The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 386: what you’re looking at

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

THB MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. | 8375 in Lady Macdonald’s opinion than ever? need I as- gure you that she is fully convinced of your inno- , eence and of Ledy Saxondale’s guilt? But there is one piece of intelligence which I must hasten to give you: which is, that the engagement is broken off with Lord Saxondale—and you are now the ao- cepted suitor of Lady Florina Staunton.” A cry of joy, fervid and enthusiastic, burst from the lips of William Deveril, as he threw himself upon his knees, and taking Mr. Gunthorpe’s hand, it between both his own. Tears of mingled gratitade and delight trickled from the dark eyes of the lovely Angela; and Mr. Gunthorpe was deeply affected by the scene of happiness which he thus | draft. witnessed and of which he was the author. He soon afterwards took his departure; but on his way back to his own mansion at Stamford Hill, he stopped for a few moments af Mrs. Leyden’s dwelling to inform Henrietta that he was perfectly satisfied with the result of his interview with Adol- phus at Mrs. Chandos’s , and that she had every hope of bliss to anticipate from that young nobleman’s love. Thus did the old gentleman, while his own heart was secretly devoured with care, busy himself to promote the of others ; and to a certain extent it was a relief to his own sorrows that he was enabled to do so. At eleven o’clock on the following day, Mr. Gun- thorpe’s carriage again drew up in front of the picturesque cottage near Edmonton. Elisabeth immediately came forth to weloume the old gentle- man; and she informed him that her brother and Adolphus had gone out together for a long ramble in the neighbouring lanes and fields. ‘“T am glad of: it,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, kindly but mournfally ; “for I wish to have a serious—e very serious conversation with you. Will you be enabled to give me two or three hours of your time this morning ?” “Yes—aseuredly,” responded Elisabeth: but she was struck by the mournfulness of Mr. Gunthorpe's look and manner—and the truth flashed in unto her mind. the present, bidding the coachman return at two o'clock ; and he then entered the parlour with Lady Beas. Closing:the door, she looked him fall in the face —bat yet with an expression of profound sorrow and humiliation on her features—eaying, “ Mr. Gunthorpe, do you not despise me? do you not scorn and loathe me?” “My God, no!” he ejaculated with a strange ex- eitement: and taking her hand, he pressed it long and warmly, while the tears ran down his cheeks. “You suspect, Elisabeth, that I have learnt some- thing concerning you——”" “ Yes—I see it in your manner—I know that you have!” she answered, weeping. “But how is it possible that you could come near me again? how is it that you can thus demonstrate so much kind and generous feeling towards me? Who are you, Mr. Gunthorpe P Tell me who you are! That isa question which I have asked myself a thousand times sinee you were here yesterday—a question that I must ask a thousand times again until you . solve it!” “TJ cannot now, Elisabeth,” replied the old gen- tleman. ‘ But shortly—very shortly—I may do so Bufloe it fo you to know that I entertain the warmest and sincerest interest in your be a fortune! But see—I have not dared to avail myself of your bounty! I give it you back again: for now that you know all, you must feel how thoroughly unworthy I am of your kindness :”— and as she spoke, she drew forth from her bosom the cheque which Mr. Ganthorpe had left on the preceding dey. “Keep it, Elisabeth—keep it—it is your's,” he ani, rently pushing beck her hand which held the “ Would to heaven that ten thousand times the amount would redeem the past !” “Ah, would that I conld redeem it!” ejaculated Elisabeth: “but at least I may atone for it—and Sn Se ay seeere OP Se TO Oe ment.” “TI came not to reproach you, my dear Eliss- beth,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, still y affected —‘but to hear from your lips the narrative of that Past for which you promise atonement. I am sure you will not refuse me your confidence.” “ No—not for worlds!” cried Lady Bess, with unfeigned sincerity. “‘ Your goodness towards me demande it—and I feel aleo, without knowing why, that you have a right to expect it. Most sacredly do I assure you, Mr. Gunthorpe, that my mind was made up to tell you everything the next time you called, even though you should not have elsewhere discovered that dread secret which has filled you with eo much generous affliction on my behalf. Oh! but I have been haunted by the fear, ever since you left this house yesterday, that you would never return! I was seised with a presentiment that you were going somewhere to make inquiries that would bring to your knowledge this sad phase in my eventful life; and methought that if you did thus learn it, you would cast me out with scorn and loathing fram your memory.” “No, Eliszabeth—I could not do that,” said Mr. Gunthorpe: “and that I could not, the proof is that I am here again to-day! And now thet I have given you the assurance that it is not my pur- pose to reprosch Jou, bag you wil delay not, my dear Elisabeth, in lifting the veil that covers the mystery of your life. Conceal nothing from me Whateoever you may have to confess, will not draw vituperation from my lips: nothing but eympethy shall flow thence. You have not known me long bat perhaps you have seen enough of me to trust ia this assurance f”’ “If any were wanting,” said encouragement rower eat fever “to induce me to make the fullest revelations, it has just been given in these kind words that you have spoken.” She seated herself near Mr. Gunthorpe; andina |; calm firm voice, commenced her narrative in the following manner. CHAPTER LXXX. COMMENCEMENT OF LADY BESS'S HISTORY. “THe earliest period of existence to which my memory can be earried back, is connected with this | cottage. Here I dwelt in my infancy, with aa kete COMIC LOO