The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 370: what you’re looking at

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po, Oe oe ©. 2 a eres res et ee ee pe well enough to bo fnily aware thet I am not likely to yicld to them, even though my own interests should suffer by my obstinacy in that respect.” “ Perhaps you will talk differently in a few mi- nutes,” observed the old #woman. “If wo now stand face to face as enemies, it is your own fault.” “Wo will not re-argue all tho points involved in that accusation,” said Laura. “ Remember the ecene in Suffolk Street—remomber also the remarks which passed between us the other evening in Paris; and then cease to charge mo with tho mis- undorstandings that my have sprung up between us. You desired to plax the despot’s part—I re- Bistod—and in these few words all our differences aresummed up. But limagine that those differences were settled, and that an arrangement was made, whereby you were to dwell apart from mo and ree coive a quartorly stipend of two hundred pounds. Havo you thought better of the business ?—or do you require some other terms ?” “Yos —I require other terms, indeed,” ex- claimed Mrs. Mortimer: then, fixing her eyes full upon the countenance of her daughter, she said, “J am in possession of a secret which would ruin you——”’ “Enough, mother!” ejaculated Laura, her beau- teous countenance becoming scarlet with rage. “Y will hear no more—for I understand your menece. But now listen to mes You fancy that I am in your power :—you think that if you seck my husband and reveal to him all the particulars of my past life—my amours—my profligacy,— you flatter yourself, I say, that his love will turn to hatred, and that he will discard mo! Now, ? dars you to do your worst—I fear you not! In the first place, you shall not see my husband again: in tho second, you could succeed in working no change in his sentiments towards me. I would give you the lic to every word you uttered! He knows that I am nota goddess of purity: but I should have little difficulty in persuading him that you are mag- nifying a comparatively venial frailty into 2 mon- strous dissoluteness. And now, mother, you may leave me as speedily as you choose—and spare me the pain of thrusting you from my doors by main force.” Sublime and grand in the majesty of her beauty was tho voluptuous—wanton—unprincipled Per- dita,—(for on this occasion wo must give her the name which so admirably represents her character), —as, drawn up to her full height, and with heaving hosom, flashing eyes, aud expanding nostrils, she thus addressed her mother. Having laid aside her bonnot, shawi, and long white gloves, she seomed like 2 Pythoness in her bridal garments; and her manner was as onergctic and awe-inspiring, as her voice was emphatic and determined in its full silver tones. But the old woman lost not her composure: on the contrary, sho listened to her daughter with the calm insolence of one possessing a last argument the enunciation of which would crush and over- whelm. “One word, Laura,” she said, in a voico that commanded the young lady’s attention: ‘Sono word —and then act as you choose. If I ere now adopted n tone of menace, it was not with the intention of wielding such paltry and poor weapons as thoso to which you have aliuded. I had not then, and have nut now, the slightest intention of venting my spite in potty tittle-tattle relative to your amours: I will s THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. po ee 365 notafford you the chance,” she added, with keen sar- casm, “of using your sophistry for the purpose of colouring your dissoluteness so as to givo it tho air of a mere feminine frailty.” “ Coaso this long preface, and como to the point at once,” said Laura, a vague fear coming over her, but which she concealed beneath a cold and rigid ospression of countenance: at the same time, sho saw full well that her mother was really possessed of some secret power whereof she was determined to make the most, “ My proface is done,” continued Mrs. Mortimer ; “and now for tho matter to which it was to lead. You have this day married the Count of Carignano 2” “You need scarcely ask that question,” said Laura; “since you have cre now accompanied us from the church whore the ceremony was per- formed.” « And you will henceforth style yoursolf Countess of Carignano?” proceeded the old woman, still adopting an interrogatory style. “ Certainly,” responded Laura: “f shall use the title to which marriage has givon moaright. But to what point, may I once more ask, is all this long discourse to come ?” “%o this,” answered the old woman, approaching her daughter and sinking her voice to a low whis- per: “to this,’ she repeated, her countenanco becoming stern and resolute, whilo sho abruptly stamped her foot imperiously upon the carpot: “to this, Laura—that your marriage of to-day is no marriage at all—that you consequently have no more right than I to the title of Countcess—and that you have drawn down upon your head the peril of a prosceution for bigamy /” An iee-chill came upon the heart of the youuy lady as theso withering words met her cars: but, by means of an effort so powerful that it was anguish evon toexercise it,—yes, agony thus to restrain her pent-up rage from finding a vent in a furious out- burst,—she preserved an outward calmness which astonished her mother, who had expected to bring her down as an abject suppliant upon her knees. ‘You must still explain yourself farther,” said Laura, in a cold tone. “What! you affect not to understand mo?” cx- claimed the old woman. “Or would you have the insolence to deny that you aro alrcady married to Charles Hatfield ?” ‘‘T do not condescend to a falschood upon the sub- ject—atleast with you,” responded Laura, contemptu- ously: though internally her agitation was immense. “And yet you did dony it in Paris,” said the old woman. “But I was aware of the fact at the time —and I cherished the secret, well knowing that it would servo mo somo day or another. thought, however, that I should so soon be com- pelled to make use of it.” “ And for what purpose havo you now proclaimed your knowledge thereof?” demanded Laura, a gleam of joy lighting up in hor soul as she perceived that her mother was vexed and embarrassed by the calmness with which her menaces wero received. “Tn a word,’ resumed the old woman, “‘ wo are in the power of each other. You can transport me —and I can transport you.” “ Again must I request you to explain yourself,” said Laura. “ You are evidently fencing with some- thing that you wish, yet fear to communicate.” “I will speak out at once,” exclaimed Mrs. Mor- timer. “ The cheque which the Marquis of Delmour ened I little’ (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)