The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 310: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. They were welcomed with every appearance of cor- diality by Lady Saxcundale, and with a real sincerity by Juliana, who was exceedingly glad to have com- pany at the Castle, which to her was dull enough, although Mr. Hawkshaw had called on each of the two since the ball. The quick eye of Lady Saxondale discovered at the first glance that Florina was unhappy and de- sponding in reality, and that the gaiety she assumed was only forced. Her ladyship therefore saw that Fiorina till pined on Deveril’s account; and the pain of her fair young rival was a joy and a triumph to the heart of that vindictive and jealous woman. While alone with Lady Macdonald for a few mo- mente before dinner, Lady Saxondale took the op- portunity of inquiring, apparently in a casual and indifferent manner, if Mr. Deveril had made any further attempts to renew his acquaintance at Cavendish Square since the duel? and she was in- formed that he had not. As a matter of course Lady Saxondale did not openly testify the spite which she cherished against Florine, but treated her with her wonted affability, and as her future daughter-in-law. For it was a source of infinite satisfaction to the vindictive lady to think that Florina, though attached to Deveril, should be sacrificed to her own profligate and worth- less son Edmund. But how had Lady Sexondale and Harold Staun- ton met? With the well-bred ease of persons in their station of life, and to all outward appearance as if nothing unpleasant had ever occurred between them. But as Lady Saxondale had given him her hand on his arrival, the quick glances of deep | meaning which they exchanged, showed that they imagine that they are not sufficient to subdue any rancour which I may have experienced in respect to what is past. I have been vindictive—terribly vindictive; and perhaps I even went too far in re- vealing everything to Edmund. But you must make allowances for the state of mind into which I was thrown. Consider what I had done for you. I had risked my own life—and I had nearly taken the life of another !” “Would that you had effectually done so!’’ ejacu- lated Lady Saxondale bitterly. “ Have you still cause to be so vindictive against Deveril ?” inquired Staunton. “Of course I have been at no loss to comprehend how he merited your anger. For a woman of such grand and magni- ficent beauty as you possess, and who condescended to fix her thoughts upon a miserable obsoure artist, -—for such a woman, I say, to experience a rebuff, was provoking indeed.” “Do not allude to it any more,” interrupted Lady Saxondale, impatiently: for she of course knew that it was uscless to contradict the story to one who had every reason to understand it so tho. roughly. “Pardon me, dear Lady Saxondale,” he replied, “if I dwell upon that topic for a moment; because I wish you to understand me well. I am not sv insensate nor so vain as to believe that you are in love with me. I knuw very well that after having 80 recently set your mind upon Deveril, you can _soarcely, even in the mere caprice of woman, snatch ‘me up to supply his place. Therefore you have some motive in effecting a reconciliation with me. Do be candid, and explain what that motive is.” ‘You will not, then, give me credit for any kind | thoroughly understood each other. On the one! or generous feelings towards you?” said Lady Sax- hand Harold Staunton comprehended that the ondale: “but you think that even in this recon- circumstance of his being includcd in the invitation ciliation I am selfish ?” sent to his aunt and sister, was a proof that Lady; “I cannot think that you entertain the slightest Saxondale to seek a reconciliation with tenderness towards me—particularly after the dread- him: and upon what terms could such reconciliation be effected, save and except on his own conditions? On the other hand, her ladyship perceived that he was quite willing to accept such reconciliation ; and she had therefore no doubt of securing him entirely to her own interest. The dinner was served up at about seven o'clock ; and when the dessert was over a little after eight, ful scene which took place between us at your house. I can therefore only attribute your present conduct to one of two alternatives; and if it were only for curiosity’s sake, I should like to know _ which it is.” “ And those alternatives?” said Lady Saxondale inquiringly. “The first is, that you seck a paramour, and have the party descended into the gardens to walk—for perhaps thought that you might as well take me the evening was beautiful. Lady Mac- into your favour in that light; and the second is, donald, fatigued with the day’s travelling, soon re- that you again wish to avail yourself of my services turned into the Castle. Florina and Juliana kept and do not regard the sacrifice you must make to | together—while Lady Saxondale and Harold were obtain them.”’ thas left to themselves. “ Now tell me, Lord Harold Staunton,” said Lady “ Have I righthy understood your ladyship’s kind- , Saxondale, stopping short and looking him full in ness?’ asked Staunton, gently placing her arm | the face,—“do you take me for a woman who is in his own, and leading her into a secluded avenue. | privately proftigate, though before the world pos- “Tell me what you understand by the term kindness,” responded her ladyship, but with 5 “T candidly confess that until quite recently I ° smile which gave him every encouragement to pro- believed you to be a woman of the strictest prudence | sessing an untarnished reputation P”’ ceed. and propriety: but you yoursclf will allow that I “TI can only conclude that you would not have ‘have no great reason to ftatter myself mow that £ invited me hither,” returned Harold, “unless you shall be the first on whom yor i’ ve bestowed your had made up your mind to atone for your pest favours since your husband s ¢ vath.” eruelty.” “On my soul, F swear to you, Harold,” replied | “Then it is not too late to offer such atone- Lady Saxondale, “that you wrong me! It was a | ment P” said Lady Saxondale in a subdued voice. ‘moment of weakness that led me to make ovortures “You must indeed have but a pvor opinion of to Deveril and place myself in his power. Now, your own charms,” rcjuined Staunton, “if you will you not believo me? I have no object in dev aS a a ee SE i «poe we 2S = Le a ee SS LD a COMM GON GoOO SS