The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 110: what you’re looking at

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SIT you bear me thither, my dearest Charles, as your bridc--and—and—J will be unto thee as a wife in all reerecty,” she added, bending her beauteous head Coyvn upon his bosom, and concealing her blushing reumtsnance there. “BRe it as you say, my sweet Perdita!” he ex- claimed, “And in all things will I do your bidding— for I love and adore you. Yon arean angel of beauty; —your manners are irresistibly winning ;—your voice has the charm of the sweetest melody ;—and your looks would kindle love in the breast of an anchorite.” ‘““Ah! flatterer,” she cried, raising her head, and tapping him gently upon the face. “ Will you always think thus well of me?” “Yes—always, always!” he exclaimed—so com- pletely infatuated was he with the syren. “And now tell me, ms charmer—in which part of London should you wish me to fix upon a beautiful villa for your reception? ” ~The more secluded the spot—the better,” said Perdita. “Ido not wish to form the acquaintance of prying and curious neighbours, nor shall I court the presence of visitors. When you are with me, I shall have no thought but for you: when you are absent, to think of you will be sufficient occupation. I have heard that in the neighbourhood of [olloway there are some delightful villas, newly built——” “WJolloway! It is there—in that neighbourhood— that Markham Place, the mansion where the Prince of Montoni is staying, is situated.” ‘And you are acquainted with that Prince?” said Perdita. “Yes—for in this morning’s newspaper I read, amongst the Fashionable Intelligence, that his Royal Highness had yesterday partaken of a banquet at the mansion of the Earl of Ellingham in Pall Mall.” “Oh! he isa great and illustrious Prince, Perdita!” cried Charles, his cheeks suddenly glowing with ani- mation. “ But he is not so handsome as you, Oharles?” said Perdita, half enquiringly—half playfully. “Fe 1s very handsome, dearest,” was the reply: “but his heroic deeds—his noble disposition—his boundless philanthropy—and his staunch support of the Rights of Man, constitute attractions which, were he ugly as Satan, would render him adorable as an angel.” ““ And have you none of those qualities, my Charles?” demanded Perdita. “Are you not gloriously hand- some?—haye you not a proud title, which you can claim when you will—aye, and which you will claim sbortly ?—and will you not some day be a Peer of the Realm, and able to electrify the senate with your eloquence? For that you would be eloquent, Charles, J am convinced ;—and, oh! what pleasnre—what un- feigned, heart-felt pleasure would j* give your devoted Perdita to occupy even the humblest, most secluded nook in the place where you were delivering vourself of the burning thoughts and splendid ideas——” “Oh! Perdita—do you too hope that I shall yet create for myself a great and a glorious reputation?” demanded the yorng man, surveying his beauteous companion with joy and surprise. “Yes, Charles: for do J not love thee?” she asked, in her dulcet, silvery tone. “Now—oh! now can J understand how the image of the Princess Isabella might chcer and hearten on the once obscure Richard Markham to the accomplish- ment of those great deeds which have placed him on ‘o proud an eminence! Now,” continued the enthu- MYSTERIES OF LONDON. a a a at ae \ 103 siastic, infatuated Charles,—“ now can I comprehend how gallant knights, in the days of chivalry, sould dare every peril—encounter every danger, at the be- hest or command of their ladye-loves! And you, my Perdita,—you shell be as a Princess Isabella in my eyes—you shall be my ladye-love;—and animated by thy smiles, will I yct carve out for myself a glorious career in the world.” “T Jong to sec thee in possession of thy titles, Charles —to behold thee, too, occupying thy place in the IIouse of Peers,” said Perdita. “ But, hark —the clock strikes two; and now Iam compelled to accom- pany my mother into the City-——” : “To her attorney’s?” asked Charles, a sudden fear seizing upon him. “Yes—to her solicitor’s office,” responded Perdita: then, after suffering him to manifest a sentiment of pique and annoyance for a few moments, she threw her arms around his neck, exclaiming, “And so you are very jealous, sir—are you?—and you thought per- haps that I was about to call upon this lawyer to signify to him my readiness to accept the hand of the o!d nobleman who is my mother’s relentless opponent in the suit? But I can assure you that the object of my Visit in that quarter is one which you will no doubt highly approve. It is to inform the legal gen- tleman, with my own lips, that J utterly and totally decline the honour of the proposed union-———” “ Charming—dearest Perdita!” ejaculated Charles, straining her in rapture to his breast. “Inasmuch,” she added, with playful artlessness— or rather with an affectation of that delightful nazvete, — “inasmuch as the solicitor will not belicve that J can possibly resist so splendid an offer; and he is deter- mined to hear the truth from me—and from me only.” “And were he to over-persuade you, Perdita—to impress you with the necessity of yielding in this in- stance-——” began Charles, still labouring under the vague apprehension with which the artful creature sought to inspire him in order to attach him the more completely to her. . “lave you so much to fear on the part of an old nobleman whom I have never seen, as I have on the part of that beautiful Lady Frances who dwells beneath the same roof with you?” enquired Perdita, in the most melting tones of her flute-like voice. ‘‘Pardon me-——pardon me, dearest girl!” cried Charles, embracing her fondly. ‘‘] have no more to pardon in you at present, than you had to forgive in me ere now,” murmured the cuileful woman, placing her warm cheek against his own and allowing their hair to mingle. Tor a few moments she remained with him in this position,—a position that enchanted, thrilled, and in- tuxicated him: then suddenly withdrawing herself from his arms, she said, archly, but impressively, “it now reinains with you, Charles, when our wedding- day is to be celebrated.” * Ah! if you were only as :mpatient as 1!” he ex- claimed. They parted—the young man hastening, as was his wont after these visits, to the park to feast his imagina- tion with a delicious reverie the whole and sole subject of which shoul { be Perdita! A few minutes after he had taken his departure, | Mrs, Fitzhardinge sought ber daughter in the drawing- roun; and the ensuing dialogue took place. “Every thing tends to forward our designs with | respect to this young man,” observed the old woman, (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)