The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 241: what you’re looking at

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230 4 Bhe is, my lady,” responded the young page, fixing his fine large hazel eyes upon his mistress in a terrified manner. “Then listen, Francis Paton,” continued Lady Baxondale, now speaking in a low deep voice and with a look that was nearly inscrutable. “This woman whom you claim as your sister—to whom yoa are to return to-morrow—and whom you must consult ere accepting his lordship’s proffer, is a female highwayman !” Frank gave vent to s wild ory—almost amounting to a shrieck—as this announcement met his ears: but the next instant rejecting with horror the possibility of belief in euch an allegation, he eaid angrily and proudly, “Your ladyship is mis- taken: it cannot be!” At this moment the door was thrown open, and the footman announced Mr. Mariow. Thereupon Frank was about to withdraw; but Ledy gaxondale beckoned him to remain: then turning quickly to ‘the lawyer, she enid, “I think Iam not mistaken, Mr. Marlow, in my belief that the female whose name and address are upon this card, is the same who, disguised in man’s apparel, stopped you and Mr. Malton P” “ The very came !” ejaculated the volatile lawyer, as he half snatched the card from Lady Saxondale’s hand. “Mrs. Chandos, to be sure! She is a most extraordinary the of old Nick himself— y beat me at Dover. I can’t conceive how it was done! that’s a mystery I would give a thousand to have cleared up. Did your ladyship ever happen to read the exami- nation at the Town Hall at Dover? It never got into the London papers, but was reported at full length in the Dover Chronicle. I out the slip out— and here it is.” While thus rattling on in his usual style, Mr. Marlow took out his pocket-book—turned over a quantity of papers—and selecting the slip he alluded to, was handing it to Lady Saxondale, when Frank, arith a sort of ery of rage and despair, darted for- ward, snatched it from the astounded attorney, aud hurrying to the farther extremity of the room, greedily and anxiously ran his eyes over the printed report. It gave, with singular minutenesgs and ac- omeey, such a description of the Mrs. Chandos therein mentioned, that the young page could not possibly fail to recognise his sister. His cheeks became the colour of marble—his lips grew white and overpowered with anguish, he sank upon @ seat. But still he read.on. Then THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. citement, to enatch up a paper whieh was being handed to his mistress. “Ah!” said Mr. Marlow, “it looks all very fine in the certainly the case was mysterious enough. But when I tell I have really no means of proving it after all that took place at Dover—I am aa firmly convincad of the identity--—But I do not wish to hurt your feelings, young man: indeed I am sorry for you. For not- withstanding the rudeness you have just shown-— which excitement was however perhaps natural enough under the cireumstances—-I have always taken you for a nice and well-behaved jad.” “ Now listen, Francis Paton,” eaid Lady Saxon- dale, assuming an air and a voice of mingled com- must leave: but the reason need not be known. I will not expose you: your scoret shall not pass my condition of such forbearance is that you take your hat and quit the house at once, without peusing yourselt about it. Now, do you understand me? and do you promise obedience to these conditions? Otherwise you will force me to expose you befos the entire household.” The poor youth was overwhelmed with mingled consternation and bewilderment, as Ledy Saxcodale addressed him in these terms. Her look and ber manner gave to the whole affair s portentous mag- nitude but too well calculated to produce such an astounding effect upon the unhappy Frank Paton. His senses seemed to be lost in the crushing i fluence that thus came upon bim like a spell. a moment he sought to raise his voice to vi his sister: but the words he would have refuted your allegation, that you were wrong, end was dismissed by the Mayor.” highwayman,—which explanation was indeed neces- sary to account for that extraordinary conduct of a low, he slowly dragged hizsel from the room. livery-page who had thus dared, with so much ex- young man,” he added in a compassionating tone, “to follow her suggestions at once.” Frank dared not disobey: the spell which was a stu look of In the landing outside he met Juliana Farefield, COMNMIC NOOK CO