The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 368: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTBRIEZS. elaimed the lady, shuddering visibly. “I cannot bear to read or think of public executions and all the dread paraphernalia of the gibbet. Depend upon it, Mr. Page, you and your wife were the victims of some optical delusion—or else some practical joke——” “Pardon me, madam,” interrupted Page: “it could not be a delusion, for the reason I havealready mentioned—and there was no one in the house at the time who would play usatrick. Ramsey was a man whose persons] appearance could not fail to produce an impression upon the mind. Once seen, he was not likely to be forgotten.” “* He was very handsome, I believe ?"’ observed the Prince. “ At, least, so the newspapers said.” “ And they spoke truly, may it please your Royal Highness,” returned Mr. Page, who, however much he disliked garrulity in others, was terribly prone to it himself “Mr. Ramsey was about ecight-and- twenty—tall in stature—slightly but elegantly made —with features perfectly regular and of a Grecian cast—splendid dark eyes—brilliant teeth—and an olive complexion.” ‘Tt was almost a pity to give such a man up to the hangman,” observed the Prince. “But we will discontinue the subject now, if you please,” he added, at the same time giving a gentle inclination of his head as a hint that Mr. Page might withdraw. The ex-traveller accordingly hastened to rejoin his wife and the Bryans; and when he entered the room where they were, he found them busily engaged in examining something which Julia was holding clese to the candle. So deeply absorbed were they in the contemplation of the object of such enthralling in- terest, that they did not immediately observe the en- trance of Mr. Page; and he had already thrust his head over his wife’s shoulder to see what she had got in her hand, ere his presence was remarked. Then she gave a sudden start, and the Bryans uttered ejaculations of terror—while Page caught a glimpee of a miniature portrait of Ramsey ! “ Dear me, how you have frightened us!” cried Julia, petulantly. “What made you come creeping in so stealthily ?” | “{ didn’t,” answered Page. “Twas your being £0 intent on this picture, that you could not hear my footsteps. Where did you get itt” And as he asked this question, he took the minia- ture from Julia’s hand and examined it with atten- tion. The likeness was perfect: no one who had ever seen Ramsey even for a single moment could fail to be struck by the fidelity with which his features and the very expression of his countenance in his usual mood were depicted there. The explanation demanded was speedily given. “The bed-chamber which was originally prepared for us,” said Julia, addressing herself to her hus- band, “ is the best in the mansion; and I therefore resolved that it should be appropriated to the use of the Prince and his lady. Well, then, it was necessary to get another room ready for you and me; and so Mrs. Bryan showed me through several chambers that I might select the’ one I fancied. When I had made my choice, we began to arrange the bed; and, lo and behold! between the mattresses we found this miniature.” “Ah! it doubtless belonged to Lady Stamford,” observed Page. “The resemblance to Ramsey is admirably preserved—it is a speaking likeness! No wonder that her ladyship should have loved him as she did—he was a very handsome man. But, by the bye,” he ejaculated, a sudden thought striking him, “the Prince has been talking to me about him ; and I will just take the liberty of showing his Royal Highness this portrait.” _To the presence of the heir-apparent and the lady did Mr. Page accordingly return; and, with nume- rous apologies for his intrusion, he explained his motive by producing the miniature. Even in the minds of the well-educated and the enlightened, there alwaye exists a degree of interest—whether morbid or not, we leave our readers to determine— respecting those individuals who have gained an in- famous renown alike by their crimes and the death whereby they have expiated them : and this fact will account for the attention with which his Royal High- ness now contemplated the portrait of Ramesy. Nor less did the lady exhibit a degree of interest in the examination of those features which were truly of that classic beauty described by the ex-bagman; and as she returned the pictureto Mr. Page, she observed, “ Crime is not written upon that countenance: not a single lineament denotes an evi! propensity. Surely the phrenologist, who studies the features as an index to the mind, must often err f” “ Undoubtedly,” answered the Prince. “ We thank you, Mr. Page, for your attention in bringing that portrait for our inspection; and for my part I must admit that it is indeed a countenance which, once seen, could not be easily forgotten. However, your ghost-story willnot prevent me from aleeping soundly to-night—for I am overcome with weariness: and wo will therefore retire to rest.” Page bowed—thrust the miniature into his pocket —-and withdrew for the purpose of sending Julis to conduct the heir-apparent and his fair companion to the chamber prepared for their reception. Mrs. Page had already made herself acquainted with the arrangements of the mansion: and she was there- fore enabled to act the part of guide to the dis- tinguished visitors. Carrying a wax-candle in each hand, she preceded them to their apartment, where she oflered her assistance in respect to the night- toilette of the Jady, the Prine retiring into the ad- jacent dressing-room: but the proposal was declined with a condescending smile and a few words of thanks—and Mrs. Page withdrew to the chamber prepared for herself and husband. When this worthy couple were alone together, she ex-bagman did not immediately commence laying aside his apparel: but, filnging himself into a great arm-chair, he said, “I think, my dear Julia, that our attentions have made some impression upon his Royal Highness and that lady.” “Very probably,” answered his wife in a laconic manner: then, after a few moments’ silence, she added, “ But if you ever hope to obtain anything from the Prince’s goodnature, depend upon it you are woefully mistaken. He is notoriously the most ungrateful man alive. I wish we could find cat who that lady is.” “Why so?” demanded Page. “ Simply because I have an idea that there's some little intrigue or love affair going on in that quarter, which we might turn to our own advantage,” said Julia. “That lady wears a wedding-riog on her finger—and yet we know she is not the Prince's wife. Besides, in the corner of her white cambrie pocket-handkerchief there is asmal] coronet stamped in gold-leaf or something of the kind; and so I sup- y EOMICHOOOKS.Com