The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 276: what you’re looking at

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to make av impression. And now, Jules,” con- tinued the Prefect,—“ and now what will you think when I tell you that this is the very night on which Julia Owen and Jocelyn Loftus are thus to meet. Yes—this very night is the curtain to rise upon the first act of the well-conceived drama: and indeed,” added the Prefect, as he consulted his watch, “ it is probable that they have already met—for ‘tis near one in the morning “ But they are not really to escape together f* said Jules Martignac, inquiringly. “Do you think me mad f” exclaimed the Prefect. “ No, no—Jocelyn will remain here as long as his virtue continues stubborn: but if he yield to the temptations of the syren Julia, then may he go about his business—and welcome {” “ And how is the pretended endeavour to escape to be contravened?” asked Jules Martignac, delighted with the whole narrative. “Not a link in the chain of the proceedings is deficient,” responded the Prefect: “everything is duly weighed, considered, and pre-arranged. For instance, the watchman, as he goes his rounds, will suddenly command the lights to be extin- guished in Jocelyn’s chamber. The order will be given authoritatively and accompanied with me- naces: and therefore the light must be put out. Now, what is the result! The young gentleman and the young lady are left together in the dark— and heaven only knows with what wiles, seductions, and blandishments the false Laura Linden will assail her very virtuous companion! At all events, this young man must be something more or leas than human, if he resist the combined influences of such circumstances, temptations, and oppor- tunities !” “I think so too,” observed the Under-Secretary of State, in a laconic tone, but with a salacious smacking of the lips. ‘And therefore, you say that if he does really saccumb either this night, or on some early occasion——” “Oh! once let him sink vanquished and over- come into the arms of Julia Owen,” cried the Pre- fect, “and he can no longer hold up his head as the champion of virtue! Ashamed, disgraced, and de- graded in his own estimation,—pulled down from the pedestal of his austere rectitude and immacnu- late chivalry,—he will either be glad to conceal his diminished head in some solitary nook,—or else, in an access of despair, will plunge deeper into the fount of bliss! And this latter theory is the more probable: for if the wiles, artifices, and seductions of the syren Julia once triumph, he will henceforth yield to the current of so irre- sistible an infatuation and devote all his thoughts to the beautiful mistress whom he will thus have gained—neither thinking of interference with the designs of the Prince Regent on the one hand, nor remaining bent upon contracting an unequal marriage with Louisa Stanley, on the other !” “Ahi then there is an objection to this mar- _ riage, is there ?” exclaimed Jules Martignac. “Yes—I believe so,” responded the Prefect. “But that appears to be altogether a minor con- sideration in comparison with the one grand aim of disarming him as to his interference with the miasion of the Owens.” While the Prefect was yet giving utterance to the iatter portion of this sentence, a valet entered the room: and the moment his master had ceased en ee aaa 263 speaking, the servant advanced and whispered a few words in bie ear. “Good,” said the Prefect; then waiting an instant until the valet had withdrawn, he observed, “ Well, my friends, it is as I had anticipated: for the watch- man has just sent in word that he saw Mr. Loftus examining the window, and that upon raising his voice to command the lights to be put out, he beheld the shadow of a female form reflected upon the op- posite wall, as it flitted across the young English- man’s chamber.” “Oh! happy fellow,” cried the Under-Secretary of State, “if he will but avail himself of the happi- ness within his reach !” The door now again opened: but this time it wae to usher in the Marquis of Leveson, who made his appearance in full evening costume, he having just quitted the mansion of the British Ambassador. As soon as the wonted greetings were exchanged between himeelf and the Prefect, and when also the nobleman had been duly presented to the assembled guests, he glanced significantly at the great police authority as if to inquire what news he had to impart relative to the affair that so particu- larly interested himeelf. “ We are all friends here, my Jord,” said the Pre- fect; “and being all as it were officially connected, there are no secrets between us. My two Secretaries are of course acquainted with all that transpires at the Prefecture: these three gentlemen,” he con- tinued, glancing towards the spies, “hold secret o flices of great trust in connexion with the establish- ment: and that gentleman,” added the Prefect, look- ing towards Jules Martignac, “as the Under-Secre- tary of State for the Home Department, enjoys of course a complete insight into every thing that re- garas the police. But although, my lord, so many persons are thus acquainted with your speciai busi- ness in Paris and with all that regards the mission of the young English ladies in whom you are in terested,—yet the secret itself is as safe as if it were locked up only in your own breast: for the Police Establishment of this great capital sees but with the same eye, hears with but one ear, speaks with but one tongue, and thinks with but one brain. Although consisting of many persons, therefore, it is one great and indivisible whole, and impossible of proving faithless to itself.”’ “I thank your Excellency for these explanations and assurances,” replied Lord Leveson; “and I entertain not the least apprehension for the safety of my secret. Since, then, we are all acquainted with its nature,” he continued, glancing with an urbane smile round the board, “we may discourse without reserve thereon.” “ Most assuredly,” replied the Prefect. “And now, ray lord, I have the pleasure to announee to you, from information which I received a few mo- ments before your lerdship’s arrival, that the grand scheme has reached its crisis—the point at which it will either succeed speedily, or fail sig- nally t” “Ah!” exclaimed the Marquis, his countenance lighting up with joy: “do you mean really to tell me that Julia Owen is at this moment with your prisoner? ‘This is excellent, especially as i have brought some one with me ——” * Did I not assure your lordship this morning,” interrupted the Prefect, not heeding the last words of the nubleman, “that it would be for to-night ?° OF THE COURT. ECOMICHOOolKS.conn