The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 328: what you’re looking at

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

| | | | Cee geese ~ “No—I must return to London,” said Deveril; TS Sa Sree sSSUesPenppum-egslnansasenpesamnassintiepartemmenaree THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 317 language continue to pile up mystery upon mys- “and therefore whatever is to pass between us, let | tery.” it take place now. I feel stronger than I was; and I am already interested in the discourse.” “Then have the goodness to answer my questions,” the woman. “On his death-bed my father endeavoured to say something. He was stricken with paralysis, and his speech came with the utmost diffioulty. A few words however I did succeed in catchin “ And those words’ demanded the woman, with an eagerness that contrasted strangely with her usually cold stern imperturbaebility of manner. “Those words were exactly these:—‘ Stro playere—manager—Thompson—coould tell ali.’” “And have you any idea of what those allusions meant ?” “TI can only suppose that inasmuch as my father and mother had originally been connected with a troop of itinerant actors——” “Is your mother alive?’ demanded the woman abruptly. “No: she died between cleven and twelve years “It cannot be helped: I must pursue my own course. And now tell me—if you are acquainted with Lady Saxondale, why have you not called upon her at the castle? why should you be in the neigh- bourhood without eecing her, and yet knowing her ?” Deveril did not immediately answer: he paused to reflect what answer he should.give, or whether lanyatall. While thus deliberating, his eyes settled | upon the woman's countenance; and be beheld such an air of grave decision and solemn importance im- printed there, ing the repulsive harsh- nese of her featares, that he was convinced she had really the deepest meaning in putting all these questions to him. Indeed, she was evidently not @ women who would interrogate him for mere idle euriosity’ssake. In her very rags and in her ugli. ness—aye, even in her sinister looks, there was a certain intellectual «uperiority together with a vigour of purpose apparent through all. He there- fore decided upon answering her queries last put. “ Business with another person brought me into “ What are you doing in the neighbourhood of | this asighbourhood. Who that person is, Ido not. Saxondale Castle?” she now asked, in that peremp- tory way of. her’s which seomed to imply that re- sponses seust be given to her queries. ehoose to naine, and beg that you will notask. [ came not to see Lady Saxondale—and to speak plainly, I do not wish to see her. She has used me “TI cannot permit myself to be questioned any far- | ill.’ ther,” said Deveril coldly. “Yes: but I insist upon having your answers !” exclaimed the woman: then observing that a sudden flush of indignation appeared upon the invalid’s countenance, she immediately added, “ There! now don’t be silly—I did not mean to offend you. It is the way in which I speak. Of course I do not wish to pry into your secret affairs: but if you had been to Saxondale Castle, it is somewhat important that I should know it.” “And how so ?” asked Deveril. - “You must not become the questioner,” replied the woman. “ Do you know Lady Saxondale ?”— and she fixed her eyes with so singular, so peculiar, so earnest a look upon the youth that he felt troubled as if he were being plunged into a vortex of uz fathomable mysteries. “‘Yee—I know her ladyship,” he answered: and he felt urged on thus to answer by a power stronger than himself. “But I hava not been to see her now—nor have I set foot within the walls of Saxondale Castle. Indeed, I was never there in my life.” “ Never !—Ah‘"—and the expression of the woman's countenance now became so exceedingly singular that Deveril started up in the couch. “What in heaven’s name,” he cried, “is the meaning of all this? Why do you look at me thus? To what is this conversation to lead? For God's eake speak—explain yourself! Du you know that you are torturing me cruelly? and I deserve it not a your hands!” “No indeed—you deserve not torture from me— for you have saved my life at the deep risk of your own :”—and the woman spoke with an impressive- ness as as her looks. “Pray believe me when I say that I would not torture you willingly, nor r exaite ite you unnecessarily. Lie down—ouwnpose yourself « It ie impossible 20 long as your looks and your gee eels ee ED wee = o—— Gee ee Oe oe -~_~—_ = lo, — ae ame oo “In what way ?” demanded the woman. “I do not know that there is any necessity for heing reserved on this point,” returned Deveril, “ ance she has told her own tale to ali her acquaint- anges. In a word then, I had for some months past been wont to give lessons in painting to the Hon, Masses Farefield at Sexondale House in Park Lane, London—until her ladyship made improper over- tures towards me——”’ “ Ah!” said the woman, not loud but with a deep and almost subdued sound: and again was there comething extraordinary but most unfathomable ia her looks. ‘‘ Proceed. You rejected these overtures, did you not—did you not P” she asked quickly. “T did: and this was my offence against Lady Saxondale. She proved vindictive,—bitterly, bitterly ‘vindictive—end propagated the vilest calumnies amongst her friends, to the effect that it was J who had made improper advances towards her.” * Let me look you full in the face. There! meet my eyes. Your's quail not. Yee—you are speak- ing truly; there is sincerity in every feature. You are as good as you are beautiful. Nevertheless, look me again full in the face, and repeat that is was not you that made tho overtures.” * As there is a God to judge me,” exclaimed De- veril, with indignant emphasis, “I did not do eo It was her ladyship °” ‘‘Enough—I believe you as firmly as if I had a witness of the whole ecene. Therefore, that occurrence,” continued the woman, “ you went no more to Saxondale House ?” “I went to demand redress, but obtaining none, returned not again. Oh! now, for heaven’s sake, tell me the drift of all these questions!” and De. veril spoke with anxious entroaty. “We must go back,” said the woman, not heed- ing his earnest words nor his pleading looka, “te earlier times. You say your parents were stzulling players ?” +. aommm & eee eee 8 ae COMM ,OOKS.COmM