The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 331: what you’re looking at

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326 WE MYSTLNILS OF LONDON. without manifesting the slightest embarrassment; whilo the rapid and intolligent sign which she made to her mother, and which was altogether unper- cnived by the nobleman, was fully usderstood by the old woman. “Aht that is on account of her namo being Afor- timer,” said the Marquis, completely satisfied by the auswer Which Laura had given him—espcecialty as tho old woman offered no contradiction, “And now J] must request you to accede to somo altcra- tion in our plans for to-morrow,” ho continucd, drawing Laura aside, and speaking to her in a low tone. “On my roturn just tow to the hotol where I am staying, I found a Ietter containing tho af- flicting intelligence that a daughter of mine—a daughter whom circumstances havo corapolled imo to kcop in the strictest secluston—liad suddonly and most mysteriously disappeared from her dwel- ling in tho neighbourhood of London. his hap- pened five days ago;—but Mrs. Gifford—my dear child's housekeeper, and 1 may almost say quardian —did not immediately write to me, hoping that Agnes would return. Oh! vou may conceive how deeply this event has grieved mv py “I sympathise sincercly with you, my dear Mar- quis,” interrupted Laura, affecting to wipo away tears from her cyes; for it suited her purpose to romain on good terms with the old nobleman until she should havo cashed her draft for the sixty thousand pounds. “ Yes—I sincerely sympathise with you,” she repeated: “and J ean anticipate tho proposed alterations in our arrangements. You in- tend to start immediately for England ——” “ Without a moment’s unnecessary delay,” said the Marquis, who wes greatly oxcited by the intelli- gence he had received from Mrs, Gifford: “the in- stant I return to my hotel, 2 post-chaise and four will bo in readiness for me. But may T hope that you will follow me tou London cs specdily as con- venient ?” “T shall dopart to-morrow, my dear Marquis, at the hour already arranged,” responded Laura; “and deeply do I regret that my preparations are so backward as to render it impossiblo for me to offer to become your travelling-companion at oner.” Dearest Laura!” murmured the Marquis, for a tingle moment losing the remembrance of his afflic- tion in tho doting passion he had formed for the beautiful woman who was thus grossly deluding him. © Our separation will not be very tony,” he continued ; “and I hopo that when we meet in London three days henev, T may have good news to tell you respecting Agnes. Now, madam,” he ox- claimed aloud, turning towards Mrs. Mortimer. who, whilo affecting to be examining tho mantel- ornaments, was vainly endeavouring to catch the senso of what was passing at a little distanco be- tween her daughter and tho Marquis ;—" now, madam,” ho srid, approaching her with an abrupt- ness that mado her start, “ 1 do not thinl: I shall be insulting you if [ offer you a handred puiness for the information which vou professed yourself able and willing to vive relative to my daughter— my deac and well-bcloved Agnes.” NS hundred guineas, my lord!” exclaimed Mrs, Mortimer, coutemptuously: “if you really lave that young lady whom you call your daughter, you must surely comider that it is worth five or six times the amount named in order to regain pos- session of hor.” ‘*Enurs dearesb- —I mean, Miss Mortimer,” said 8 ere ee ee Ge Se eG ee the nobleman, impatiently, as ho turned towards the young lady,—“ oblige me with writing materials, and I will speedily satisfy this woman's rapacity.” “Perhaps I might also exact 2 recompensé for keeping secret tho good understanding which ox- ists botween your lordship and ‘dearest Laura, and which you so unguardedly betrayed ?” observed Mrs. Mortimer, in a tone of bitter sarcasm, and with a malignant glance-darted from her snake-like oyes at her daughter. “Silence, woman!” ejaculated the Marquis, speaking with tho omphasis of authority: then, tho writing matorials being now placed before him, ho sate down and wrote a cheque, which hie tossed across tho tablo to Mrs. Mortimer, saying, “Tam sorry that I have not enough money about my porson to satisfy your demands. Iam therefore compelled to give you a draft upon my Lendon bankors; and you will percoive that it is for six times as much as TI at first offered you,” he added, dwelling on the words which the old woman had herself used to indicate tho amount of her expecta- tions, * Yes-—my lord: I seo that it is for six hundred pounds,” sho observed, coolly and quictly, 2s she folded up the cheque and secured it about her per- gon. “ And now I will toll you what I know con- corning your daughter; and I tako heaven to wit- ness that I will not mislead you.” “¥f you do, my good woman,” interrupted tho Marquis, “you will find payment of tho cheque stopped at the bank. Goon; and delay not—for my time is precious,” ‘In a word, my lord,” said Mrs. Mortimer, tho contemptuous manner in which sho was treated by the haughty peer being fully counterbalanced by the handsomo bonus that had just fatlen into her hand,— Lord William Trevelyan, whom you doubt- less know woll by namo, if not personally, is deeply enamoured of your daughter; and ho employed mo to take a letter to her. I acquitted myself of the task : but Miss Agnes isa perfect dragon of virtne— and U could make little impression upon her.” ‘God bo thanked!” ejaculated tho Marquis, fer- vently. “Well—although Lord William's passion is honourable cnongh, J have no doubt, yet Miss Agnes——”’ “And is it Tord William who has takon her away?’ demanded tho Marquis, unable to restrain his impatience or any longer endure the tortures of suspense, “ No, iny lord—it was her mother!” said Mrs, Mortimer, watching through profound curiosity the effect which this announcement would produce upon the nobloman. “Ah! then my worst apprehensions aro con- firmed!” ho exclaimed, in a tone of poignant an- ruish, “But do not give way to despair, my lord,” said Nirs. Mortimer: ‘for Miss Agnes subsequently escaped from tho horse where her mother plact! her——” “Oh! then sho loves me stul—me—ner tather ?” exclaimed tho Marquis, in accents of joy: ‘and shu yielded not tothe wiles of that woman——But pro- ceed, madam—proceed !” hoe cried, suddenly inter- rupting himself, aud again speaking in a tone of impatience. “faving escaped, as I havo just said,” resamed Mrs. Mortimer, Agnes fell into the power of a EConnicloooks (SO)