The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 224: what you’re looking at

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

eising , | che doing ber beet with your guardians to make after breakfast to-morrow morning. _ = | ae: THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “It would be really capital fun,” observed Ed- Sexondale, taking % es euch. “And now teil me, 313 Harold, how is Deveril? have you heard anything | mund, with disgusting flippancy, “to be put in pos- more about him? For I saw by this morning’s paper that the report of his death was inoorrect that he survived—and that the wound is not even mortal, though terribly dangerous.” “I know no more on the subject than yor do,” answered Staunton. “ In fact, I am playing at hide- and-seek till the result developes itself .in one way or another. For of courses until Deveril is pro- nounced completely out of danger, I am liable to arrest at any moment. Bat I want to epesk to you, most “Is it any secret?” asked Edmund, glancing to- wards Emily, whom he was evidently fearful of offending by renrepty her from a knowledge of what was about to be “Jad ta yon may tinh & to decide,” responded Harold. “It i about that lady in the Spanish dress | tery.” that you know of ——— “Ah! at the masquerade?” cried Saxondale. “Oh, no—what earthly necessity can there be for secrecy on thet head? Besides, as I really have no secrets af all from my dear Emily——-” “TI understand,” said Lord Harold: “you have already told Miss Archer everything about that little adventure of mine at the is to say, os far es you are acquainted with it.” “Well, to confess the truth, I have told Emily,” observed Edmund. “But then che is discretion iteelf.”” “ And I do enjoy hearing of intrigues and adven- tures of that hand !” exclaimed the danscuse. “Do tell us, my dear Lord Harold, whether your adven- ture has turned out as you could wish : for we know nothing beyond the fact that m pursuance of a certain note you met some lady at that masquerade. Of course it -is a delicious intzigue—e delightful affair of gallantry! Come, take some champagne, and then tell us all about it. What happened? and who was the fair inamorata f"’ “Now,” resumed Lord Harold after a brief pause, during which he reflected profoundly, “I have not the slightest objection to state the issue of my ad- soover I may say you will not be shocked or annoyed ? | session of any secret which would place my mother m my power. By Jove! she should not bully me then: I would very soon be even with her. There- fore, my dear Staunton, so far from ing me, you could not do me a greater service than by telling me all about this adventure of your's.” “It is too complicated at the present moment,” replied Lord Harold: “and besides which, I want to obtain eome positive proof af the fact that the Spanish Queen at the masquerade was Lady Saxon- dale. In my own mind I know it was—I am morally certain of the identity: but as I did not see her face, she could of course turn round and indig- nantly deny the fact: for you will excuse me for eaying, my dear Edmund, that your lady-mother is not wanting in what may be termed a bold effron- “ Wanting in it!” ejaculated Edmund. “On the contrary, she has got plenty of it. But what sort of proof is it that you require, Harold, in the case we are speaking of?—and can I assist you in any your assistance that I require,” answered Staunton: “and I am sure that you will give it to me all the more readily after what you have been saying—because it is of course very con- venient as well as important for you to get your mother completely under your thumb.” “To be sure! What would you have me do?” “TI suppose that you would not hesitate to avail yourself of an opportunity for searching Ledy Saxon- dale’s wardrobes, and drawers, and cupboards, for them from top to bottom if it is necessary for your purpose.” “It 1s,” rejoined Harold. “Do you not compre- hend ? It we could only find the faney-drem which Lady Saxondale wore at the masquerade, it would be impossible for her to deny her identity with the character of Queen Isabella. The chances are a hundred to one that the dress is secreted some where in her ladyship’s a ts.” “ And if so, I shall be sure to ferret it out,’ ex- In a word, will you give me free permission to speak | claimed Edmund. out frankly ?” “Why, of course,” Saxondale, sur- prised at the question. “If it either of my own sisters, or my ledy-mother, I should like to hear all the “Perhaps your random observation may reach a little nearer home than you imagine,’’ observed Lord Harold. “ Ah! I begin to suspect,” ejaculated Sexondale. “Is it possible that my own lady-mother has taken it into her head to play tricks of this sort? Well, now that I bethink me, it eas exactly her height and Loed Harold. figare——— “ And it was she hereeif !” “This is delightfully amusing !” exclaimed Emily Archer. “You were saying, Edmund, the other day that you wished you had some means of exer- “ Ob, do, my dear Edmund,” said Emily Archer, with witching accents and looks of cajolery. “Iam always afraid that your proud and haughty mother will be separating you from me; and it will bea great relief to my mind to know that you are in possession of a secret which will put her upon her good behaviour.” “I have already promised to do my best in the matter,” Edmund. “I will go home to- morrow and watch for an opportunity to ransack the plac: although, by the bre, I did act intend to show my face there for the next week—for the old housekeeper is dead, and somehow or another T have a great aversion to be beneath the same roof with a dead body. I¢ is not, you know, that I am | in any way frightened; but it seems as if there was | a sickly smell—e nauseating kind of odour. How- & power over your mother, as you know that ; ever, I will return to Saxondale House immediately But still, my | them send you abroad in the diplomatic service or dear Harold, I cannot make all this affair out. else compel you to go and live down at your old | What on earth did my mother meet you ad the castle in Lincolnshire till you come of age.” SPe® 288-9) 4 4 eee Harcourts’ for, after writing that letter—unicss —, COMNMIC OO SS CO