The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 201: what you’re looking at

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

190 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT, the old gentieman’s threats: but William Deveril | Deveril. Lord Harold, much agitated, likewise stood with his arms folded, his looks bent down, his | lent his assistance. The young man’s eyes were pale, and his lips white and quivering. He | closed—his shirt and waistcoat over his right breast and € face said not a word; it was evident that he | were already saturated with blood—his lips moved decply the indignity offered to Mr. Gunthorpe not—the breath of life appeared to waver there no The work, felt the Captain and Mr. Forester, having done their | more! hastened back to the measured ground in| “Fly, fly!” exclaimed the military surgeon: “ he order to hurry on the proceedings as quick as pos- is dead ; It is useless for you to remain.” sible, so as to prevent farther interruption. The| “Dead! My God, is it possible? Dead! no— military surgeon walked up to Mr. Gunthorpe, who | no!” ejaculated Mr. Gunthorpe, who now reached was struggling to emancipate himeeif | the spot: and falling upon his knees, he bent over from his bonds; and producing his brandy-fiask, he | the inanimate form of William Deveril. offered to pour some down the captive’s throat, “in “ Here, sir,” said Mr. Forester. “ You are in- order to scothe him.” But Mr. Gunthorpe bade nocent of any hand in All this—take that key—i him begone with such flerce indignation, that the | opens a desk at poor Deveril’s doctor did not persist in his proposal. you will find certain instructions to be fulfilled. “vor Meanwhile Captain Lennox hed resumed his | God's sake, do not neglect them.” former position, with the white handkerchief ready Thus speaking, Forester thrust the key into the to drop: Lord Harold and William Deveril again | hands of Mr. Gunthorpe, who was : found themselves confronted according to the laws | weeping over the young artist as if his heart would of honour—the signal was given—but only one | break. Forester then sped away, along with Lord pistol was fired. That one was Lord Herold Staun- | Harold Staunton and Captain Lennox,—Mr. Gun- ton’s. Deveril however stood unhurt. thorpe and the surgeon alone remaining with him “You did not fire, sir!’ exclaimed Captain Len- | who had fallen in the duel. nox to the young artist. It must not however be thought that Forester “It was not my intention,” was the latter’s cold | mean®to leave them to as they might but firm reply. “It was not I who provoked this | the matter. He made straight for the spot where duel——” he was to meet his carriage, and ordered it to pro- “Enough! say nothing, Deveril!” interrupted | ceed as near to the field as it possibly could get— Staunton is now satisfied?’ he added, turning | they were to hurry tothe scene, render what ssset- towards that individual. ance they were able in removing the body into the The young nobleman hesitated what reply to | vehicle, and then hold themselves entirely at the give. His better feelings prompted him to answer orders of Mr. Gunthorpe. Having done this, in the affirmative: but the empire which the lady | Forester rejoined Lord Harold and Captain Lennox, of the masquerade had acquired over him, became and hastened away with them in their own vehicle. CHAPTER XLL . MOAR SCENES AT SAXONDALE HOUSE. “T cannot consider it an sct of bravery on Mr , Deveril’s part to abstain from firing,” he said: “but I choose to regard it as a proof that he was | Ir was about half-past ten o'clock at night, when resolved to avoid the chance of a second exchange | the tall form of a man, with a hat slouched over his of shots. Therefore I am not satisfied.” countenance, and muffled in a cloak, advanced hur- “We must proceed, Mr. ercsters” sak! Captain riedly up Park Lane. Considering that it was the Lennox, with cold-blooded laconisn. middie of summer, it was doubtless somewhat sin- downright savage | gular for an individual to be thus apparelled; and butchery and barberous murder!” vociferated Ms. such a superluity as a capacious mantle could only Gunthorpe, now struggling more desperately than | be for the purpose of disguise. 80 thought the po- ever to extricate himself from his bonds. “ Deveril | liceman who was sauntering leisurely down the —Lord Harold-—” street: but in that aristocratic quarter the consta- But here the old gentleman’s throat became #0 | ble could not think of interfering with the object of dry with excitement and hoarseness, that his voice nis notioe. He eet it down as some affair of gal- failed him and he could say no more. try, aad proceeded on his way. Fresh pistols had in the meanwhile been handed niThe maafled Spare dorped a2 the dose of Bexen- to Lord Harold Staunton and William Deveril— | dale House—knoocked and rang—and during the Captain Lennox again took his post—the signal few moments that elepeed ere bis summons was with the white handkerchief was given—and a sharp | answered, answered, appeared excessively impatient and ner- report rang through the morning air. Again was! vous. The door was however soon opened ; and at it Lord Harold's weapon that was alone fired: but | once entering the hall, he himeelf, anti the this time not without effect—for Deveril dropped | fanctions of the porter, shut the door quickly; then upon the grass ! | removing his hat, he revealed the countenance of “You have murdered him!” cried Mr. Gun- Lord Harold Staunton. He likewise threw off his thorpe, now suddenly recovermg hie voice: and cloak,—at the same time saying in an agitated with a superhuman effort he broke away from the manner to the porter, “ Of course you know what gate to which he had been bound. | has ocourred ? Hence this disguise! Is Lord Sas The military surgeon was already rushing to the dale at home?” sput where Forester and Lennox were raising Mr. “No, my lord—he is not,” whe the reply. Cl GOnMGOOOKS (CO