The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “‘ None, my lady,” responded Frank. “Then what has made you so long? Surely his lordship could not have detained yon all this time ?” “ His lordship detained me a considerable time, please your ladyship, as the Duke of Harcourt called in Portman Square while I was waiting.” “But you have been nearly three hours absent,” continued Lady Saxondale, regarding her watch. “Surely the Duke of Harcourt did not pay a visit his house. of such length as to account for so much time. I The reader will have observed that Frank Paton | suppose that Lord Petersfield himself kept you in said nothing to his sister about his amour with | conversation. Indeed, I know that his lordship is Juliana Farefield. In the first place it was not a | somewhat interested in you, an acoount of your gabject on whieh « mere youth, still timid and bash» . orphan condition and your extreme youth. What fal from no very large experienes of the world, was | did his lordship say ?”’—and Lady Saxondale pus likely to touch upon in the presence of an elder | the question point blank. “J am separated from him. But look not so suddenly grave, dear Frank: it was through no fault of mine. However, we have not time to con- verse any longer now. We must separate. Em- brace me, dear brother. I shall long for to-morrow afternoon to come, that we may be re-united.” They kissed each other affectionately, and then took their departure—but not before they had ex- pressed their thanke to the worthy tradesman who had so kindly and considerately invited them into & ° e “ His lordahip,” returned Frank, “kindly stated oasness he had ‘been so disposed, there was not time | that he would procure me a Government situe- in the hurry of discourse and excitement of feelings attendant upon that first encounter after a sepe tion P** “And of course you agreed to accept it? Why ration of six long years. While however he was | do you hesitate to answer me? You surely cannot returning home to Gaxondale House, the image of Juliana Farefield crept into his mind; and though . be 20 blimd to your own interests as to refuse such : an eligible offer? Besides, a proposal coming from on the one hand he was rejoiced at the prospect of a great nobleman like Lord Petersfield, amounts thenceforth living with his sister, who by her ap | to a edminand; and such a command is to be pearance seemed to be in very cumfortable circum- Juliana with an enthusiastic devotion,—loved her not only for her splendid beauty, but likewise with @ feeling of that she should have learnt to obeyed by one in your position. Still you remain silent? What is.the meaning of this? If you have not given his lordship.a decisive answer, you shonld do so ab once.” “Please yoar ladyship,” ssid Hrank, at length silence, “there is somse one whom I must breaking consult before I ean pledge myself to e particular love him, a humble page! He loved her too, because | course. Bat I hope that I shall not be thought she had recognized in him a gentility above his social pesition—had delicately complimented him on bie intellectual acquirementse—and had done all she could to make him feel that he ought not to be humble, and and menial as he was. He therefore felt that by this love of her’s he had been im some sense elevated from his lowly station ; end as hor impussioned endearments had been lavished upon him precisely as if he were her equal 4n all respects, he experienced a degree of devotion towards her which now rendered {t painful to con- template a separation. While thus giving way to his reflections, Frank Paton reached Saxondale House; and then for the first time he bethought himself that he had not esked Lord Peterdficld if he had any letter or mes- sage to send batk. Not knowing exactly what an- swer to give her ladyship if questioned on the sub- fect, Frank thought that the best plan would be not to signify his return at all: but scarcely had he made up his mind to this course, when one of the footmen told him that her ladyship’s instructions | Sax were that the instant he returned he was to go up te her. Frank accordingly ascended to the drawing-room, where her ladyship was seated; and he could not help thinking, by the earnest manner in which she fixed her éyes upon hit, that the suspected a secret understanding had sabsisted between himself and Juliana. ‘For not actually knowing what had oc- ‘eurred after he had left Juliana’s room, he had no precise information on the subject—nothing beyond ungrateful for any intended kindness on his lord- ship’s part, because I act deliberately.” “And pray whom must you consult?’ asked Lady Saxondale, for the moment struck with the idea that he was thinking of Juliana; and the crimson glow of indignation ruehed to her cheeks at the bare thought that he was thus hardy enough to allude to the young lacy mm her own mother’s presence. ‘Please your ladyship,” answered Frank, “I have this day met net my sister, whom I had not seen a Xen ay led hee ae tT met hep jast now. To teil the truth, it was because I re- mained conversmg with her that I have been so long absent. She wishes me to leave your ladyship’s service and go to her to-morrow, as she is herself comfurtably off.” “And pray who is your sister?” asked Lady ondale, “Here is her card,” replied Frank, “with her name and addreas:”— and anticipating not the elightest harm in produsing it, he handed the card to his mistress. Lady Saxondale took it: but the instant her eyes fell upon it, she geve vent to an ejaculation of astonishment, and her look became indescribably strange, with a blending of malignant mockery, scorn, contempt, and triumph. Frank felt fright- ened, and knew not what to think. ‘there conjecture and apprehension. “ And this person—this woman,” said Lady Sex- “ Have you brought back any letter or message?” ondale, with accents of bitter irony as she pointed asked Lady Saxondule. | to the card, “is your sister ?” ( eel eee as me _ aed ei —. -_ TAT, ARTES ASS | GR rue re ey -_ a_i ECOMICHOOOlKS.Cconn