The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 283: what you’re looking at

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ee eS SS shall become the strongest law for me. But re- member, dear Ethel, my position is not merely a painful one—it is absolutely frightful!” *“T know—I know it!” exclaimed the Countess, again speaking with a kind of hysterical frenzy ; “and therefore it is impossible for me to advise you. Do what you will: but if your position be fright- ful, mine is almost desperate—and sooner than behold you compelled to lead another to the altar a She stopped short; and Adolphus was terrified by the strange wild look of mingled frenzy and despair which for a few moments seemed stamped upon her countenance. “ Good heavens! what am I to do?” he ex- claimed, starting up from ‘his kneeling position at her feet, and beginning to pace the room with agitated and uneven steps. “I feel as if I were going mad!” « And I,” cried the Countessin a thrilling voice, “ feel as if L were mad already! Oh, why did I ever love you as I have done ?—wherefore do I love you so passionately still P” “Ethel, let us endeavour to be composed and reasonable,” said Adolphus, at length resuming his seat by her side, and taking her hand as he looked with fond earnestness and imploring en- treaty in her face. “TI tell you that I neither will nor can take any step without your consent :—but will you calmly envisage all the difficulties of the position in which I know we are placed ?” “Yes, yes—proceed !” said the Countess. “I am calm—I am reasonable!”—and yet she shivered visibly as if with a cold inward despe- ration. “Would you, Ethel, that we should fly away together?” asked Adolphus. “‘ No—I am sure you would not: for it would be ruin for us both. The Earl in his rage would proclaim everything in respect to myself: I should become an outcast— penniless; and though God knows I shrink not from the idea of poverty on my own account, yet for your sake, Ethel—Oh, I could not endure to behold you, my beloved one, pining away in want !” “Think not of me,” answered the Countess; “for I could dare everything. But not for worlds would I have your true position proclaimed !—not for worlds would I have you stripped of your rank —scorned and spurned by those who have hitherto been your equals would kill me!” “You see, Ethel,’ continued Adolphus, “ that what I said is right—and we cannot flee away to- gether. But on the other hand I cannot remain here in the same position as before: the Earl in- sists that I should marry Isabella. Neither can I carry out our original view and go abroad upon the Continent: because there again arises the con- sideration that the Earl insists that I shall espouse Isabella !’? “In a word, then,” rejoined the Countess, speaking in a voice of cold and unnatural calmness, No, no—I could not—it “your position is reduced to these alternatives— | that you must either fly away with me, or remain to espouse Isabella. We have both agreed that the first of these alternatives is impossible ; and I see therefore that you are endeavouring to make up your mind to the latter. Is it not so?” “In the name of heaven, Ethel, what else can fe r THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 277 —— + “~~ -—_—— I do?” asked Adolphus, with passionate vehe- mence. “And Isabella, who loves Christian Ashton ?” said the Countess, still in the same voice as be- fore. “Did you ever for a moment fancy that this childish passion of theirs,’ exclaimed Adolphus, “would eventually come to anything? It was ali very well that you and I avaited ourselves of it for our Own purposes: but could we in sober serious- ness conceive that an Earl’s niece would be allowed to throw herself away upon this penniless youth ?” ‘And you could level your mind to the accept- ance of a bride whose love you know to be bestowed upon another—and which very love you yourself have helped to fan P” «Ethel, you are cruel—too cruel! you are goad-: ing me to desperation!’—and again Adolphus started up from his seat in a wild and excited manner. ‘ Will you tell me,” he demanded, after two or three rapid pacings to and fro,—“ will you tell me, Ethel, what course I am to pursue ?—for as there is a heaven above me, I see but one!” “Pursue it then,” said the Countess: “ pursue it, Adolphus and may you be happy. But I—but I “Oh! now you fill me with wretchedness again! —and the young man literally wrung his hands * anguish. “ No, no—be not unhappy,” responded the Cor tess: and there was still an unnatural coldness her look. “It is useless, Adolphus, to conti this scene: it is most painful for us both.” “Then, by heaven,” ejaculated the young m vehemently, “I will no¢ marry Isabella! I take some step—indeed I will do the very wo. rather than seal the unhappiness of your life!” “And I, Adolphus, would do the very wo also,” rejoined the Countess, “rather than live behold you the husband of another !” Having thus spoken, Ethel abruptly quitted ¢ room: and Adolphus continued to walk to ald { —but no longer in an agitated manner: f yw; with slow pace, sombre countenance, and Be > looks. a — - CHAPTER LII. THE DEED OF A NIGHT. ADOLPHUS and Ethel did not meet agai}! Wu « evening; and this was at the dinner-tc* the Earl and Isabella were present. But almost seem as if they had by tacit co posed their looks in such a manner * to each other should there linger the to remind them of the pair? © occurred a few hours back. of course, suspected n Adolphus had acquair ing revelation in re naturally Ethel’s husband from s had been made derstand why ; and smile as ga look as if she were the same way i’ (C(O) (C 6)(0)©) KS (C(O)