The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

” THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “Princess,” continued Redcliffe, “allusion has been made more than once during our interview, to those few words which I let drop from my lips when I knelt at your feet by the side of the marble fountain. To what precise extent the re- yelation contained in those words might have reached, I have no accurate remembrance: my thoughts were full of wildness at the time—my brain was distracted—the scene itself, when looked back upon, appears to be enveloped in a sort of musty dreaminess. However, that I did make some avowal—that I did let fall something in that unguarded moment—I recollect full well. I have now a request to make 2 “You need not give utterance to it,” responded the Princess: ‘I can read your thoughts. You desire that the seal of secrecy shall remain upon my lips———Good heavens, Clement! do you think that I would betray a syllable that was calculated to do you an injury ?” <i “And after that assurance,” exclaimed Red- eliffe, “I dare not—-I must not prove altoge- ther ungrateful. Listen to me, Indora. You comprehend sufficient from those words which I let fall—and the necessity of keeping which in- violably secret you seem fully to understand—that my presence in England is connected with a matter of vital importance to myself. Yes—I have a specific object to accomplish; and to that must all my thoughts and all my energies be devoted. It may be achieved quickly; or it may take years to be worked out heaven alone can tell! But that same heaven ean by its own inscrutable ways further my objects and conduct them to a speedy and a successful issue. Until that issue be accom- plished, I am not master of my own actions—I am not even able to dispose of myself. But this is what I have to say, Indora—that if when my purpose is achieved, and if circumstances should leave, me a free agent, then will I be mindful of this devoted love of your’s—and then you shall not vainly implore at my feet!” “Qh, is this possible?’ exclaimed the de- lighted Princess: and sinking upon her knees, she took Redeliffe’s hand, pressing it in fervour to her lips. “Rise, Indora—rise! This suppliant posture must not be assumed to me!” . “But you have given me hope—I am no longer miserable I am happy Oh, I am joyously happy !”—and she sprang up to her feet, her mag- nificent countenance radiant with the altered feelings that were thus suddenly excited in her soul. . “Cherish that hope if you will, Indora,”’ said the Englishman,—“ cherish it if it will make you happy—and I swear to you that if circumstances permit, it shall be fulfilled! But until that time, think not to behold me again.” “Oh! I can endure separation so long as there is hope,” exclaimed the Princess, in a tone of gush- ing enthusiasm. “I have waited so long to receive from your lips a single syllable of hope, that I can wait longer yet fcr that hope’s realization. But tell me you say when the time shall come are you confident that it wil? come sooner or later P” “ Yes—it will come,” answered Redecliffe,—* it. will come, rest assured!—or there would be no justice in heaven itself !” 91 With these’ words he abruptly quitted the room; and Indora, sinking upon the ottcman, almost overcome with the joyousness of her feel- . ings, murmured to herself, “ There is hope! there is hope !” Notwithstanding the violent agitation which Clement Redcliffe had experienced. towards the close of this interview, the instant the door of the drawing-room shut behind him, he regained his habitual air of mournful gravity: so that it would have been impossible for any observer to gather from his looks a single scintillation of what had been passing. He descended the staircase, and found Sagoonah waiting in the hall to afford him egress. He put on his cloak—took up his hat— and was turning towards the door with an abrupt- ness of movement which he often unconsciously displayed,—when again he caught the eyes of the Hindoo woman fixed upon him with the strange burning brightness of their regards. He stopped short instinctively : those eyes were instantaneously veiled by their long jetty fringes—the intenseness of the spell which had for a moment riveted him, was thus as suddenly withdrawn—and in silence he hurried forth from Shrubbery Villa. But as he sped along the bye-lane leading to the main road, he again felt as if he were under the incompre- hensible spell-lke influence of Sagoonah’s haunting eyes. The Hindoo woman, having closed the front door behind Mr. Redcliffe, ascended the stairs, and glided into the drawing-room with her wonted noiseless step. Sinking upon her knees at the feet of the Princess, she looked up into her coun- tenance—and at once read there an answer to the question which, as a slave, she scarcely dared ask. For an instant Sagoonah’s eyes flashed brightly; and then they were cast down again. “JT understand you, my faithful dependant,” said Indora, passing her beautifully modelled hand caressingly over the Hindoo woman’s jet black hair, so smoothly brushed. “The kind interest you feel in me renders you impatient to know the result. You have partially read it on my features —and your eyes glistened with a sensation of joy. Yes, Sagoonah—I am no longer in a state of un- certainty—I am permitted to hope !”’ The Hindoo woman took the Princess’s hand, and raised it to her lips. At the same time Indora felt a burning tear-drop fall upon that hand; and again .caressing the dependant, she said in a kind soothing voice, “You weep for joy, my faithful Sagoonah—you weep for joy!—and 1 love you for this-fresh evidence of your devoted affection.” Sagoonah kissed her mistress’s hand once more; and slowly rising from her kneeling posture, she retreated to a little distance,—her tall symmetrical shape drawn up as usual, so that it displayed the beautiful bend of the back, the straightness of all © the limbs, and the sculptural modelling of all the contours. Her countenance was inclined (as was its wont when she was in that position) towards her bosom; and she remained motionless as a statue. : “Sagoonah,” said .the Princess, after a long pause, during which she reflected profoundly, “tell Mark to come to me at once.” The dependant quitted the room; and in a few minutes a man-servant made his appearance. He (c©)