The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 372: what you’re looking at

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ILD IAT te ieee a ae 008 the letter, so transcended all the previous satis- faction which he felt at the prospects of escape held out by the preceding portion, that he for a few minutes forgot everything save the one grand fact that his Louisa loved him as fondly as ever. The assurance thus conveyed seemed to inspire him with new life: hope lit up its flaming beacon befure his eyes—and again did he whisper to him- self that the wheel of fortune was turning in his favour. But when the first gush of ecstatic feelings had thus found a vent, he was enabled to revert with befitting seriousness and deliberation to the mea- sures that were in progress for his escape. To solicit another interview with the Prefect was the only way to obtain the information which his iriends outside requested him to procure —namely, the time fixed for his removal, and the place to which he was to be removed: but as it was now nine o'clock in the evening he considered it best to postpone the demand for that interview with the Fretect until the following morning. Dismissing the nurse therefore for the night, he remained alone to meditate upon his prospects, his hopes, and his love. After breakfast next morning he was about to pen a note to the Prefect, when the door opened and that functionary entered the room. The old nurse im- mediately withdrew; and the moment she had re- tired, the Prefect addressed himself to Jocelyn in the following manner :— ‘“‘ By this morning’s post I have received a letter from London. It is to the effect that from some- thing which has transpired within the last week or ten days, it is deemed expedient no longer to insist upon that clause in the bond which forbids your al- liance with Miss Louisa Stanley.” “ Ah!” ejaculated Loftus, in astonishment: ‘ what could have transpired to have produced this change of opinion upon that point? Your Excellency can surely cpeak with more openness and less enigma than heretofore. Indeed, I know full well that the Marquis of Leveson is at the bottom ofall this——” ‘Well, then,” ooserved the Prefect, hastily, “it does appear from the letter I have received this morning, that his lordship has learnt something which bas induced him to alter his mind very ma- terially coneerning this matrimonial project of your’s, But whether it be that Miss Louisa Stanley turns out to be more highly connected than he had at first supposed—or whether she has suddenly proved the heiress to a fortune—I am of course utterly unable to conjecture. Suffice it for you to know, that this particular clause in the bond is withdrawn; and I will take it upon myself to erase the stipulation which requires your submission and obedience to the Marquis of Leveson. It now therefore only remains for you to sign your assent to that clause which sa- credly and solemnly pledges you to abstain from any interference in the affairs of the Princess of Wales—to bury in oblivion all that you may have ever learnt upon that subject—and to pursue your future career as if no such details haa ever come to | your knowledge.” “ ] have listened to your Excellency with varied feelings of interest,” said Jocelyn, in a firm and de- liberate tone, “That an assent should now be given to my union with Miss Louisa Stanley, is so far agreeable inasmuch as it can only be a tribute of ad- miration and respect accorded to her beauty and her rr rrr em rete eee ee eee EE THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. virtues ; for that she has suddenly discovered any high connexions or become possessed of a fortune, I do not fora moment believe, The clause relative to my submission tothe Marquis of Leveson could indeed be well dispensed with, for reasons which I need not explain. But as for that clause which zs to remain and which I am to be called upon to sign—were I to purchase my freedom on such terms, never should I dare venture into the presence of Louisa Stanley again. When first I set out upon this enterprise, she encouraged me to pursueit; and with all the gene- rosity of her nature did she appreciate the duty which circumstances thus imposed upon me, She felt for the injured Princess—not because she is 4 Princess—but because she is a woman—a wronged and injured woman !—and she would regard me as a coward—a hase recreaunt—were I now, in a moment of weakness or folly, to abaudon the cause of that persecuted lady.” The Prefect exerted all his eloquence to remon- strate, persuade, and cajole, in order to induce Jocelyn to sign the bond, now cut down to a single clause: but not even to this one clause would the young man append his name. At length, tired of his unavailing endeavours to alter the prisoner’s decision, the Pre- fect said, “ Then if you are bent upon this obstinacy, I have no alternative but to follow out the instruc. tions which I have received.” “And those instructions?” said Loftus, inter- rogatively. “To treat you asa lunatic,” responded the Pre- fect, “ and remove you to an asylum for the insane. To-morrow night, therefore, at eleven o’clock, will you be transferred hence—unless in the interval you yield to the dictates of reason and prudence.” Having thus spoken, his Excellency hastened from the room ; and soon afterwards the old nurse returned. Jocelyn now penned the following note:— **ToO MY FRIENDS OUTSIDE,— Whoever ye are, accept my sincerest and most heartfelt thanks! Your note duly reached me; and as a farther token that it is really I, the undersigned, who am thus corresponding with you, permit me to ask whether Miss Clara Stanley is still residing with Mr. and Mrs. Beckford in Stratton Street, Piccadilly? The time of my removal is fixed for to-morrow night at clevens and my destiny is @ mad-house~ but where situated 1 know not. This point I could not ascertain; nor is there any chance of discovering it. I have not the slightest doubt that the old woman is fully trustworthy. “JOCELYN LOFTUS.” But scarcely had our hero penned the last words of his note, when the thought suddenly struck him, with the dismaying effect of a lightning-flash, that although the nurse brought the notes to him and carried his own to the friends outside, yet that it was quite possible for her to submit the whole corre- spondence to the Prefect as it passed through her hands. This idea had not struck him before; and his heart now sank within him. He glanced up from the paper on which he had just been writing, and en- countered the looks of the woman as they were fixed upon him: but there was nothing troubled in the manner in which she met his gaze. On the con- trary, she evidently perceived that some misgiving had suddenly entered his mind; and in a calm un- rufiied tone, she said, “I cannot convince you, sif, of my fidelity: but after all, what risk do you ran by trusting me? If 1 really am faithful, well and good: but if, on the other hand, I am all the while betraying you to the Prefect, what alteration can it GoOmicdoo (C ————— S CO)