The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 243: what you’re looking at

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EP ee, 238 THE m¥YSPERIES OF LONDON, fine, was the discrepancy botween theso men, that] ings with merciless hastc—unrelentingly sweeping people were surprised when they learnt for the first time that the money-making, hard-hearted attorney was the brother of the urbane, amiable, and polished baronot, These hasty outlines will afford tho reader some idea of Sir Gilbert Heathcote on the one hand, and Mr, James IIcathcote on the other, We shall see more of them both hereafter; and their characters will then becomo more fully developed. In tho meantime we must return to Lord William Tre- velyan, whom we left hastening in his cab, at half- past ten at night, towards the Albany. On arriving at that celebrated establishment, the ‘ young nobleman instituted various inquiries con- cerning Sir Gilbert; but not the least particle of information of a satisfactory nature could he obtain. It appeared that tho baronet had been absent for cight days, and that no communication had been received from him—neither had he given any pre- vious intimation of his intended departure. Mis brother had been informed of this unaccountable absence; but it seemed that the attorney had taken no step to solyo the mystery. This was tho only fact which Lord William succeeded in gleaning in addition to the meagre knowledge ho already pos- sessed rejative to the matter; and he returned homeward with a heary heart, and experiencing strange misgivings in respect to his friend, It was near midnight when ho re-entered the room where he had left the lady. The moment ho appeared on the threshold of the door, she rose from her seat and hastened forward to meet him, her looks rovealing tho intensity of the anxiety and the acuteness of the suspense which sho experienced, But when sho saw by his countenance, even before n word fell from his lips, that he had no good news to impart, a ghastly pallor overspread her face, and she would have fallen had lio not supported her and led her back to her chair. “I prievo to say, madam,” he at Jongth observed, “that I havo learnt nothing moro than what you already know—unless indecd it be tho fact that a communication respecting Sir Gilbert’s disappear- ance has been made to Mr. James Heathcote, and that he has treated the matter with unpardonablo Ievity—if not with heartless indifference.” “TI do not know that brother—I uever saw him,” said the lady, speaking in a broken voice: “ but I have heard cnough of his character to mako me dread him.” “At tho same time, madam,” remarked Lord Trovelyan, ina tone of firm though gentle romon- strance, “there is not the slightest ground for sus- picion against Mr. James Ifcathcote; and such an observation as that which a moment ago fell from your lips, might act most seriously to the prejudice of an innocent man. I likewiso am unacynainted with Mr. Heathcote, otherwise than by namc——” * And your lordship is well awaro that his repu- tation ig nut the most onviablo in tho world!” ex- claimed the lady in an impassioned tone.” “YT havo never heard any definite charges against bim, madam,” said Trevelyan. “No—not positive charges which may fix him with the perpetration of a special and particular deed of guilt,” she cried, as if determined to level her suspicions against the attorney: “but your lordship has doubtless heard a thousand vague ac- cusations—usury—extortion—prinding down theo we 9 away the property of his victims “All these charges I have certainly heard, ma- dam,” said Trevelyan; “ but I will not admit that they warrant the darkest, blackest suspicion which one human being can possibly entertain towards another. Understand me, madam—I have no mo- tive in defending James Heathcote, beyond tho true Esglish principlo of never judging a person through the medium of prejudices. Tor your satis- faction J will call upon Mr. Teathcote to-morrow— { will speak to him relative to the mysterious dis- appearance of his brother—I will hear his replics— Twill even watch his countenance and observe his manner as he speaks. And bolicve me, madam,” proceeded the young nobleman, emphatically,— “beliove me when I assuro you that if thero should transpiro tho least causo of suspicion—if there should appear aught to warrant tho holiof that James ILeathcote could have possibly practised or instigated foul play in respect to his brother,— believe me, madam, I repeat, that I will pursuo the investigation—I will leave no stone unturned— I will prosecute my inquiries mntil I shall havo brought home that deep guilt to his door. But not for an instant—no, not for a single moment can I believce——” “Act as yon have said, my Jord—~and, depend upon it, you will find in the sequel that my opinions aro not so unjust—so uncalled for—so reprohonsible, as you now conccire them to be. But, oli !” ox- claimed tho lady, clasping hor hands wildly together, —‘it is terrible—terrible even for a moment to entertain tho idea that ho whom I love s0 devotedly may be no more!” ‘Compose yourself, madam—tranquilliso your feclings, J implore you!” cricd Lord William Tre- velyan. “Wo must not give way to despair—wo must not harbour the dreadful thought that Sir Gilbert Heathcote has met with foul play, and that ho ceases toexist. No—no: Ict us hope a “Oht my lord, how can we hope in the face of such strange—-snch mysterious—such suspicious circumstances ?” demanded the lady, with mingled grief and bitterness. “ Eyen if he did not choose to acquaint his friends with his intended absence and its motives, ho would not be cqually reserved to- wards me. No—he would have seen me cro big departure—or ho would at least havo written. For you must now learn, my lord, that we have loved each other for upwards of twenty years,” sho con- tinued, in a low and plaintive tone. ‘Por twenty years and more have our hearts beat in unison ,~ and norer—never was love so devoted os ours! Alas! mine has been a strange and romantic life; and the influence that has swayed all its incidents was that passion which the worldly-minded treat so lightly, J’or my father was a worldly-minded man; and, though ho knew how fondly J loved and how ardently] was beloved—though J knelt before him and conjured him by all he held most sacred, and by tho spirit of my mother who died in my childhood, not to sacrifice mo to the object of Ais choice, and tear mo away from tho objeet of minc,— nevertheless, he ridiculed my prayers~—he made naught of my beseechings—and I was immolated ¢ upon the altar of a parent's sordid interest. Your. lordship has perhaps already understood that the one whom I adored was Gilbert Heathcote. Nover— never was Jovo’s tale told with more enchanting poor to the very dust—hurrying on law proceed- | sweetness than by his lips: nover—neyer did woman EConnicloooks (CO)