The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

Ss sega pin cae cnt a e R Ce a a AA LS IE 120 THE MYSTERIES Ok UONDON, a has Drougnt over to England her daughter, whom re- port mentions as an angel of beauty and a demon in profligacy —~ “My God! Mr, Villiers—save Charles—save my Charles from these incarnate fiends!” cried Mr. Hat- field. “Or I myself——” And he was rushing to the door of the library, when the Marl held him back, saying, “No, Thomas—you must not go in this excited state: let Villiers take the affair in hand.” Mr. Hatfield fell back into a seat, a prey to the most painful—the most agonising emotions; while Clarence hurriedly departed to execute the commission en- trusted to him, The Earl now addressed himself to the task of con- soling his unfortunate brother-in-law ;—and he had just succeeded in inducing Mr. Uatfield to assume as composed a demeanour as possible, preparatory to their joint appearance at the breakfast-table, when Clarence Villiers rushed into the room. Not a quarter of an hour had elapsed since his de- parture;—and this speedy return, together with his agitated manner, raised new alarms in the breasts of the Enrl and Mr. Hatfield. “They are gone—fled~all three together!” cried Villiers, throwing himself exhausted on an ottoman, and panting for breath. “Gone!’’ repeated the miserable father, surveying Clarence with eyes that stared wildly and unnaturally. “Yes—gone!” said Villiers. “Ten minutes before I reached Suffolk Street, my aunt, her daughter, and Mr. Charles departed in a post-chaise, which had been sent for apparently in consequence of some sudden plan: for the people of the house were previously onacquainted with the intention of their lodgers thus to leave so abruptly.” « Bnt where was the chaise hired? and which road has it taken?” demanded Mr. Hatfield, now manifest- ing an energy and determination that proved his readiness to meet the emergency und adopt measures to pursue the fugitives. “J sought for that information in vain,” returned Clarence Villiers. “It appears that my aunt herself went out to order the post-chaise; and that care was taken not to allow the people of the house any oppor- tunity to converse with the post-boys. The rent and other liabilities were all duly paid; and the landlady of the lodgings accordingly makes no complaint of the women who have quitted her abode.” * What course do you intend to adopt?” hastily demanded the Earl, tuming to his half-brother. “Order me your best horse to be saddled forth- with,” said Mr. Hatfield ; “and I will proceed in pursuit of the runaways. “Tis ten to one that I will obtain some trace ef them. Perhaps Mr. Villiers will likewise mount horse, and take the northern road.” “While I shall do the same, and pursue a westerly direction,” observed the Karl. ‘Good: for it was my intention to choose the route ¢owards Dover,’ added Mr. Hatfield. “And now one word more, Arthur,” he continued, the moment Vil- siers had Ieft the room to give the necessary orders respecting the horses: “as it is probable that we may recover and reclaim my self-willed son—and as, in that case, penitence on his part might induce you to forgive this absurd freak, so that the result may yet be favourable to our nearest and dearest wishes,— under all these circumstances, I say, suffer not Frances to Jearn aught disparaging to his character.” “T understand you, Thomas,’ exclaimed the Ear), — ee ee te 0 ree et re we eee ee ee ee wringing his half-brother’s hand in token of cordia, assent to this proposition. “I will even speak as warily and cautiously as I mav to my wife;—while, on your side——” “Oh! I must tell overy thing to Georgiana,” said Mr. atfield: “suspense and uncertainty would be intolerable to her. I shall now seek her for the pur- pose of making a hasty but most sad communication : and then away in pursuit of the ingrate!” A quarter of an hour afterwards, the Varl of Lilling- ham, Mr. Hatfield, and Clarence Villiers—all three equipped for their journcys—repaired to the noble- man’s stables in the immediate vicinity of the man- sion;—-and thence they speedily issued forth, well mounted, and each taking a separate direction, CHAPTER CXLI. TUL PLIGHT. Uron breaking away from the presence of his father, in the manner already described, Charles Hatfield hurried to the louse in Suffolk Street ; and bursting into the room where Mrs, Vitzhardinge and Perdita were seated at breakfast, he exclaimed, “1 have at length thrown off all allegiance to my parents ;-— and I must now act wholly and solely for my own interests.” “Not altogether for your own, Charles—dear Charles,” said Perdita, fixing upon him a plaintive and half-reproachful look, which made her appear ravishingly beautiful in his eyes. “No—not altogether for myself will I act,” he cried, embracing her tenderly: © but for thee alsu, my angel—yes, for thee whom 1 Jove—udore—worship 1” *“ What has occurred this morning to render your lordship thus agitated?” enquired Mrs, Fitzhardinge. “Oh! a quarrel with my father,” exclaimed Charles, who, in the enthusiasm of his blind devotion to Perdita, had forgotten the old woman's presence. ‘IIe has played the part of a spy upon me—he has followed me to your dour—he knows that I visit you —and he will doubtless endeavour to cause, a breach between us?” “ Let us depart hence—now—at a moment's warn- ing l” cried Perdita. “ We have ample funds for the purpose. Last night a money-lender discounted your note, Charles: and I have the proceeds safe in my own heeping.” “Fortune favours a3, then!” said the infatuated young man. “ Yes—we will depart without delay: we Will hasten to some retired place where we can de- liberate, fearless of interruption, on the course which it will now be necessary for me to pursue.” J will hasten to order a post-chaise,” observed Mrs, Fitzhardinge. “ This task had better be performed by myself—so that we may leave behind us no trace of the route we shall have taken.” “Thanks—a thousand thanks, my dear madam!” cried Charles: then. when the old woman had left the room, he caught Perdita in his arms and pressing hea fondly to his bosom, said, “ My parents are resolved te force me into a marriage with Lady Frances Elling: ham—they would separate ine from you-——” “Oh! Charles—were such a destiny in store for me,” said Perdita, affecting to be melted to tears. “ should not be able to bear up against the misfortune | For on you are all wy hopes now fixed.—to you hay: EConnicloooks (CO)