The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 386: what you’re looking at

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§ alike in your confidence and in mine, I did not think it cither grateful or prudent to leave him unac- quainted with all that had occurred. The secret therefore rests with him, the good physician, the yalot, and myself; and the household generally believes that you were found in a fit, which has _ been followed by a dangerous illness,” ““My dearest wife,’’ said the Marquis, after a long pause,-“ were there no circumstances which com- pelled me, as an honest man, to ask your pardon for the past, in the same way as you have demanded and obtained my forgiveness,—all that you have now told mo would efface from my memory every thing that it had ever cherished to your prejudice, The dolicacy you have displayed—your gencrosity— your watchfulness——” “Nay—I caunot permit you thus to exert your- self,” interrupted the Marchioness, placing hor hand upon his mouth. “But you must permit me to declare how deep is the gratitude that I experience for your conduct “Oh! my beloved wife~— towards me,” he said. for so I must again call you—J was mad at tho time when J laid violent hands upon myself!” “Oh! speak not of that/” exclaimed the lady, “My God ! was it in consequence of that last inter- view which you had with Trevelyan pa “No—no,” interrupted the Marquis: ‘do not blame yourself in any way! It was sot on account of the determination which you had expressed, and which ho explained to me, to retain Agnes in your care. No—alas! a far less worthy causc——But tell mo,” he exclaimed, suddenly checking himself, as an idea struck him: “has there been any con- munication made from my bankers ‘ “Do not harass yourself with matters of busi- ness,” said the Marchioness, in a tone expressive of the deepest solicitude. “Nay—if J am to enduro the tortures of sus- pense, I shall nevor recover,” exclaimed the noble- man, with strong emphasis. “Besides, I sco by your manner that something Aas occurred, So- phia——” “Well—I will explain cvory tlfing,” said the Marchioness; “and then your mind will be relieved: for I seo that it is useless to expect you to compose yourself while any cause of vexation or excitement exists, Tranquilliso your mind, therofore, rolative to the matter which is now uppermost in your thoughts. Your honour has been duly cared for— no exposure has givon oxistence to shame or hu- miliation.” - “Oh! again—again I thank you, my gencrous wife,” cried tho Marquis. “But pray give me an explanation of all this!”’ . “T will doso without farther preface,” she said, “Tn the course of the day following the mournful one whose chief incident made me an inmate of the house to which I only came in the first instance as a visitor, tho principal partner in the banking firm in the Strand called with an earnest request to see gou immediately. In pursuance of cortain orders which I had given to the servants relative to any visitors who might come upon business, I was im- mediately made acquainted with the banker’s pro- sence; and I hastened to the room where ho was waiting. I assured him that you had been seized with a sudden fit, and were unablo to see any one; and, as I had already mado myself known in the beuse as your wife, Linformed him that I was the Marchioness of Delmour. He said that it was of THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. 53! tho groatest consequence for him to sce you: and | replied that you were insensible to all that was passing around you. He appeared much annoyed— indeed bewildered by this announcement; and I conjured him to becandid withme, He then stated that a forgery had been committed upon.the bank, your name having been already used to procure the sum of sixty thousand pounds; that the legitimate owner of the cheque had just called to obtain the cash, and was actually waiting at the bank at that instant; and that ho himsclf had come to require final instructions from you, as the lady was resolute in enforcing her demand. Pardon me, my husband,” continued the Marchioness, “if I tell you I sus- pected that the affair was ene which you would be unwilling to have exposed; and, indeed, on a little farther conversation with the banker, I heard suf- ficient to convince me that such was the fact. I accordingly took it upon myself to desire him to offect a compromise with the lady in question: but she being obstinate, he paid the entireamount. This result hoe subsequently called to communicate to mo; and [ hope that you will at least approve of my motives, if not of the instructions that I gaye.” “T approve of both,” answered tho Marquis; “and I again thank you, Sophia, for the delicacy which you havo exhibited in my behalf.” At this moment a knock at tho door of the chamber was hoard; and Sir John Lascelles im- mediately afterwards made his appearance. The worthy physician was much delighted at the sudden and unexpected improvement which had manifested itsolf in his patient: and, after a few inquirics of a purely professional nature, he turned towards the Marchioness, saying, “To her lady- ship, my lord, arc you indebted for your life. Her prompt attention and tho singular presence of mind with which she adopted the proper—indoed, the only effectual course, immediately atter the dis- covory of your alarming condition — saved your lordship from a speedy death. During the four days and four nights which have elapsed since the occur- rence,” continued Sir John Lascelles, alluding as delicatcly as he could to tho attempted suicide, “hor ladyship has been constant and unwearied in her attendance at your bed-side. In order to retain the sad secret within as narrow a circle as pos- sible, her ladyship would not even permit a nurso to bo ongaged ;—but, unassisted, she has sustained all the cares—all the anxioties—an4 all tho fatigues inevitably associated with daily watchings and long vigils. Pardon moe, madam, for speaking thus en- thusiastically; but, throughout my experience, which embraces a lengthened series of years, { never-——never beheld such devotion.” © Tthank you, doctor,” said the nobleman, “ for dwelling with such omphasis upon conduct as noble as it is generous. Certain differences—tri- fling in reality, and all in consequence of faults on my side,” continued the Marquis, “had long kept us apart. But we are now reunited, never again to se- parate until Death shall lay his hand upon me. Doctor,” added tho nobloman, after a short pause,— whilo the Marchioness was weeping through deep emotion,—“ should you over hoar any one allude to our protracted separation, I beg—I implore you to declare, upon theauthority of my own avowal, that I alone was the offending party, and that her lady- ship has generously forgiven me every thing.” “T shall not wait to hear people allude to this matter, ero I myself broach the subject, in order to (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)