The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 81: what you’re looking at

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6 the middle of the avenue at the same moment: “I could swear that I heard a rustling again in this thicket of evergreens on the right hand !” “The same circumstance likewise struck me,” said Venetia, with unruffed composure. “But if you have been rmcounting to my ears some secret the revelation of which may involve your- self in an unpleasant dilemma, I pray you to ob- serve that I did not seek this confidence on your “You speak, Miss Trelawney,” replied the Colo- noel, in a trembliog tone, “as if you really wanted your words to reach the ears of listeners, if such there be amongst those evergreens.” “I again declare, Colonel Malpas,” said Vene- tia, with a calmness and an indifference that were most acutely galling to those feelings that had just rendered his voice termulous with increasing petulance, mortification, and rage,—“I again de- clare that I attach no importance whatsoever to the romance with which you have been su kindly endeavouring to amuse me, doubtless for want of other topics of interest.” “Mies Trelawney,” said the Colonel, in a voice that trembled more and more—while he slowly led her along the avenue, all thought of the rust- ling in the bushes having fled from his memory in the deepening excitement to which his feelings were thus subjected,—“ Miss Trelawney, do you mean me to understand that you do not believe the truth of the communication I have ventured to breathe to your ears ?” “I will answer you frankly and candid'y, sir,” responded Venetia, looking straight forward as she walked by his side with her hand jast : esting upon his arm. “You teil me of a party of indivi- duals who have made me the subject of some wager which you yourself denounce in the strongest terms: and yet you inform me io the same breath that these persons are all intimate friends of your own, and whose intimacy you do not choose to abandon on that account. I must either suppose, then, that you openly wink at their bad proceed- ings, while in private you speak so emphatically to me—or that you yourself are one of the indivi- duals who have made me the subject of their wager, and that you are betraying your fellow- conspirators. Now, in either case, Colonel ° pas, your character as a man of honour would not be enhanced in my estimation: and therefore, as [ cannot of coarse turn round epor you, and say that you are a false traitor in one way or the other, I must of course treat the whole rhodomon- tade as a pleasant romance which your fertile brain has conceived in order to while away the time.” “Miss Trelawney,” said the Colonel, trembling with concentrated fury, “you make but a bad re- tarn for my confidence and my good intentions.” “Bat I did not seek your confidence, sir,” re- plied Venetia,’in that tone which conveyed re- monstrance and rebuke in ite very calmness : “ and [ can give you np credit for good intentions.” Miss Trelawney,” rejoined Colonel Malpas, in @ voice that was low, but deeply accentuated, “ you had better make me your friend than your enemy.” “ If you dare to addrees me in this manner, sir,” exclaimed Venetia, stopping short in the middle of the avenue—wi'hdrawing ber hand from hie arm—-"nd b n*ing upon Lim a lock that was full Ds _— =’ ent = IHRE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. of dignity,—“I should do well to seek the prutec- tion of Lady Wenlock, who I am oertain d:a not present you to me with the anticipation thas y should experience this unmanly conduct at yon: hands.” ‘“ Miss Trelawney, you are too sensible to create @ scene—I know you are—I am sure of it,” said the Colonel, surveying her with a malignant sneer. “ And therefore you may as well learn at once the truth from my lips,—which is that I love and adore you, and that I will compel you—aye, compel you —to look favourably upon me in retarn! Now, understand me, Miss Trelawney—I have set my whole soul—my very life—upon one enterprise: and that is, to achieve your conquest, haanghty beauty that you are! By fair means or by foul, f will accomplish my aim——Ah! you may think to scorch me with the indignant looks of those flash- ipg eyes—or to overwhelm me with that disdain which you have at this moment assumed! But I will act as an unscrupulous ruffian—I will play a fiend’s part—I will even out-herod all the scoundrels that ever yet practised their scoundrelism again# woman,—yes, all this will I do if you force me te extremes! For I will destroy your reputation—I will blast your fame—I will whisper to one and breathé in the ear of another that I have possessed you—that you are my mistress—that I am secretly blessed with your favours—-aye, and I will even forge amatory epistles, signed by your name, to show confidentially to my friends as proofs of all the tales that I shall thus whisper concerning thee! This is the course which I will pursue, Miss Trelawney: and even though you may be the purest of virgins, yet will I bring you to be looked upon as the niost profligate of Messalivas. Now, then—you know the natyre of the warfare which I am resolved to wage. I give you one fortnight to deliberate: and, if by mid-day on the second Wed- nesday from this date, I do not receive a favour- able letter from you, I will at once enter without pity and without remorse upon this ¢remendous crusade which I have shadowed out for your con- templation.” The Colonel] ceased—and stood with fulded arm¢s in the presence of Venetia Trelawney. TIlis coun- tenance was deadly pale—his lips were ashy white and quivering: it was evident that he was botir astonished and alarmed at his own immense audacity in the part to the fall performance or which he had worked himself up. His whole ap- pearance was that of acoward whom circumstancer have for the moment imbued with the courage 0 desperation, but who can still scarcely believe tha he has actually and positively done the deed the effect of which he pauses to contemplate. But how had Venetia Trelawney received tha matchless outpouring of scoundrelism—that atro ° cious complicatiog of diabolical menaces? A: first she had listened in cold contempt—then wit fiery indignation—then with superb disdain—nex in utter amazement—and lastly with haughty de- fiance: but never for a single moment with fear or: dismay. Nothing could exceed the perfect gran- deur of her beauty as she stood gazing in silence, but collectedly and undauntedly, upon that man who had developed by degrees the sneaking paltri- ness of his disposition, aud had attained a climar of villany by a rapid transition into the character of a cowardly rouffan. " Pe CONNEC MOO SS COMM