintain any longer the semblance of delicate feeling, propriety, or virtue; and therefore it seemed as if the Marquis, the moment he re- turned from Paris, was fully prepared to throw off the mask altogether. Such indeed was his intention ; and such was the interpretation that Ernestina put upon his conduct, when he whispered the following words in her ear after Louisa had been conducted to her chamber :—*I need not tell you wherefore I have brought this girl hither. She is innocent as a lamb, and artless as a child: it is for you to initiate her in the mysteries of life, so that when I choose to address her in the language of passion, she may not colour with shame, but with desire.” Thus had the Marquis spoken to his niece on the preceding evening, after having consigned Louisa to her care, and just before he went to pay that visit to the Prince at Carlton House which has been mentioned in a preceding chapter. It was a hideous thing for an uncle thus to address a niece—a still more hideous thing that a niece should consent to obey such instructions on the part of an uncle. And it may seem the more dreadful, too, inasmuch as not many weeks had elapsed since that uncle and that niece were sitting shamefaced and weeping in the presence of each other, at the mutual discoveries of frailty and de- moralization which were then made. But the instant the mask thus fell from their countenauces the barrier of delicacy was speedily annihilated between them;—and moreover, be it observed that in the aristocratic mind the rank weeds of vice and crime spring up, when once they have germinated, with an astonishing rapidity, and speedily bloom in all their poisoned luxuriance in the heated atmosphere of fashionable life. The brief pause which followed the observations relative to Stratton Street, Hanover Square, and Louisa’s sister, was interrupted by Lady Ernestina Dysart observing, “ My dear girl, I cannot suffer you to look thus dull and miserable.” “Ah! dear lady,” said Louisa, with a profouna sigh, “I have so much to render me unhappy!” ) TS Reom OO) ' | | | | | <SHGO