The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 282: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. this young lady entertains the hope of becoming the Marchioness of Willebelle.” The Marquis coldly bowed an assent. “ My lord,” at once resumed Sir John Marston, “*you surely will not compel me to. push this un- pleasant business any farther? The moment I saw that young lady in company with your lordship, I penefrated the object which you had in view: it was scarcely possible to mistake it:—for the young lady will not be offended with me if I ubserve that there is something in her appearance and her whole de- 271 “Ah! she has done this?’ ejaculated Sir John Marston becoming very pale: then, as the colour rushed back to his cheeks with the excitement of rage, he exclaimed, “ No, no-—-J do not believe it! You have possessed yourself by foul means of those documents! Or else they are forgeries which you _have prepared, the better to silence the scruples of your intended victim !”—and now he pointed direct _ towards Miss Constance Farefield. | “Sir John Marston,” exclaimed the Marquis of | Villebelle, “dare to address me in that language meanour which to the man of the world at once , again, and I shall fling the lie in your teeth. Nay, forbids the entertainment of a dishonouring idea.” “Well, sir, I understand what you mean,” said the Marquis. “It occurred to you that this lady is accompanying me to France to honour me with her hand? You see that I am not afraid to speak out. There is no necessity for disguise. It is as you aay.” @ “But is it possible that this young lady,” ex- claimed the baronet, now becoming as much be- wildered as agitated, “ig acquainted with certain particulars——your exact position, I mean——” more—you may consider that I do so now. And there is the door. Depart!” “One word,” said the baranat exercising a strong effort over his feelings. “You may possess the | marriage-certificate—you may possess other doou- | ments connected therewith—bat still the remains the same. It is registered at the Ambas- sador’s chapel in Paris; and so long as that record | does exist, is‘ the marriage binding and valid—an- _ leas indeed a special law should dissolve it. Now, understand me well! I will keep close watch upon “She is, sir,” responded the Marquis. “From! you—I will follow you and this young lady whither- her own lips may you hear the confirmation vf my averment, if you choose.” | “Then there is indeed no necessity for disguise,” quickly observed the baronet. Madam," he added, advancing towards Constance, “ you areaware that you are about to bestow yuur hand upon a person who is already married—that therefore the cere- mony can be but the veriest mockery so far as you yourself are cuncerned—and that in respect to the Marquis himself it will subject him to the penaltios attendant upon bigamy.” you may go—and if you dare attempt to . obtain the solemnisation of a marriage-coremony ‘with her, I will stand forward to forbid ita pro- gress. Ah! I have terrified you now--and you ' begin to perceive that the matter is indéed more “Ob, Sir John Marston?’ exclaimed Oonstanes, now advancing, her hands clasped in earnest en- | treaty, “wherefore interfere with us thus? Your ‘threatened conduct will amount to a bitter perse- eution , disgrace, and ruin will follow ez than you would appear to think it.” =O XPOSUIS Constance felt much distressed at having the |——Oh! sir, I beseech you not ta be thus eruel— matter thus put in so plain and pointed a style; end although it assumed no more serious aspect than it had previously worn tu her knowledge, yet it wounded her keenest sensibilities to have it thus submitted in so cold, deliberate, and business-like @ manner to her contemplation. But conquering her emotions, she said, “I beg, sir, that you will addrees none of your observations to me. As a perfect stranger, you h&ve no right to control my actions:”—and then averting her head, she spoke aside to Mary-Anne. “¥¢ is im possible that thit affair can be allowed to proceed,” resumed Sir John Marston, again turn- ing to Villebelle. “ You are already married—and your wife is altve. It was but yesterday I received documentary proof of this fact. Here,” continued the Baronet, producing a paper from his pocket, “ts a receipt fora certain quarterly allowance which she enjoys, and which receipt was duly forwarded to me by my agent in London. Do you dispute the factP do you doubt it’ he demanded emphati- “I neither dispute nor donbdt it,” responded the | thus merciless. Join your entreaties to mins, Etienne,” she cried, clinging to the arm of her | lover. ‘** No, Constance, I will not gntreat,” the Marquis with firm look and decisive tone. “If Sir John Marston pushes this affair to extremes, he must account to the world—account also to the tri- bunals of justice—” © | “ Beware, my lord: you touch upern the threshold of the secret which you have sworn not to betray !’”’ | “A secret, Etienne?’ echoed Cunstance, with a sudden giance of suspicion and reproachfuiness at her lover. “Sir John Marston merely alludes to the names of those who were interested in that marriage,” was Villebelle’s quick response. “Constance, I have deceived you in nothing. I have told you every- thing except those names ;—and you yourself can tell Sir John Marston the assurance which J gave you—that I honoured the secret in respect to those names—that I deemed it inviolable—and that I did ‘ mot even betray it to you.” “ Lot the names transpire if you will,” exclaimed Marquis: “for within the last few weeks I myself the baronet, with ill-suppreesed fury: “I will pre- have seen the lady to whom you allude. But to- vent this second marriage at all risks———-by heaven, show you the value she attaches to the marriage- I will !” | ceremony which took place between us five years Thus speaking, he turned abruptly away—drew ago, here is the certifieate—here also are other open the door violently—and was about to rush documents connected therewith—all of which she out of the room, when he stopped suddenly short, spontaneously surrendered up to me. Wishing to exclaiming, “Ah! have we spies here P’—for he bad be free herself, she has cheerfully done her utmost Taught sight of the retreating form of Kate Mar- to emancipate me frou the same bonds of thraldom shall as she fiitted away from the vicinage of the which she threw off.” — door. | | comicboo om