The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 177: what you’re looking at

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- THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. daughter: Lettice rose and dressed herself; and on descending to a parlour on the ground-floor, she found an excellent repast in readiness. Scarcely had she finished, when the Duke of Marchmont arrived at the house. “Tam glad that you have come,” said Lettice, as he entered the room: and she spoke half pout- ingly, half smilingly: “ for really you have consigned me to an abode of incomparable dulness,” “But everything is done, my dear girl, to con- duce to your comfort,” said his Grace, tapping her | familiafly on the cheek. ‘I ordered these people to attend to your slightest wants, and even to anticipate them. After all, you do not look so very unhappy; ahd’ you certainly are not pining away. On the contrary, the fresh air of the country has brought a richer colour to your cheeks; and they invite what 1am now about to bestow upon them.” ' Thus speaking, the Duke kissed each plump and carnation-hued cheek; and then, by way of variety, he paid a similar compliment to the dewy richness of Lettice Rodney’s lips. ~-* And now that you have thus refreshed your- self, my dear Marchmont,” she laughingly and familiarly said, “ perhaps you will have the kind- ness to enter a little more deeply into explana- tions than you have hitherto done? The box of dresses has arrived, I find % “And to-morrow evening, one must be made use of,” rejoined the Duke. “Listen to me atten- tively, my dear Lettice; and I will tell you pre- cisely how you are to act.” ' Marehmont then detailed such explanations as were requisite for the furtherance of his treacher- ous scheme: but it is not consistent with the im- mediate requirements of our narrative that we should chronicle them. Suffice it to observe that Lettice Rodney promised to fulfil the Duke’s in- structions on all points; and she received from him an earnest of his munificence in the form of a small casket containing several exquisite and costly articles of jewellery. “To-morrow night, therefore, my dear Lettice !” said the Duke, as he rose to take his departure. “But recollect that you do not stir abroad in the daytime: you can take plenty of exercise in the large enclosed garden at the back of the house. I took care,” he continued, glancing towards some book-shelves, “to provide you with numerous novels and interesting works: and, by the bye, I have brought you a quantity of newspapers.” Thus speaking, his Grace drew forth a packet of journals, which he placed upon the table ; and after a little more conversation, he took his departure. Presently the young woman Phebe entered the room to clear away the breakfast-things; and Lettice, who was standing at the window, inquired, “What is the distance from the bottom of this lane to Oaklands ?” 3 - “¥ should think about a mile and a quarter,” was Phebe Norwood’s response. “If you are going there, ma’am, you can’t possibly mistake the road: it is pretty nearly straisht—except close by the pond, where the late Duke was murdered; and there it takes a sort of turn.” “Ah?!” ejaculated Lettice, with a shudder : “the 171 “Oh, yes, ma’am,” rejoined Phebe: “ that’s the spot where his Grace was murdered a matter of eighteen years ago, or thereabouts. Grandmother says,’ she added in a half-hushed voice, “ that he walks.” ; , “What do you méan ®” inquired Lettice hastily. “T mean, ma’am,” answered the girl, “that the late Duke’s ghost haunts the place; and what’s more, the howlings of his dog have been heard at the same spot in the night-time.” Maio) “ How absurd !” ejaculated Lettice; but a shade nevertheless came over her countenance—and for the remainder of the day she felt an oppression of spirits such as she had not experienced for a long, long time. A It must be observed that this day of which we have been writing, was Friday. On the following day Christian Ashton had to meet Mr. Redeliffe in the neighbourhood of the turnpike on the Win- chester road. The weather was remarkably fine for that January season; and shortly after two-o’clock in the afternoon of this Saturday, Christian set out on his walk from Oaklands. As he was proceeding through the grounds he perceived the Duchess of Marchmont walking with the Hon. Mr. Stanhope. She was not however leaning on his arm: nor was there aught in her look to denote. that she experienced any particular pleasure in the society of her companion. | We have already said that Lavinia was in her thirty-second year—that she was tall and finely. formed. Her hair was of a light auburn, which she habitually wore in massive tresses ; and which, as they now floated beneath the simple straw- bonnet which she had put on for her: ramble,’ formed a lustrous framework for a countenance of the most interesting beauty. Her profile was faultless. The forehead was high, and dazzlinely fair,—the delicate tracery of blue veins being visible beneath the pure transparent skin. . Her nose was perfectly straight: the eyebrows, many: shades darker than the hair, were finely arched. The large blue eyes had a soft and pensive expres. sion: more beauteous eyes never graced a female countenance! The lashes were darker still than the brows, and thickly fringed the lids. Nothing could excel the classic chiselling of the lips, which were of bright vermilion; and when the Duchess ‘smiled, those Jips revealed two rows of teeth resembling pearls. The delicately rounded chin completed the oval of that beauteous countenance, —the complexion of which was chastely fair, with only the tint of the rose-leaf upon the cheeks. To gaze upon that charming face—to observe the goodness of disposition which the large blue eyes expressed—it would seem impossible that any man was possessed of a soul black enough to harbour evil thoughts against this lady. Indeed she pose sessed every charm of countenance and of figure; as well as of mind, to inspire admiration, love, and respect. The symmetry of Lavinia’s form was complete. Nothing could exceed the graceful arching of the neck, or the dazzling whiteness of the throat.’ The | shoulders sloped gently, thus imperceptibly as it were blending with the arms. The bust was finely modelled, but modestly concealed by a dress with pond where the late Duke was murdered is on | a high corsage ; and this was the invariable style the road-side ?”—and then she said to herself, “A comfortable spot to pass at night-time !”” Ol te i ee ee ee 7S aa PARE Ok, eee Pea: ary iG 30,0) VM @ . adopted by Lavinia, whose pure taste and delicacy of feeling- would have revolted against any mere- LL LL OSES ATS A I A ne ts