The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 369: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

afd TIT MYSTERIES OF LONDON, eo 8 68 eee attended by Rosalie, they drove to a church at no very great distance; and by elevon o’clock the hands of Laura Mortimor and the Countof Carignano were united at the altar, The incidents of this forenoon had, howover, been closely watcned by Mrs, Mortimer. , The wily old woman, upon quitting the Doctor the day before, had reasoned thus within herself :— “aura has captivated a young Italian nobleman whom she feels she can lovc—tvhom she already loves —and who possesses a proud title and princely re- venues. Those were the very words which she used whon she communicated her matrimonial intentions tomein Paris, I know her well enough tobe fully convinced that she will not delay a moment after her return to London, in securing her admirer. A speciai license must bo the means—and, as her in- tended husband is a foreigner, Laura will no doubt accompany him, at least into the neighbourhood of Doctors’ Commons, Hivon the presentation of her chegue at the banker’s will be quite a secondary matter, when compared with the grand object of securing the coronet which she so much covets !” It was in consequenco of these reflections that Mrs. Mortimer rose early in the morning and re- paired to the district of Doctors’ Commons, whero it is no difficult matter to become an observer with- out being observed, in the mazo of narrow streets and little courts forming that neighbourhood. Nor was she mistaken in her conjecture—neither had she long to wait. Ina short time a carriage—bired from the hotel—mado its appearance, and a hand- somo young man, with a clear olive complexion and n glossy moustache, alighted. <A lady thrust out her head to give him a few whispered instructions; and the beauteous countenance was not s0 completcly shaded by the white bonnet and tho voil, but that Mrs. Mortimer, from the nook where she had con- cealed herself, could recogniso tho features of her daughter. In a short time the handsomo Italian returned, his own countenance glowing with delight; and the moment he re-entered the vehicle, it drove away. Mrs, Mortimer had a cabin attendance; and she followed tho carriage to within sight of tho church at which itstopped. She then dismissed tho cab, and boldly entered the church, in order to be- come perfectly convinced that no unexpected acci- dent should interfere with the marriage ceromony, Seating herself in a pew at a distance from the altar, she could behold everything without being observed by those whom she was thus watching, She saw Laura converse for a few moments with the sexton, who immediately afterwards hurried away; and in about a quarter of an hour he re- turned in company with the clergyman and tho clerk. he ceremony ther took place; and when the Count of Carignano was leading Laura back to the carriage, Rosalie being in close attendance upon them, Nrs. Mortimer suddenly emerged from tho pew. For an instant her daughter started and seemed profoundly vexed at this abrupt and unaccountable appearance of her parent: but in thenext momentsho recovered herself-possessiou, and,assuming asmiling countenance, said, “I thought you were in Paris; this therefore isan unexpected pleasure. Permit me, Lorenzo,” she added, turning towards her husband, “to present my mother, who has thus accidontally happened to enter, for her own devotions, tho very church where our marriage has taken place.” As she uttered these words, Laura glanced with as to enjoin her not to undecccive the Count relative to the accidental nature of this meeting: for the bride now understood full well that her mother had been watching her movements—though for what purpose she could not possibly divine. “T am delighted to havo the honour of an introe duction to Mrs. Mortimer,” said the Count, taking the old woman’s hand: “and I hope that she ap- proves of the alliance which her daughter has just formed ?” “Oh! assuredly, my lord,” answered the harri- dan: “but I regret that I was not duly invited to be present at tho ceremony. However, T am not the less contented that it should havo taken placo; and as my stay in London is very short, your lord- ship will perhaps excuse me if f crave a fow minutes’ private conversation with my daughter.” “ You may accompany us to the house which we have taken, mother,” said Laura: “and my dear Lorenzo will thero grant us an opportunity of dis- coursing alonc——on family matiers——for a short time.”’ “ Certainly!’ exclaimed the nobleman, who was too happy to offer an objection to anything proposed by his charming wife, and who saw nothing sinis- ter nor strange in the present scene, unless indecd it were the sudden and unexpected presenco of the mother: but as she bad offered no objection to the match, he did not choose to troublo hisown felicity | with any conjecture as to the cause of her abrupt | appearance on the occasion. ; Tho bride, bridegroom, Mrs. Mortimer, and Ro- , salio (who had acted as bridemaid) accordingly cn- tered the carriage, which drove away at a rapid pace towards Pimlico. During the ride tho conversation was of that gencral nature which settled upon no particular topic, and which thercforo needs no detail here; and on tho arrival of the party at tho beautiful little villa in Westbourne Place, Mrs. Mortimer and Laura were spocdily closetted togother, The moment they wero thus alone, Laura’s coun- imperious signification at the old woman, as much tenance suddenly changed; and her features as- sumed an expression of something more than stern- ness—for it was rage—as sho said in an imperious tono, “Why havo you been watching my move- ments ?—and how dared you thus to intrude your- solf upon me at such a time and place ?” “Because it is of the utmost importanco that I should confer with you at onco on a subject of dcep interest to us both,” replicd Mrs. Mortimer, adopt- ing a voice and manner of such cool insolence as to convince the shrewd and penetrating Laura that some circumstauce had transpired to enable tho old woman to proclaim her independence. “ And of what naturo is that subject ?” inquired the young lady, still treating her mother with a coolness almost amounting to disdain. “In one sense, 1am complotely in your power: in another sense, you are entiroly in mino,” return,,d Mrs. Mortimer ; “and therefore mutual concessions are necessary to cnable us both to enjoy peace, and follow our own ways unmolested,” “You must explain yourself more fully yet,” said Laura, believing the dnnouncement that sie was in her mother’s power to allude to tho secrets which the old woman might reveal relative to tha dissoluteness of her former life. “If you desire me to render you any servico,” she added, after a fow moments’ pause, “ you should not address me in the shape of menaces; because you know Dy disposition Come S eerieaeteeent EConnicloooks (CO)