The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 368: what you’re looking at

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TUE ee rE OY S than two or three thousand in tho course of the day; ‘and to-morrow morning your daughter may present her cheque, when a discovery wil] take place, and all the rest of the notes will be uscless. As for going over to the continent, and endoarouring to pass them there, the thing would be ridiculous; for the advertisements in tho newspapers would put all tho monoy-changers in Europe upon thoir guard. Thus far, then, the notes are not worth more than two or three thousand pounds tome. But, on the other hand, you say that you have the means of stopping your daughter’s mouth, and compelling hor to put up with the loss. In this case, tho whole amount of notes becomes available; and therefore wo will share and share alike.” “Then give me my moiety at once,” said the old woman, with greedy impatience. “No such thing!” ejaculated Rily: “I must have some guaranteo that you act properly in this business; and you can have no hesitation in putting your trust in mo, because you have had a proof of my good feeling before. IL have not forgotten that you saved my life in the struggle with Vitriol Bob; and the samo feoling that mado me give you half the spoil then, will prompt me to act with equal fair- ness now. You are thoroforo at liberty to depart when you choose, and to go where you lika: the notes will remain in my possession—and whien yon come back to me with the assurance that you have prevented your daughter from taking any step that may Icad to an explosion of the whole business, your share shall bo immediately forthcoming. Ihave now put the matter in the proper light; and with sucha good undorstanding, there can be no quarrelling. As to whether you afterwards choose to become my ‘ broom: stick wife, I must leave it entirely to your- self: for though I should be as happy as a king in the possession of your old person and sixty thou- sand pounds, yot I shall bo able to console myself for your loss by means of the thirty thousand that will romain to me.” During this long tirade, all the first portion of which yas delivered in atone of business-liko seriousness, Mrs. Mortimer was hastily reflecting upon the im- provement that had sa unexpectedly taken place in the aspect of her affairs: for she now found hexself at liberty to leave the monster whom sho loathed and abliorred, and she had evory chance of regaining and being able to make uso of tho moiety of the Bank-notes, Sho accordingly assented to the conditions pro- posed by the Doctor, leaving the broom-stick mar- riago “an open question ;” and having settled her disordered attire,she took her departure—not how- over before sho had beon compelled to submit to enothor hugging on the part of the hare-lipped wratch whose caresses were so revolting and in- tolerable. CHAPTER CXCIV. ’ MOTHER AND DAUGHTER AGAIN. If was about five o’clock in the ovening of the same day on which these events occurred, that Laura Mortimer and the Count of Carignano, at- tended by Rosalie, arrived in London by the South Eastern Railway; and they immediately repaired to an hotel at the west-end of tho town. Although the ycung Italian nobleman had expe- MYSTERIES OF LONDON. oa rienced sufficient leisure for reflection with regard to the step which ho was about to tale, the enthn- sinsm of his passion had not underrone the Teast abatement: on the contrary, the more he saw of Laura, and the longer ho was in hor company, the more ardently did he burn to make her his wife, Nor can this infatuation on his part bo a subject of wonder or surprise with our readers: for when it ig remembered that tlie artful creature united the most winning ways and captivating manners to the most transcendent loveliness, and that the Count of Carignano had the warm Italian blood flowiny in his yeins,—when, too, it is recollected that the syren maintained an incessant fire upon his heart with the artillery of her charms and her fascina- tions—never permitting the conversation to droop throughout the journey, and never seeming wearied of lavishing the tenderest caresses upon her hand- some companion,—when all these circumstances are taken into consideration, it cannot be a matter of wonderment if the sitken chains in which Loronzo was ensnared, were completely rivetted. There was also this fact which served to strengthen his love and her power: namely, that sho had not invited him to return to her in Paris— sho had not sought to retain him within the sphero of her influence on the occasion of thoir first amour —sho had not played tho part of a mere adventuress or husband-Lunter towards him. No: she had dis- missed him with the understanding that their con- nexion could not be renowed—that she could neither becomo his wife nor his misttess;—and the young man had of his own accord flown back to her, os a suppliant for her hand! That she could bo an adventuress or a husband-hunter, nover therefore entered his imagination—oven if for an instant he paused to ponder with any degreo of seriousness upon her character; and s0 far from considering that he was bestowing any favour upon her by making her the sharer of his wealth and title, le looked upon himself as the party owing the obliga- tion—he regarded himself as the happy individual who had the greater reason to rejoice at the con- nexion, On her part, Laura Mortimer was most anxious that the marriage-knot should be tied as speedily as possible: for she naturally longed to placo beyone all possibility of doubt or disappointment the bril- liant destiny that had suddenly developed itself to her view. Even tho possession of the chequo for sixty thousand pounds was a secondary considcra- tion, in comparison with her desire to securo that pr oud title of Countess which was now within ber reach, Having partaken of a hasty dinner at the hotel, Laura and her intended husband repaired without delay to a fashionable house-agent in the neighbour- hood; and it happened that he had upon his list a furnished villa of which possession might be taken atanhour’s notice. It was situated in Westbourny Place, Pimlico, and was in perfect readiness for the reception of occupants. Thither the Count, Laura, and the house-agent immediately proceeded; andas the villa fully corresponded, in allits conveniences and appointments, with the description given, an arranyement was effected upon the spot for the tenancy. Laura and the Count returned, however, to the hotel for that nights; ‘and early in ‘lia morning they repaired to Doctors’ Commons, where the youn: nobleman speedily obtained aspecial licence. Thenee (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)