The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 231: what you’re looking at

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nd ee ere . 226 TITHE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. n dozen words, and even thoso on common topics, Laura novertheless saw enough of him to bo con- vinced that his manners were of polished clegance, and that his disposition was frank and unassuming. It was not therefore without emotions of scerct pleasure that shoheard herself thus addressed by the professor of music :— “Miss Mortimer, his lordship, and myself, are old acquaintances, and he permits me to call him my friend, Jiis lordship will honour my humblo abode with his presence, to-morrow, evening: there will be a musical soirée of the same unpre- tending kind as that which you yourself graced with your company the evening beforo last. . My wife will doubtless send you the formal card; but may I in a less ceremonial fashion, solicit you to favour us with your presonco ?”* Lanra signified tho pleasure sheshould experience in accepting the invitation; and all the time sho was listening to the professor and replying to him, she had tho agrecable consciousness that tho mar- quis was gazing upon her with an admiration which he could not repress. She however affected not to he in the slightest degree aware that sho was under- going such an impassioned survey; and when she turned towards his lordship to make the parting bow, it was with tho formal reserve and yet grace- ful dignity of a Indy to whom a stranger has only just becn Introduced. Tho carriage rolled on in ono direction—the horse- men pursued thelr way in another ;—and whilo the Marquis of Dolmour was putting innumerable questions to his frlend relative to the hourt whom they had thus met, Laura was on her sido resolving that Rosalie should without delay institute all pos- siblo inquiries respecting tho position, fortune, and character of that nobleman. Ws should here remind the reader that the pro- | .f:ssor of music was a man eminent in his special | | | | —— —----— —— eprere, of high respectability, and great moral worth; and» Moreover, ho was a native of a country where tale Ht is prized and looked up to, instead of bois, more ly tolerated and looked down upon. Ttis not, thereyore, extraordinary if we find him Moving in the best society, and having JS entertainments at- tended by the elite of the residents or visitors in the gay city of Paris. On her return home to her splendid apartments in the Rao Monthabor, Laura was immediately waited upon by her Iady's-maid ; and while the mis- tress was changing her attire in preparation for dinner, the dependant explained the means by which she had induced Charles Hatfield and the two Ita- lian officers in the suite of the Grand Duke to repair to the Champs Elysées in company, and at the hour specified by Laura. “When you first mentioned your desire to me this morning’ mademoteelle,” bogan Rosalic, “I must con- fess that I was somowhat embarrassed how to accom: plish the scheme; although I did not despair. But when I saw tho paragraph in the paper, and ascer- tained the hotel at which the Grand Duke and his suite had taken up their temporary abode, I snd- denly remembered that a day or two ago I meta young woman who had formerly been my fellow- servant, and that she was now filling a situation in that very hotel. This circumstance inspired me with a hope of success; and we Frenchwomen look upon an intrigue as being as good as carried suc- cessfully out, when it affords a hope to encourago us. (herofore did I promise you so confidently ; jand I lost no time in proceeding to the hotel. I soon found my friend, who isa chamber-maid there ; and I told her just sufficient—without, however, mentioning your name or evon alluding to you, mademoiselle—to induce her to afford me her as- sistance. Some of the officors of the Grand Duke’s euite wero lounging in the court-yard of the hotel atthe time; and my friend pointed them out to me one by one, naming each as she proceeded. I re- solved to choose the two youngest and handsomest to be Mr. Charles Hatfiold’s companions, mademoi- selle; because,” continued Rosalie, with an arch smile, “I tolerably well understood the entire naturo of tho project which you had in contem- plation.” - “You are marvellously sharp-witted and keen- sighted, Rosalie,’ said aura, laughing good- humouredly. ‘But pray proceed. What step did you adopt next, after having thus passed the Grand Duke’s suite in areview of whichthey were however unconscious ¢” “T must confess, mademotselle,” resumed Rosalie, “that I was somewhat puzzled Low toact. But suddenly an idea struck me; and, however ridicu- lous the plan may now appear tu you, your own lips ‘an proclaim whother it succceded or not. In fact, Tealeulated upon the romantic disposition which the Italians are known to possess; and I also re- flected that as Mr. Charles Hatficld, whom I lke- Wiso saw at tho hotel (though ho saw not me) ap- peared pensive and thoughtful, ho wonld embark in any adveuturo that promised to wean his thoughts from their melancholy mood, and that offered some excitement of a novel character. I accordingly penned a note, addressed to Mr. Charlies Hatfield, Captain Barthelma, and Lientonant Di Ponta a “Wheat is the name of tho taller and handsomer of the two officers who accompanied Charies?” asked Laura, with a slight kindling of sensual fecling as she recalled to.mind tho pleasing features of the Italian clo had pickea’ "9 her parasol, and with whom she had exchanged the few compiimendnry observations already recorded. “That one is Captain Barthelma,” answered Nosnlic. “Proceed,” said Laura. “You wero telling me tliat rou penned a note ——” “To the three gentlemen collectively,” added the lady’s-maid;— and, as nearly as I can remember, the contents ran thus:—' To Mr. Charles Hatfield, Captain Barthelma, and Lieutenant Di Ponta, an unhappy Spanish refugee ventures to address him- self, having certain excellent reasons for being well aware that they will not refuso to listen to his sad tale, and interest themselves in his behalf. But as he isan object of suspicion to tho French govern- ment, ho dares not make his appearanco at the hotel where a prince, who is known to be the re- dresser of wrongs, has taken up his abode. Ho will therefore walk this afternoon, from four to five, on tho right hand of the central avenue of the Champs Elysees; and if the three gentlemén to whom he now addresses his humble but earnest supplication, will bo at the placo and timo ap,7 pointed, the unhappy writer of this petition will make himself known to them—will explain his business frankly—and will indicate the means by which hoe can be restored to wealth and happiness, Those means consist in ono word which it will bo for His Sovereign Highness tho Grand Duke to speak, and which can only bo spcken at the ingtl EConnicloooks (SO)