The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 233: what you’re looking at

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238 VK MYSTERIES OF LONDON, of so humble a being as Iam could prove avail- able.” ‘‘ Those services may be made available this very evening,” said Laura, a voluptuous glow spreading over her fine countenance, while her eyes became soft and melting in expression, “ You must aid me, Rosalie, in gratifying an ardont longing which has sprung up within my bosom during the last few minutes, and which I may vainly struggle to sub- due. But the intrigue requires so much delicate management ——-” , “IT can anticipate all you would say, mademai- celle,’ interrupted Rosalie: then,in a significant tono, she added, “ Captain Barthelma is decidedly ono of the hundsomest men I ever saw in my life.” “You have conjectured rightly,” said Taura; “ you have penoctrated my thoughts! Can you—will vou serve mo in tho gratification of this caprico of mine? But, remember—I must not bo compro- mised in respect to a living soul save Barthelma and yourself,” ‘You know, mademorselle, that you can trust to my fidelity, my sagacity, and my prudence,” said Rosalic. “At whit hour shall tho handsome Italian visit you ?” “At nine—this ovening,” answered Laura: then referring to her watch, slice added, “It is already six —and you have plenty of work upon your hands !” “Twill neglect nothing,” observed tho lady’s-maid, in a tone of confidence. “ Would it not be prudont to sond tho cook out of the way for tho evening? For as the men-sorvants are on board-wages and sloep olsawhere, and the cook is thoreforo tha only dependant who could possibly observe your proceed- ings, mademoisells ——" “J leavo all this to you, Rosalie,” interrupted Laura;—“and now wo havo nothing more to say to each other for the present. Order the dinner to be serrod up at once—and then must you hasten to fulfilthe commissions with which you are charged.” Having thus given her parting instructions, Laura repaired to the dining-room, where an clegant repast was spcecdily spread upon tho table; and a glass of sparkling champagno soon enhanced the brilliancy of the voluptuous woman's cyes, and heightened the rich glow that suffused her countenance, When the meal was over, a choico dessert was served up; and Laura was now left alone. Sho was almost sorry that sho liad gone so far in respect to the intrigue which was to bring tho hand- some Castelcicalan to her arms: sho had admitted Rosalie too deeply into her confidonce—placed her- self too completely in tho power of lier dependant. Even while sho was conversing with tho wily Frenchwoman, she perccived and felt all this ;~but her sensuality triumphed over her prudenceo—her lascivious temperament carried her on with a force which sho conld not resist, much less subdue. “And, after all,” sho now reasoned to horsclf, “wherefore should I not follow my inclinations in this respect? I am freo to act according to the impulse of my passions and the prompting of my desires, Tho night that I passed with Charles— that one night of love and bliss—has revived those ardent longings, those burning thoughts that de- mand gratification. Besides, Rosalie will bo trust- worthy so long as she is well paid; and I shall tako zaro to keep her purse well filled. Sooner or later Bho must have obtained a complete insight into my character: why not, then, at once as well as here after’ And the more firmly ] bind her to my inte- rests, the less shall I need tho services of my crafty, Selfish old mother. Would thas I could manage my affairs and execute my plans without my parent’s aid altogether! And who knows but that even this consummation may be reached? Something tolls me that the Marquis of Delmour and I shall yet be more intimately acquainted. Ifo is old—but that is of littleconsequence. Wealth and a proud posi- ¢ion are my aims—andI caro not by what means they are acquired. Oh! the happiness of possessing such beauty as that wherewith I am endowed,—a beauty which can never fail to crown mo with triumph in all my schomes—in all my projects!” ~ She now regarded her watch, and discovered that it was eight o’clock, “In another hour ho will be here,’ she thought within horself; and her bosom heaved roluptuously. “Yes—in another hour that handsome Italian will bo in my presonce—at least, if Rosalio fulfil her task with her wonted sagacity and prudenco, What will he think of me? Oh! lot him ontertain any opinion that he may: I will bind him to secrosy by the most solemn oaths—and 1 read enough in his countenance to convince mo that he isa man of hononr !” In this strain did tho lovely but wanton creaturo pursue hor reflections, until it was nearly nino o'clock. She then rose from her seat, and ropaired to tho kitchen, which was on the samo floor as hor suite of npartments. Tho cook was not thero; and Laura was conscquontly satisfied that Rosalio had not forgotten the precaution horself had suggested. Lhe syren now proceeded to tho drawing-room, Where with her own fair hands she arranged wine, fruits, and cakes upon the table. She then Geow tho curtains over the window, lighted the wax candles upon tho mantel, and scattered drops of delicious perfume upon the carpet and the drapery. Scarcely were these preparations completed, When tho bell of the outer door of the suite rang as if pulled bya somewhat impationt hand; and Juaura hastened to answer tho summons. She opened tho door—and Captain Barthelma, the handsomo Castelcicalan, appeared upon thn threshold, “Ts it possible that this can be true?” he ex- claimed, his joy amonnting to a dolirious excitement as his eyes fell upon tho heroine of the afternoon’s adventuro in tho Champs Elysées. Laura smiled archly as sho placed her finger upon her lip to impose silence, at least until he should have entered her abode; and, having closed the door carefully, sho conducted him into the drawing-room. ee | CIIAPTIER CLNIY., LAURA'S AMOUR, SEATING horself upon tho sofa, Laura motioned the Italian to placo himself by her sido—an invita- tion which he obeyed with a specics of enthusiastic alacrity. But sail the timo ho was unable to take his eyes off her—as if lhe still doubted whether it'” wero indeed n fact that his good fortune had con- ducted him into the presence of her whoso image had never onco been absent from his mind since he first beheld her that afternoon in the Champs Wlyaces. ‘Is it possible ¢” ho again cjaculated, after a faw EConnicloooks (CO)