The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 276: what you’re looking at

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

<a + we _- OO ee ee ma mmm a rr se ’ ss . - Saat —— <—eee 274 THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. ’ 2 es = (ee vO OO et ; journals which were upon the table, but which, up to that moment, had been carefully kept from Georgina’s sight, and from which she read paragraph after para- graph: “ A marriage, we understand, is on the tapis between _ the daughter of a noble marquis anda right reverend | prelate.” Then lower down: “The Bishop of Tythetail is, we believe, the enly unmarried prelate on the bench, It was to him that the paragraph in another part of our paper alluded, and the lovely Lady Georgina Sourton,” Poor Lady Georgina clasped her hands in egony. The marchioness took up another paper and read: “The Bishop of Tythetail and bis intended bride appeared for the first time in public together at Lady Berkeley’s party since the public announcement of their approaching union. The bride elect looked all consciousness. We understand that his majesty has expressed a wish for the speedy celebration of the interesting nuptials, as he does not wish that the members of the hierarchy should be unmarried,” “You see,” said her mother, * how you have com- mitted yourself,” “There is yet another,” resumed Lady Heartley,. “*The house of the new prelate, in St, James’s Square, is a perfect bijou. His lerdship’s orders fer plate and jewels have caused much astonishment in quarters where it was not known that, previous to his eleya- tion to the episcopal bench, he was one of the richest commoners in England, We understand that his union with the charming Lady Georgina Sourton ig to take place within a month,’ ” The agitated girl burst into tears. The t of what must be Burley’s feclings crossed her mind, and she wept bitterly. “‘ My dear Georgina,” said her aunt, * pray be calm; there is, I can assure you, nothing so very in marriage, unless it’s an indiscreet one,” “ Nothing,” added her mother, “ At least your acquaintance, Miss Fitzgibbon, does not think so,’’ continued Lady Heartley: “she was married last week to your old friend Burley.” “Impossible!” exclaimed the distracted girl; “I will not believe it. You have discovered my love for Burley, and have taken this unworthy means to ruin him in my esteem. He is not married; he is engaged to me!” With an air of well-affected commiseration, her mother laid the Gazette before her. It contained the -avnouncement of the marriage of Burley and Miss Fitzgibbon —of course a forgery. Lady Georgina fainted upon reading it, and was et once conveyed to her chamber. “I fear we have gone too far,” said the marchioness, her maternal feelings at last moved by the distress of her only child. “1 did not dream that her attach- ment to Burley was sostrong. I must undeceive her. I cannot bear to see her unhappy.” “ Don’t be weak and foolish,” said Lady Heartley. “She will die.” “Nothing of the kind,” resumed the worldly- minded woman; “she evidently believes the well- contrived fabrication of her lover’s marriage; and as for breaking her heart, hearts are not made of such brittle materials. No, no, my dear marchioness; hearts may do very well in romance or a play, but such things are out of nature in real life.” “T almost think you are right.” “Tam sure I am. I know Georgina’s principles well, She will feel it a duty to root out from her ee = _— bought | of heart—you see I feel not the common error, and use the word myself—all regard for Burley; and what means can be so effectual as by marrying another? Her natural pride, too, will assist her. Once married, the discovery of our plot will be of little com= sequence. She will be resigned to her fate when she | koows that it is irremediable.” The weak mother yielded her better feelings to the persuasions of the heartless Lady Heartley, comfort- ing herself that, in the degeit she was practising upon her child, she was performing @ parent’s daty—secur- | — ing her a brilliant and wealthy marriage. q The marquis was informed of the success of the plot as d the deception of Burley’s marriage, which poor Lady Georgina implicitly believed. He congra- tulated himself upon his foresight in planning it; and, indeed, so confident was he of euccess, that he returned @ written acceptance of the prelate’s offer, with an | intimation that his daughter was too unwell to receive — him for some days, but that he should be happy Le see him. Vitawerald smiled as he reed the invitation. The plea of indisposition did not blind him, but he felt too much interested in the conclusion of the engagement to scan too curiously the means by which it should be achieved, provided tah he bimsell tone 00 Rome share in it. Still his mind was not entirely free from anxiety. The remembrance of his early love, and seep he, rious loss, pressed heavily upon him; and he could not — but observe how different was the passion he had | entertained towards the unhappy Ellen, to the inte- rested one which led him to seek the unwilling hand Lady Georgina. “Had but my boy been spared,” he murmured to | himself, ** this sacrifice need not have been; but the | destiny of my race is in my hands, and, ic falter. I must have an heir to perpetuate my unwon honours, and hand down my name,” | Fall of this resolution, he gaye orders to his nume- | rous and obsequious tradesmen to have his Liem, mansion in fit order to receive his bride within a month, a It was an invariable rule with the prelate not to | permit apy private engagement to interfere with his | duty in the House of Peers. The debate on the very | evening on which he received the marquis’s letter — turned on the war then raging, the burdens on which were beginning to be felt by the people. motion was made unfavourable to the ministry, and the speeches of the opposition were so fierce that the - premier more than once mentally counted the number © of proxies he had in his pocket; for he felt considera~ |. ble anxiety for the result. Nor was that anxiety med sened when the Bishop of Tythetail arose to the house. It wes the first time he had spoken, at with his usual tact, he had chosen the oceasion w for he was perfectly master of the subject. The p - mier’s fears were soon allayed by the prelate’s throws: ing the whole weight of his eloquence and research the side of ministers; and which, from the extent of his information and the accuracy of his details, duced a favourable impression. The hostile motion | was negatived. ‘“* Well, my lord,” exclaimed the Marquis of Sot ton to the minister, as they were leaving the he «what think you of the bishop’s maiden 24 right sort, I should say——eh 2” oat y “The most brilliant I have heard for many | within these walls,” framklye(e) ik (e000 42)" —_ rs =o oe | k 3