The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

a EY Aen —, a ae eS a ee we oe ee ee = rr ee mm me a re te tn ees ence : sttein the Kuuwledge of a secret that would place her so completely in that mother’s power. And Mrs. Mortimer had accurately read the thoughts and motives that were uppermost in Laura’s mind. For, imagining from the obserya~ tidns made, and the questions put by her mother, that the fact of her marriage with Charles Hatfield was indeed unknown to the old woman, sho re- solved to cherish so important—so precious a secret, Well awaro of the despotic character and arbitrary disposition of her parent, Laura chose to place herself as little as possible at the mercy of one who sought to rule with a rod of iron, and who was un- scrupulous and resolute to a degrecin adopting any means that might establish her sway over those whom she aspired to controul. “ No—no,” thought Laura within herself: “ my secret is safe—J am well ensured of that ;—and my mother shall not penetrate it! The lips of Rosa- lic, who alone could reveal it to her now, are senled by rich bribes. For such a secrot in my mother’s keeping would reduce me to the condition of her slave! I should not dare to contract another marriage; because her exigences would bo backed by a menace of exposure, and a prosecution for bigamy: and by means of the terrorism which she wonld thus exercise over me, [ should become a mere puppet in her lands—not daring to assert a will of my own!” > On tho other hand, Mrs. Mortimer’s thoughts ran thus:—‘Daura belicves me to be ignorant of her marriage, and my dissimulation shall confirm her in that belicf. Yes—I will act so as to lull her into complete security on this point. It would bo of no use to me now to proclaim my knowledge of the fact that the marriage Aas taken place; be- cause, at present, she requires my services, and will be civil and courtcous to me of her own accord. me nn ee ee ee THE MYSTERTES OF RONNGN. ' maid. sd mutual necessity rendered tivin casy to come ro terms and settle their affuirs upon an amitvabso basis. On the one hand, Mrs. Mortimer relied upon her daughter for pecuniary supplies; and this very cir- cumstance prompted her to undertake the journey to London in the hope of finding Torrens, and cx- torting from him the treasure of which, as she be- lieved, he had plundered Percival. The possession of a few thousands of pounds, added to hor know- ledge of Laura’s sceret, would place her in a con- | dition of complete independence ; and that indepen- denco she would labour hard to achieve for herself, But she might fail—and then sho would again be compelled to fall back on the resources of her daughter, Thus, for the present at least, she was in a stato of dependence—and it was by no means EE se ete re wey em ae ee + ee = + —— | certain that her visit to London would change her condition in this respect. On the other hand, Laura was dependent on her mother for aid in carrying out her ambitious views. Ignorant of. the French languago as she was, sho ‘could not hope to succeed by herself alone; and, ° in intrigues which required so much delicacy of management, sho could not rely solely on a lady’s- The assistance of her mother was therefore necessary; for sho reflected that tho astute old woman who had succeeded in inducing Charles Hatfield to accompany her to the lodgings in Suf- | folk-street, could not fatl to lead some wealthy and amorous noble within the influence of her daugh _ ter’s syren-charms in the Rue Monthabor. We have now explained the exact position in which these two designing women were placed with regard to cach other; and we must request our readers to bear in mind all the observations which we have just recorded, inasmuch as they afford a | clue to the motives of many transactions to be here- But when oncol shall havo helped her to a wealthy ' after narrated. and titled husband, and when my ald shall no! For the history of Laura is, as it were, only just longer be required, then sho will re-assort her sway ; Commenced; and the most startling, exciting, and and attempt to thrust me aside as a mere cypher! Surprising incidents of her career havo yet to bo But sho shall find hersolf mistaken; and the secret that I thus treasure up must prove the talisman to give me despotic controul over hersolf, her hus- band, her housechold,—aye, and her purse! Yes— yes: sho may marry now, without any opposition from me, For, whereas in the former case her marriage would indeed have reduced mo to thie condition of a miserable dependant, a now alliance will invest mo with the power of a despot. Ah! daugliter— daughter, you have at length over- reached yourself.” And such was indeed the case; for so well did Mrs. Mortimer play her part of deep dissimulation, that aura felt convinced her secret was safe, and that the circumstance of her marriage was totally unsuspected, And it was as mucl to confirm tho young woman in this belief, as for tho purpose of slyly bantering her, that the mother questioned her as to the point to which her connexion with Charles Hatfield had reached, and astutely placed in juxta- position her daughter’s prudenco on the one land, and voluptuousness of temperament on tho other. Thus Laura was completely duped, whilo secrotly triumphing in the belicf that it was her parent who was deceived! We inust, however, observe, that the two womon, under present circumstances, felt dependent on each other in many and important respects; and this ee es eee ee ee told. She was a woman of whom it may bo well said, “We ne’er shall look upon her like again !” But tho delineation of such a character as this Perdita—or Laura, as we are henceforth to call her —has the advantage of throwing into glorious con- trast the virtues, amenities, and endearing qualities of woman gonorally,—inasmuch as she is a grand and almost uniquo oxception, proving the rule which asserts the excellont qualities of ler sex, re P CHAPTER CLVI. THE UALF-BROTHERS. It was about five o’clock in tho evening of the second day after the incidents just related, that tho Earl of Etiingham received a note, the address cf which was written in a feigned hand, and with the word “ private ” marked in the corner. The messenger, who left it at the mansion in Fati-mall, had departed immediately his errand was discharged, and without waiting for any reply. Lord Ellingham happened to be alone in the library when the missive was placed in his hands, and on opening it he rccognised the writing of bis half-brother; for the address only was disguisod—~a precaution adopted in caso the IJetter should bes ' —_ a ee) ~ _ -_——_ ee t ' — wen eee a een ae ws (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)