The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 381: what you’re looking at

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

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF LONDON LIFE 379 , in familinn Co sitting together in familiar conversation. Ladies, you knew, are subject to nervous attacks, Comes, my love,” he added, trying to look affectionately at her, “let me conduct you. to your boudoir; you will be had decided upon what steps she should take; “ but saloons of the Count de Villa and more crowded than usual. an unusual number of attend- cold stealthy-looking personage, to Dave taken an absolute command over the 46 was the tradesman who had so plied the extravagant banquets nightly set before the guests. The creditors of the Count de Villa _ Wei at last tired of waiting for their money. They had been fed with promises and, put off, till they would neither wait nor be fed with. promises, any longer, and the unusual attendants which the visitors remarked were 0 cers put in possession by the creditors, who, at Paulo’s entreaties, had resolved to ‘Tisk one night more, in the hope that his ill-fortune | _Would turn, and that he would be enabled to pay at least a part of the demands made upon him. “ You persist in keeping your diamonds, then ?” ad the count as he saw his supposed countess ‘enter the saloon, elegantly dressed, but without g ‘ yewel of any kind upon her person, ve I do.” '_ “And you will suffer the seizure to be made if the bank fails 2” “T will.” ing-room. But perhaps you wil) fetch me my eau-de- Cologne—you will find it on the console,” To have refused would have provoked an explana- tien, which, like most bullies, Paulo feared; and muttering curses upon her presence of mind, which had bafilad him, he hastily left the apartment. “Ohevalier,” said the lady to the young officer, “give me your arm to the balcony. I shall breathe more freely there, for really the heat of this small .toom is growing intolerable,” _ The request of the fair hostess was eagerly com- plied with, and the envied soldier conducted her to a * You are better how, countess,” he observed, ten- derly pressing her hand. “Hear me,” whispered the lady. “You have a manly heart, and, I believe, a generous nature, Will you serve me in the strange position in which I am placed ?” “ With my life,” . “T have but few moments to confide in you, for De . Villa will soon return, Have a carriage ready at midnight on the Boulevards,” “T will.” “And give this tablet”—she teok & small ivory one from her bosom— to the English Stranger, Wijl- mott,’? “What!” said the yeung man, “make me the in- strument of another’s happiness!—raige my hopes, to crush them go cruelly! This exceeds even the ee of woman —there ig something fiendlike in it ” “Do you think me capable of falsehoed?” de- manded the lady, fixing her dark, lustrous eyes upon py though she would read his very sonl, r 79 0.”” “ Believe me, then, when I swear that I never con- Bounce you by your real name and title. IfI go ‘to prison you shall share it with me.” “You dare not!’ replied the fair Italian, haughtily, “You have not the courage to brave the scaffold with 'me, for the ungenerous are always cowards, You ‘tremble at the fear of death, and in the ignominy of your nature would prefer the galleys—nay, the deepest dungeon at St. Michael—to the peaceful slumber of the ve,” ‘ one overcome by rage at the sarcasm, the truth ‘of which made it doubly severe, seized her by the ge : i : & _ | mature was roused at the indignity, } : versed with Wilmott since his first visit h d |. “Release me,” she exclaimed, “orl will appeal to, neither expect nor wish to speak with him te rg ‘| the company for protection, _, 18 he not to be the companion of your flight?” *This way,” he muttered, hoarsely, endeayo ‘| at the sams time to forca her, “This way; to yo cabinet. We will settle eur dispute there,’ * No,”? “ Whe then?” ** You, on one condition,” “Name it,” said the enraptured soldier, “ and if if you are men!” ‘human skill or courage can accomplish it, my hap. ‘Silence! On!’ Despite his threat, the indignant woman, now, thousand times, but for the rospect of @ smile from _thoroughly roused, repeated her screams. In amiyou. Trust me: « life of tae shall repay your instant the foldiag doors which opened from the TOOMM |. generous confidence in my faith and honour; not of _ where they were sitting into the grand saloon wh ) devotion only, but ef love, Name your condition.” flung aside, A sad expression clouded for a moment the features | . of the Italian, as she listened to the impaasi declaration of the young man, and felt how bitterly “Heavens, countess, what is the matter?” de. manded a young officer of carbineers, whe had been. one of her hopeless admirers, « What can have hap- _ pened ?” “ Name your condition,” he repeated, “Something very terrible,” said Paulo, forcing a| « That I direct our route.” and trying to appear unconcerned ;“‘aspiderfell! « Where you will,” our Trom the cornice upon her shoulder while we were & glance so full of passion and desi required his protection, (CO)