The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 258: what you’re looking at

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

— THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 247 a eee a a SSS e had abandoned herself up to the pleasures of « | ehame that she has not even kad? the decency, the guilty love with Francis PatonP Yes: nor had | delicacy, or the consideration to conceal her frailty Juliana concealed from her the discovery of her | from you. Do not attempt to deny it, Constance,* armour by Lady Saxondale, and the flight of the | added Lady Saxondale, impetuously; “I can read page from the mansion. Thus was it that | vour thoughts upon your countenance as plainly as Sonstance had the evil examples of a mother and a sister before her eyes; and as she contemplated them, it was natural that her own imagination should be excited. Therefore was it that with the delicacy which had at first characterised the love of Constance Farefield, thoughts and feelings of a grosser contexture imperceptibly and insidiously blended themselves; and she looked forward with impatience for the day that was to make her the Marquis of Villebolle’s own. While thus giving way to her reflections, as she eat half reclining upon the sofa, the door opened, and Lady Saxondale entered the room. Constance blushed for a moment, fearing lest her thoughts should be penetrated by the keen eye of her mother: but instantly recovering her self-possession,—for she also was rapidly becoming an adept in hypo- crisy,—ehe made room for Lady Saxondale to «it down by her side. And now she observed that her mother’s looks were grave and serious, almost to solemnity; and she rapidly thew a mental retro- «pection over recent incidents in connexion with herself, to ascertain whether anything could have possibly betrayed her secret meetings and cor- respondence with the Marquis of Villebelle. “My dear Constance,” said Lady Saxondale, fixing her eyesin « scrutinising manner upon her, ** it is my purpose to leave town almost immediately and pass two or three months at the Castle in Lin- colnshire. Of course you will be prepared to ac- Company me f” “When do you think of leaving ?” asked Con- stance, for a moment taken aback by this announce- ment, yet again speedily recovering herself. “The day after to-morrow,” replied Lady Saxon- dale. “But isnot this resolve somewhat hasty on your pert, my dear mamma P”’ asked Constance. if they were printed in a book.” The young lady made no answer: she looked con- fused and ashamed—indeed well nigh overwhelmed ; and her looks fell beneath those of her mother: for she felt that there was a guiltiness even in being tho confidante in her sister’s guilt. She felt too that she would not have thus been made a confidante at all, were she not of a kindred spirit, or else having some love-secret of her own; and all these things she naturally perceived at a glance must be fathomed by her mother. “ Now, Cunstance,” said Lady Saxondale, “I wish to have some serious conversation with you. Ed- mund rebels against me—Juliana flies in my face. Tell me at once, that I may either have something to console me or else know the worst this moment, —-tell me, I say, are you still my own good, kind, obedient daughter ? or are you prepared to imitate the example of your brother and sister ?” “Oh, my dear mamma!” exclaimed Constanes, ing her mother’s hand and carrying it to her lips, while the tears streamed down her face, “do not think too bad of Edmund and Juliana—make allowances for them——” “It is of yourself, Constance, that I am speak- ing now. Let there be no evasion. In what lighs am I to regard you?—as a dutiful or a rebellious child? as one who will minister to your mother’s consolation, or help with the rest to break her heart ?’” “ How can you ask me?” murmured Constance, profoundly touched by Lady Saxondale’s words. “Would to heaven that I could see you happy !” “Then I take this as an assurance that you are my own dutiful Constance still :”—and Lady Saton- dale kissed her daughter upon the forehead. “But let me put your filial obedience to the test. Con- stance,” she suddenly exclaimed, “look me in the “It may be so: but I am sick and wearied of | face! There——like that——and now answer me London life. The truth is, Constance, I am not | ———anewer me, I say, as if you were replying to happy. I foar that I have cherished rebellious ehildren——” “Oh, you must not speak thus!” interrupted the young lady, touched by the mournfulness of her mother’s tones and looks. “I hope that you do not include me in this sweeping accusatiun?”’ Alas, I em weil aware that Edmund 1s not quite so steady as he ought to be——” “ No—very, very far from it!” ejaculated Lady Saxondale: then with exceeding bitterness, she went on tosay, “ You know not all that I have suf- cruelties towards myself——But enough upon that head!” she added with a haughty bridling up. “t is not for me to complain thus of a son to a daughter. Constance,”—and now Lady Saxondale fixed her eyes with a peculiar earnestness upon her your God——answer me, and say whether you your- self are still the pure, chaste, and innocent being which I love to think you are? or whether you also are fallen and disgraced ?” A quick blush suffused itself over the young lady’s countenance—but her looks quailed not be- neath those of her mother: and she replied, “I take heaven to witness that I am as you love to think me!” “T believe you, Constance—I believe you,” was Lady Saxondale’s rapid response. “ But now I wish to touch upon another subject. From Juliana’s own lips,” she continued more slowly, “did I learn that . you bothoverheard a conversation which the other day took place between myself and an impertinent in- trusive old vulgarian named Gunthorpe. Was this proper on your pert, Constance ? was it kind, was youngest child,—“ tell me candidly, are you alto- | generous, to become an eaves-dropper in respect to in Juliana’s confidence? Ah! that tell-/| the affairs of your own parent? But I will not re- tale bluah—that sudden start——” proach you for that fault, inasmuch as you have “Dear mother, what do you mean?” ejaculated | now given me the assurance of dutecus and filiel Constance, frightened at the change which had sud- | obedience. It is done: if cannot be recalled. Bub ac=uly swept over Lady Saxondale’s countenance. “I mean that Juliana is so shameless in her ' Mr. Gunthorpe om that occasinn thought fi to hurl GON GoOO