The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 371: what you’re looking at

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

860 mente, though more than sixteen years have | and then, speedily recovering, said, “ elapsed since I beheld him—and then he was but twelve years old.” “ Bixteen and twelve are twenty-eight—and Adolphus is twenty-eight!” cried Henrietta, with increasing satisfaction. ‘Ah, I see that you love him!” said Mr. Gun- thorpe; “and no matter whether he be the real Lord Everton or not, if he is a worthy young man——” “Alas! consider all his sufferings,’ murmured Henrietta, the tears starting into her eyes. “ For sixtcen years was he the inmate of a place that to iim was a prison. He has seen too little of life to have learnt any of its evil ways.” “That captivity,” observed Mr. Gunthorpe, with a desper gravity than before, “is in itself almost a sufficient proof that he is the real Lord Everton. Oh! what guilt does that man—his uncle—have to answer for! But I must now delay not. Farewell for the present. I shall call again on my way homeward: as I dare say a certain young lady,” he added, looking archly at Henrietta, “ will be anxious to know the result of my interview.” Thus speaking Mr. Gunthorps quitted the room; and was hurrying forth to his carriage, when he recollected that he was not exactly acquainted with the whereabouts of the cottage to which he was about to proceed. He therefore rcturned for the requisite explanation, which Henrictta i gave him. He then entered his vehicle, having directed the coachman whither to The distance was not long; and in a short time the @quipage drove up to the front of Lady Bess’s pic- turesque cottage. We should here remind the reader that Henrietta had not informed either her mother or Mr. Gun- thorpe of the one incident on that memorable night of her release from Beech-Tree Lodge, which had for the time being filled her bosom with injurious suspicions against Lady Bess, whom she only knew as Mrs. Chandos. Consequently Mr. Gunthorpe re wnneTusinted with anything to the prejudice of this amazonian heroine. And the reader must like- wise recullect that Lady Bess had, by her sophistry, explained away those suspicions from Menrictta’s mind, on the first occasion when the young girl called at the cottage. 1 #But to continue our tale. When Mr. Gunthorpe’s carriage drove up to the door, Hosa the servant- woman, immediately came forth; and on the old gentleman giving his name, he was at once intro- duced into the tastefully furnished little parlour : for that name was known at the cottage—and bonourably known too, on account of all that Hen- rietta Leyden had said in connexion with it. Elisabeth Chandos and her brother Francis Paton were alone together in the parlour at the time when Mr. Gunthurpe was thus introduced. They rose to receive him: but they were struck by the singular degree of interest with which he surveyed them. He did not speak a word: his lips moved—it was evident that something unspoken was wavering upon them—but to which he could not give utter- ance. To their farther surprise, mingled with alarm, he tottered to a seat, and sank upon it, saying, “A glass of water—give me a glass of water—I am ill.” There was a decanter on the little sideboard, and Lady Heese, hastening to fill a tumbler, presented it to Mr. Gunthorpe, who merely drank a few drops— ri MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. Forgive the trouble I am oceasioning: but the heat of the weather is quite overpowering. I felt as if I were about to faint.” “Do you feel better now, sir?” asked Lady Bess in a kind voice. “Is there anything we can do for you? Frank, run and get up some wine——” “No: do not give yourself the trouble,” exclaimed Mr. Gunthorpe. “I never touch it in the middle of the day———-Besides, I am altogether well now Where is your guest—Lord Everton I mean——” “He is in his own room,” said Frank. “I will fetch him. He was with us a few minutes baek——_."? “No: do not call him immediately,” said Mr. Ganthorpe. “I wish to say a few words to two:”—and he again looked first at Lady then at Francis Paton—thoen back again at amaszonian lady—with a singular interest in gaze. “You rendered an immense rears to young girl in whom I am interested,” he con tinued after a pause, taking Lady Bese’e hand and pressing it warmly—most warmly—in his own. “ Accept my best thanks for what you did upon the occasion. And now give me your hand, Francis Paton,” he said: and when he received that hand, he pressed it as kindly and as fervently as he had done the sister’s. Lady Bess and Frank had heard from Henrietta rere tricity of conduct he appeared to display on this occasion. They felt that he was a gentleman with whom they could at once find themselves on a friendly and familiar footing; they even experienced sen- timents which seemed to draw them towards him, and give them pleasure at the kindness with which he their hands and bent his looks upon them. But then they had heard euch excellent accounts of him from Henrietta: and therefore it appeared perfectly natural that they should like, and even love, anybody who was good to that artices young maiden whom they buth loved and liked ava sister. “Now, I dare say you will think me a very strange person,” said Mr. Gunthorpe; “but I am sure you will not fancy me an impertinent one, when I ask you a few i Be assured it is entirely in your own interest that I shall interyogste you. You, Francis Paton, have been a page at Lady Saxondale’s—have you not ” “TI have, sir—and likewise at Court,” responded the youth. “ At Court ?” ejaculated Mr. Gunthorpe. * Ahf indeed? And pray by whose interest did you obtain that post P” Frank at his sister to ascertain from her looks what reply he should make; and she at once said for him, “There is every reason to believe, Mr. Gunthorpe, that it was through Lord Petersfield’s interest my brother obtained his appointment in the Royal Household: but it is absolutely certain that through that nobleman’s recommendation he was introduced into the service of Lady Saxondale.” “ Lord Petersfleld—eh P” said Mr. Gunthorpe, in a musing tone. “But I suppose you have some prospects—money to receive—or something of that sort—have you not, Frank ?” EGOHMGOOO CO