The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 343: what you’re looking at

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$32 f ing look to his face: his lips were compressed—and —— — aie though the nature of-his thoughts could not be decyphered, yet was it full evident that it was no agreeable tupic on which he was pondering. The doctor, finding that he did not renew the cunversa- tion, threw himself back in his corner of the car- Tiage, and gave way to his own reflections. He thought of the discovery he had made in respect to the anatomized corpse—-his visit te Bob Shakerly at the knacker’s yard—the old man whom he had taken into his house: and he thought likewise, as indeed he often and deeply thought, of that un- known lady whom he had loved so long, and with such a profound, constant, enduring affection ! The horses went quick ; and in less than half-an- hour from the moment they had started from the physician’s house in Conduit Street, the equipage dashed through the iron gates of the raili fencing the grounds in the midst of which the Earl of Castlemaine’s mansion stood. The gas-lamps were still burning beneath the portico; and the moment the vehicle stopped, the hall-porter opened the front-door. Lord Castlemaine alighted, followed by the doctor; and he led the way up a splendid staircase, into a drawing-room where lights were burning. “Sit down,” said the Earl: “for I must speak to you for afew minutes. Her ladyship,” he continued, after a brief pause, during which he appeared to nerve himself as it were with an effort to give ex- pression to what he was compelled to say, “was taken ill just now on our return from a party at the Duke of Harcourt’s. I do not know that her illness is at all dangerous—I do not think it is:” and his lips curled strangely as he thus spoke—it might be in scorn—it might be with other emotions—but which it was impossible to decide. “At all events, doctor,” he continued, “you will soon ascertain: and observe! I desire that you communicate to me the exact truth.” “ Wherefore, my lord, should you address me in this manner?” asked the physician, with a certain dignity not unblended with indignation in his looks. “Tf you have no faith in me, I cannot consider it an honour that you have called me in upon this occasion.” “‘ My dear Dr. Ferney, you must not be angry with me,” said the Earl of Castlemaine, taking the physician’s hand and pressing it with more warmth than he was generally accustomed to display. “But perhaps you will understand me better presently. You can now ascend to her ladyship’s chamber—you know the wav—TI shall await yo: here.” The poyzicim aseosdin giv guittet the drawing- Poom; ar lorountine tho rest fh rit of stiles, rou ed] edaorvurst soe two Joa, caepetled, ard sca. diddy dee rate] curridurs beaacned af — one to the rigait wies ct tae bude, the other to the lest. Ln the latter, and at the extremity of the of the ante-chamber. Knocking gently, 1t was im- mediately opened by the principal lady’s-maid of the Countess. She was a woman of about forty— highly respectable—discreet and reserved—not given to gossipping nor ecandal—and devotedly attached to her mistress. She was weeping—and, indeed, looked much distreased. The moment the door was opened, the doctor’s ear caught wild and delirious cries; and he recognised the voice of Lady Castle- maine. “Is your mistress very bad, Mrs. Broughton ?” inquired Ferney, as he entered the ante-chamber. _ “Ob, sir—ehe is raving. For God's sake, come!” Mrs. Broughton accordingly led the physician through a sitting-room fitted up with mingled cost- liness and taste—thence into a boudoir furnished in a still more elegant manner—and thence again into a spacious and handsome bed-chamber, where Lady Castlemaine was sitting upon a sofa, giving vent to those delirious cries which the doctor had heard, and struggling with two of her maids. The elegant apparel which she had worn at the ball, had been torn off her—a morning wrapper enveloped her form—bher hair was hanging in disorder over her half-naked shoulders—her face was pale—her fes- tures were distorted: there was frenzy in her looks, and delirium in her ravings. But the moment Dr. Ferney made his appearance, she either recognised him, or else became overawed at the presence of a herself back upon the sofa. Dr. Ferney bade the two junior maids retire for the present, while he remained alone with Lady Castlemaine and Mrs. Broughton. Then he spoke in soothing tones to her ladyship: but she did not appear to comprehend him. She gazed in a sort of vacint wildness upon his countensnce for several minutes: then suddenly placing her hands before hor eyes, she gave a subdued shrick and sank back insensible. “Zhe proper restoratives were admi- nistered; and when the Countess was returning to herself, the other maids were summoned from the adjoining apartment to convey her to her couch Scarcely however was she deposited in the bed, when the ravings of her delirium broke forth anew: and Dr. Ferney wrote a prescription which he desired might be sent off to the nearest chemist’s at once. The two junior maids were again dismissed from the room; and when they had retired, Dr. Ferney, taking advantage of a temporary lull on the unfor- tunate lady’s part, said, “Tell me, Mrs. Broughton, how all this came about.” “ My lord and her ladyship,” replied the woman, scarcely able to subdue her sobs as she spoke, “ re- turned home at about a quarter to two o'clock, from bi iu.court Houre; but the moment her fladyship ni ted trom the carriaze, she was seized with e tuinting tit—and lis lordship taking ber ia his cy eke eee = , aruns, bore her up-stairs to this chamber. | and the corridor leading thither, tne Larl of Castlemaine’s | other maids, not hearing the carriage arrive, were own private chambers were situated: while pre- cisely at the opposite extremity—namely, in the right wing—was the elegant suite of apartments oo- cupied by her ladyship. Dr. Ferney, who knew the way well, turned into the brilliantly lighted corridor Jeading to the rooms of the Countess; and passing by some admirable specimens of sculpture—some im- mense Chinese vases, exhaling perfumes—and some emalivr vues fille.) with fowers, he reached the door nut immediately in attendance. But [ was the first to come hither; and I found his lordship tearing of my lady’s apparel to give her air.”———Here Mrs. Broughton hesitated for a few moments, and then added in a low voice and with hesitating manner, “Soon afterwards his lordship suddenly broke away, saying that he would fetch the doctor: and then, sir, he went for you.” “ I understand,” observed the physician. St eae tir ARs THE MYSTERIES OF THE cotEt. —_ > terre ee ee as i a OO)