The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 67: 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. minated, Lord Walsingham exchanged with her a adore, ameter returned to the centre at the same time that the conversation passed between the earl and Celestine had need ene the incident we have recorded. During the more general topics of discussion that Were now introduced, the play of fancy and genial warmth of feeling that Celestine exhibited aided to in the mind of Lord Walsingham still stronger of admiration; and as he kept his eyes wha lovely being that had thus infatuated . he saw, or fancied that he saw, in the encouraging | tone with which she responded to his advances, an | assurance that his attentions were not unfavourably The entrance of the footman with an announcement that the Earl of Winterton’s carriage was in readiness ae the departure of that nobleman, but not before had acknowledged the interest Celestine had created, Sr aiimidioe thal dartag che beet remainder of the operatic season he should take every opportunity of her resentations, As soon as the absence of the earl freed him from a restraint he had felt to be somewhat embarrassing, } the attentions of Lord Walsingham became more marked. He had become enamoured of her form from the first moment they had met, and a further acquaintance was only necessary to confirm the growth of that passion which had been so suddenly but so rooted in his breast, Besides the attachment | with which she had inspired him, a still more powerful motive urged him at the same time to possess the fas- | cinating by whom he had been so completely | infatuated. whis the glory of the triumph, if he could be the first to secure the victory over that youthful beauty who had emerged like a bright star upon the horizon of his existence, and who had drawn all the loungers of the opera into the train of her had these thoughts darted through his nd he determined to spare no effort to make py wish having been expressed by Celestine to see extent of the grounds that surrounded the man- sion, Lord Walsingham begged to be allowed the pri. vilege of becoming their escort; and they accordingly him into the garden, where the flowers, fountains, and statues, furnished an inexhaustible variety of topics for their discourse. The admiration avowed by Celestine at these proofs of his lordship’s taste and judicious expenditure he heard with plea- satisfaction, as he hoped the congeniality of thus indicated would prove the forerunner of a still ene union of sympathies. At the extremity of one of the gravelled walks leading towards the grove of elms was an alcove, thickly interlaced with leaves, and so overspread with sag he ‘clematis, that it seemed, in the sunlight say | Pie the tender stems and fragrant blos- 3 the very bower where the vows of love find, utterance, “Your lordship has assuredly endeavoured, by this profusion of embellishments, to delude the senses of i lanl Celestine; “ were I not convinced the real source to which I should ascribe this com- rE F t Binetion of the horticultural and the statuesque, I might y fancy myself traversing the paths of garden, and that this exquisite arbour formed the abode of the fairy owner.” “J am an ardent worshipper of beauty, made- moiselle,” rejoined the nobleman, looking earnestly 59 into her full and lustrous eyes; “and I devote myself with zeal to the task of circling around me those objects of loveliness which are the chief pleasures of my life. I may now, however,” he added, with a respectful bow, “ consider myself singularly fortunate in having my mansion graced by the presence of one beautiful image that far surpasses every other of which it can boast.” “Your lordship must find true enjoyment in thus patronising art,” said Celestine, anxious to avoid acknowledging the compliment he had bestowed, by appearing not to understand it; “this is a complete picture,” “Tt would be a paradise to me had I one whom I loved to share with me its delights,” sighed her com- panion, regretfully. “And has your lordship never yet found one s0 deserving of your regard?” said Celestine, in an in- quiring tone. “ Never one to whom I could yield my heart with- out reserve,” said Walsingham, “ until——” “ When?” cried the danseuse, finding he paused, as if waiting to be questioned. “Until I saw you,” exclaimed the nobleman, seizing her hand with earnestness, and impressing on it ap ardent kiss before it could be withdrawn, “Your lordship, I am not used to this language; your conduct is too precipitate—it is not warranted by the circumstances under which we have met; it ought not to have been expected from the shortness of our acquaintance,” remonstrated Celestine, striving to dis - engage the hand which her impassioned admirer still clasped tightly in his own, “ Hear me, Celestine,” spoke Walsingham, in a low but deeply impressive voice: “ our acquaintance is not so brief as you believe. I have long watched you with the feelings of an ardent lover, though you knew it not; and it was with the hope that we should meet as we have met to day, that I last night avoided seeing you under the more deceptive influences of your pro- fession. I love you, have loved you, and shall love you still, even though you should cruelly reject the heart I offer.” “ Surely, my lord, you are not in earnest,” cried the danseuse, colouring deeply at the warmth with which she was addressed, and perplexed by the unexpected avowal; “I came here as the friend of Madame Ro~ mani, who——” “Who has kindly fulfilled her promise of intro- | ducing you to me,” interrupted the patrician, “For- | give the innocent stratagem that has been the means of affording me so much happiness, and tell me that I may at least hope for some requital of an affection which has not been the less sincere for having hitherto been cherished in secret and in silence,” ; “Really, your lordship has taken me so much by surprise,” said the lovely girl, whose charms were heightened by the blushes to which her confusion gave rise, “that I must have time to reflect upon and con- sider the nature of a proposal for which 1 was so utterly unprepared.” “And may I hope, then, that I am not indifferent to you?” appealed the nobleman, throwing the utmost fervour into his look and tone; “ may | flatter myself that you will respond to a passion that has now broken through the bounds of concealment ?” “Lord Walsingham, I will be candid with you,” answered Celestine, drawing up her fine figure to its full proportions, and speaking in a firm, decisive strain; “the distinguished position you occupy, and the deference to family connections which you are CORNIECLOO cS (E() eee. —$<$<$OEO _— § ne,