The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 264: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTREIRS OF THE COURT. 2538 “Vell, come, I will tell you, as you are older than me and quite a woman now, and therefore maust know that such things are done.” “ I suppose you mean that you have a mistress ?” enid Juliana. “That's exactly what if is. Such a sweet pretty creature! I am sure you would like to see her.” “How can you say soP’ exclaimed Julians, af- fecting indignation. “And Vlorima—what would she think P”’ “Oh! bother, she needn’t know it. But I can tell you that it was quite a series of romantic adven- tures that threw Emily in my way,” continued Ed- mund, whom liquor had made boastful and gar- rulous. “ Now do listen, Julie—it ie such fun. The know-——= celebrated ehe lived in a sweet little villa up beyond Holloway —the Seven Sisters’ Road, they call the place. I dare eay you know nothing about i¢: but it’s a beautiful part of the suburbs. Well, pursuing ray inquiries “Why do you cry out like that?” asked looking at his aister with surprise. “ Have I frightened you with the portrait? I shall astonish you now with what I’m going to tell you. I was fuol enough to employ this harridan to be a go- between for me and the supposed Angela—I say ewp- posed, beacause it wasn't Angela who lived at the villa after all—but beautiful Emily Archer, whose dramatic name is Mademoiselle D’ Alembert.” “Well, but what about this woman?” asked Juliana. “ You have interested me in her—I fancy you found her capable of any treachary or mischief your descriptioa-——"” “Treachery |” echoed Edmund. “I don’t know what the deuce it was: but in the middle of the night—for I went to sleep at her cottage—she sud- denly came and awoke me, and in a strange state of excitement bandled me out of the place. I really did think I eaw a dagger in her hand: but it might have been fancy. Well, after thas, I fell in with seven mounted highwaymen, led by a woman re} Ab!” ejaculated ~ on.’ “T have not the slightest doubt she was the one that stopped Marlow end Malton,” contmued Ed- mund: “ for she called herself Captain Chandos to “The female highwayman indeed!” observed Juhana, who axperienced a sad sickening at. the heart, as she remembered that this was the sister of her woch-luved Francis Paton, “Yes: but if she had been alone, ahe wouldn't have succeeded eo well, I can tell you,” exclaimed Lord Saxondale. “But with five ruffians to back her-——” “ Tthought you said seven,” remarked Juliana. “Ah! five or seven, they were quite enough to overpower me in spite of the desperate resistance I made. I think I must have nearly done for one of them, and seriously injured another. You don’t know how I fought--——” “ But that strange woman,” said J uliana-—“ where did you tell me ahe lived? Do you know, my dear Edmund, I am very much interested in these adven- tures of your's: so you must tell me all the details. In the Seven Bisters’ Road, you say ?” “Just in that neighbourhood. The harridan’s cottage is situated in a field upon the left as you go up—not far from Horneey Wood Tavern. It's a lonely and queer place. But why do you ask so many questions? Are you anxious to visit the scene of my adventures P” ‘“‘ Heaven forbid! Bat you had better go up- stairs now and lie down: you look very much in wantof rest. I dare say we shall have an oppor- tunity presently of renewing our chat.” “Well, I do feel uncommon seedy,” rejoined Ed- mund, with another terrific yawn: “so I will take advice.” Thus speaking he quitted the dining-room where this colloquy had taken place: but Juliana re- mained there for a few minutes to reflect upon all she had just heard. She was determined to see this woman: of whom she and her brother had been two reasons for resolving upon this course: first, that she might endeavour to the mysterious connexion be- showed her the neceasity of waiting till she had as- certained the precise hour when the travelling- carriage was to be at the front-door on the morrow. Moreover, even if she were at once acquainted with this fact, sho still saw the prudence of delay, be- cause if she went so soon, the woman might take it into her head to call upon Lady Saxonddale im- mediately afterwards, instead of waiting till the hour when Juliana meant to tell her to be at the house—end if she did thus call prematurely, the young ledy’s scheme might be defeated. Therefore, having well reflected upon the matter, Juliana resalved to postpone until the evening her contem- plated visit. We need not dwell upon any farther details in Lady Saxondale over Constance throughout this contrived, unseen by her mother, to make another significant sign indicative of hope. Constance there- fore eaw that her sister either suspected, or had by some means, ascertained the precise cause and na- ture of this vigilance which their mother was ex- excising over her, aad that she was secretly working sem’ in, iin el ium po cam no gen, mene nae a PE Guamprmeampe er © eee = ~ ert 2@8-—emee @ © 8 Ge Ge © = GON GoOO