The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 205: what you’re looking at

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194 TH MYSTERIES OF TITR COURT. giving flavour to the rich juice of the grape :”— and Lord Harold Staunton laughed wildly, almost with a maniac laugh, as he thus spoke. “Now let this interview end,” said Lady Saxon- -maid says she isn’t to take her orders from me; and there’s the butler just refused me a botile of cordial, saying I must get your order. Of course they are encouraged to do this. They see how that dale, rising from the sofa: and despite the calm | jackanapes ‘Edmund treats me—how that minx and dignified reserve, mingled with a slight expres- | Juliana behaves to me——but I won’t put up with sion of pity, which she wore outwardly, she was | it; and now I am going to have things settled.” evidently not free from alarm within. “In what way, Mabel? in what way?” asked “Is it possible that you are serious and sternly | Lady Saxondale, gradually becoming deeply grave resolved in treating me thus?” cried Lord Harold, in | and ominously reflective. a wild mournful voice. “Woman, I havebecomea; “Qh! I will soon tell you what I mean,” re- murderer for your sake! Yes—I tell you again that joined the housekeeper insolently. “I will have you I knew it was you the instant I received the letter | summon the whole of the servants up into this containing the name yesterday morning. Andknow- room within the hour that’s passing——yes, this ing it to be you, I did not to-day engage your son as | night I mean—and you will tell them all that you my second—I did not even communicate tohim the insist upon their obeying me just as they do your- fact that a duel was pending. See, then, all the self. Now, that’s what I will have done without © Gye. tas : s+ consideration I have manifested, in addition to the crime which I have perpetrated on your behalf! , And now——” “Tsay, my lord,” interrupted Lady Saxondale, “that this inverview must end!” “‘ No—the interview cannot end: but the foolish and insensate portion of it shall!” exclaimed Lord Harold: and with wide-extended arms, he sprang forward to clasp Lady Saxondale in his embrace. A half-suppressed shriek escaped her lips as she retreated to the bell-pull: but at that very instant the dour flew open, and in rushed Mabel the house- keeper, her countenance purple with rage. *“ Save me—save me, Mabel, from this maniac!” cried Lady Saxondale, as if joyously catching at the circumstance of the woman’s opportune appearance, and not choosing to notice her wrathful looks. “Eh—what ?” screamed forth Mabel. “ Lord Harold, who killed Deveril this morning! Hoe here !” —and the woman looked unfeignedly astonished. Lord Harold’s extended arms dropped to his sides as if paralysed. He stood confounded for a few moments, uncertain how to act. He dared not pur- sue his present object any farther: for all in an instant it flashed to him that if a disturbance were . created in the house, it might end by his falling into the hands of justico—and he by no means relished the idea of being committed to Newgate to take his trial for the disastrous issue of the duel. He therefore saw the necessity of yielding to cir- cumstances; and advancing towards Lady Saxon- dale, he said in a quick hoarse whisper, “ We shall speedily meet again:”—then rushing past Mabel, he quitted the room, and soon afterwards the house, “Your coming was most fortunate,” said Lady Saxondale, ondeavouring to make the incident itself availablo for the use of language to propitiate the woman. “I do most sincerely thank you.” “Thank me, indeed! there's nothing to thank me for,” cried Mabel. “I didn’t come for that: how did I know what was going on? And really,” she added, with a eneer, “your ladyship scems to ke very unfortunate just at present: everybody is per- secuting you with love-overtures. First poor De- veril, who has been killed: secondly, this Staunton, who killed him! It’s really a strange coincidence! But it wasn’t for that I came: ‘twas to tell you that things are getting every day worse and worse with me. The conduct of the servants is unbearable.” “ What has happened now, Mabel?” asked Lady , Saxondale. “ What's happened? Why, that hussey the 7a ewe - a. @&» eee = ~~ — =e 602 = oe ‘ Indyship. “I do indeed any more delay.” , ** Well, Mabel, whatever you desire shall be dune,” answered Lady Saxondale in a deeper and more subdued tone than she was wont to adopt. “ But allow me to suggest that it will be more dignified on your pert if you appear quite cool and collected in the presence of the assembled servants.” “Oh! then you don’t object to what I propose ?” ‘said the housekeeper, considerably mollified by Lady Saxondale’s conciliatory words. “All I want is to be put on a proper footing ——”’ * And so you shall be, Mabel,” at once replied her perceive now that authority is not sufficiently established. I will call all the servants together, and give them such in- structions as shall satisfy you for the future. But when [ think of it,” she added, glancing towards the time-piece on the mantel, “it is somewhat late to take such an important step to-night. It is haif- past eleven. Some of the servanta may already be in bed—those who get up earliest in the morning. Suppose I do what you wish immediately after breakfast? That is the better time for settling do- mestic matters.” Well, since your ladyship takes such a just and proper view of the matter,” observed Mabel, now completely appeased, “I think it would be better to wait till the morning ” “ And I tell you what you shall do, Mabel,” con- tinued Lady Saxondale. “In order to give greater effect to the proceeding, it shall appear as if you had really been making serious complaints to me; and I will read the whole of tho servants such a humiliat- ing lecture in your presence, that they shall never dare dispute your authority again.” “I was always sure that you would not see your faithful sorvant ill-treated,” rejoined Mabel, who began to feel all the love of former days revive to- wards her mistress. “I shall now sleep comfort- ably to-night—which I have not done for a very long time. Good night, my lady—God bless your ladyship !” “ Good night, Mabel—I hope you will sleep com- fortably.”” The housekeeper left the room; and as the door closed behind her, a gloomy look gradually settled upon the countenance of Lady Saxondale—a look as ominous in its expression as that which she wore oa the last occasion of her quarrel with Mabel, and which was related in a recent chapter. It was past midnight when the carriage returned with Juliana and Constance, who had been to ® COMM ElOOO te A (CO