The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 28: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 15 the drawing-room, closing the door behind her. The smiles, which had for a moment fled on hear- dng that Mrs. Arbuthnot was not at home, now returned to her countenance ;—and advancing towards the mirror, she surveyed herself with looks -of joyous triumph. But auddenly altering the ex- pression of her features, she aseumed an air of daughty indignation—then of proud defance—and then of cold contempt. Nothing conld be more perfect than the manner in which she thus tutored her charming countenance to put on each succes- sive look—especially as there was no ostensible cause to excite the feelings which those looks ex- pressed. Nor indeed did she experience any such sentiments at the moment: for suddenly bursting into a melodious laugh, which rang merrily through the room, she flung herself upon a sofa, exclaim- ing, “ What an excellent actress I should make !” When her mirth had subsided, Venetia rose and advanced near one of the casements looking upon the street—or rather the Knightsbridge road: and eoncealing herself behind the curtain in such a manner that although she was able to see she could not herself be seen from withont, she re- mained gazing from the casement for some mi- nutes. Bat presently abandoning this position, ahe crossed the room and appraached ope of the open windows facing the park. Here she began to caressa beautiful parrot which stoed upon a .perch: and she likewise spoke playfully to a cou- ple of canary-birds shat were making the air tane- fal from their gilt cages. ‘While thus occupied, Venetia observed that.a gentleman had halted in the park, near the boun- dary-wall of her garden, and. was gazing intently spon her. A sudden flash swept over her ceunte- nance as she thus caught sight of bim: bust - | without moving frqin the window—and indeed, with- \ ‘aut appearing to notice him at all—she continued | to amase herself with the parrot and the canaries. Nevertheless, the veiled and sidelong glance which she fram time to time Aung, with rapid far- tiveness, towards him, enabled her to perceive that he was a fine, tall, ‘handsome man, of dark com- plexion, and apparently about thirty years of age. Although this gentleman who was thus admiring her so steadfastly, was near enough to observe that she was of ravishing beauty, and even to form a very good idea of the particular style of this in- oemparable beauty, supposing him not to have been previously acquainted with it—yet was he too far off to notice either that transient flush which amept over Venetias countenance, or the stolen Jooks which she ever and anon directed tewards bim. There he however stood, gazing up at her ~-while she, affecting to be utterly unconscious of the circumstance, remained at the window, toying most eharmingly with her birds. For the gentleman jn the.park there was some- thing captivating and enchanting to a degree in the scene whieh that open casement .presented to his view. The golden air which appeared to surround shat beauteous woman as witha halo,—the bright _ Mowers that bloomed.in gaud and grandeur on the window-ledge,—the reflection of the powerfullight. in the handsome gilt cages of the birds,—and the soseate back-ground formed by the pink drapery Abowing through the muslin curtains that likewise formed part of the hangings,—all these details made up a picture so sunny, warm, and glowing, one ow we « ES Te EDS eT CET wei EE Sen up OR EP © Ee Sa de OS ¢ Er Gees that the spectator felt every pulse thrilling with o beatific eestacy and his heart throbbing with the blias of ravished emotions. But, ah! all on a sudden an ejagnuiation of dis. may bursts from the lips of Venetia Trelawney— and the cause is at the same instant rendered apparent by the flight .of her green and golden favourite from its superb cage. The parrot has escaped some how or other—and.the whirr of his wings sounds through the sultry, heavy air. But, behold! the fugitive alights upon the garden-wall -—-the gentleman springs forward—and the next moment the bird is safe in. bis custody. Then, as he holds it gently but securely in both hands, he glances up at the window; aad a gracious saluta- tion rewards him for the deed which he has so triumphantly accomplished. “It would almost appear as if some good genius had thus furnished me with an opportunity to ob- tain access to the fair one!” said the gentleman to himself, as he hastened round to the front door of Acacia Cottage: and still he could scarcely be- lieve the evidence of his own senses, so prowiden- tial appeared the accident which all in a moment bridged the gulf that an instant before had yawned between himself and Venetia. The front door was already opened by the time the hero of this little incident reached it—and a livery-servant, both old aad ugly, was standing there to receive the parrot. But the gentleman was not to be thus stayed on the threshold of that fairy-land of which he had hitherto obtained only far-off glimpses, but which he had now acquired a sort of right to enter. “Having had the good fortune to catch the bird,” he said to the footman, “you will permit me the happiness of restering it with my own haads to ite charming mistress.” The domestic bowed an assent, as if at once atruck by the reasonable nature of the demand; and, without uttering a word, he led the way ap a handsome stgircase to the drawing-room. And as the gentleman, still helding -the parrot with a tender care.in his delicately gloved hands, followed the stately domestic, he said to hinaelf with a feel- ing of satisfaction, “ Venetia is at all events re- solved that no opportunity shall be ‘afforded for scandal by the presence of a young or good-look- ing footman in her establishment.” By tho time he had made this reflection, the landing was gained: and as the domestic placed his hand npon the drawing-reom door, he-turned to ask, “Whom shall have the honour to an- pounce ?” The visitor mentioned his name; aad the foot- man immediately shrew open the deor, exclaiming, “The Eark of Carson f° CHAPTER III. MONDAY: OB, THE FIRST SUITOS, Miss TRELAWHBY 2Gvanced to meet the nobleman with a slight flash apon her eheek and a soft tre- rmaulousness throughout her entire ferm : but the first passed immediately away—and the latter was imperceptible. It therefore seemed as if she were influenced by no particular emotions, unless they, were such as were natural under the circumstances? a -— COMIC OOOKS. COM