The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 398: what you’re looking at

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

THR MYSTEBIES OF THE COURT. $387 or to be loved. Therefore the Spanish bandit ful- Count. He appeared to understand my wishes; filled no preconcaived ideal on my part; nor did and one day, returning home from the usual excur- ° bis bandsome person, his elegant manners, or his sion much earlier than was his wont, he asked me witching conversation produce a tender impression . to acoumpany him in a walk. It was now the close me. “We proceeded about twenty-five miles that day, anu the journey terminated at a half-ruined tower, which stood concealed in the midst of a dense grove of cork-trees. I¢ had been an immense wood; but hostile encounters between the Carlists and Obris- tymos had taken place in that neighbourhood, and large quantities of the trees had been cut down to aid in throwing up defences and to be burnt as firewood. The land round about indicated thescene of battles,—being ploughed up in many directions by artillery and waggons. The blackened remnants of trees, half burnt, lay scattered about; and the horses’ feet stumbled over cannon-balle and pieces of broken weapons. The tower itself was situated half-way up an eminence, which was of so_poculiar a form as to be inaccessible behind; and thus it served as a background-defence for the building. The cork- trees stretched up to within a few yards of the tower, which they well nigh completely embowered in their verdure. There had been fighting at the tower: and the artillery bad played upon the mag- sive edifice, destroying at least half, but leaving the other portion comparatively uninjured. *‘ There was some furniture in the tower; but the place having been pillaged, everything of value had disappeared. Nevertheless, there were sufficient means of rendering several rooms comfortable enough; and here did the band take up its quarters. Qne apartment served as a general room where the meals were taken m common, the same as at the encampment; and the others served as bed- chambers. Of these, the best within the tower was allotted tome. On our arrival I was buth surprised . and apprehensive at finding such pains taken to render the place habitable: for it struck me that so much trouble would scarcely be incurred, if it were intended to pursue the journey on the following day, or even within two or three days. And twu or three days did pass without any intimation being given that we were to resume our towards the Pyrenees. I did not choose to manifest any immediate impatience, because I felt that I had no right to make my own particular objecte predomi- nate over the views and interests of Don Diego Christoval and hisband. I therefore maintained an outward appearance of cheerfulness, although I began to entertain some misgiving in respect to my position there. In short, I feared that the bandit-chief was doing his best to keep me as long as he possibly could, and that I was virtually a prisoner. For when Christoval and his men went out on their predatory excursions, twe of them invariably re- mained at the tower, ostensibly to act as a guard { for the women, but I could not help fancying in reality to prevent my esoape. Moreover, when I walked out, one of the women—Isabella generally— | accompanied me, and one of the sentinels followed of October; and the weather was cold. We passed into the wood ; and Don Diego speedily approached the subject which I was desirous of reaching. He said, ‘I know what is passing in your mind, Senora: you are impatient to leave us—to leave me,’ he added emphatically ; ‘and you think I am not be- having honourably or kindly towards you? Now, will you hear me? You are the first woman I ever loved in my life; and you will be the last. The senti- ment with which you have smitten me, is a deathlesa one. Not merely my happincas, but my very life, is in your hands: for if you were to leave me, I could nut possibly survive your loss. This love of mine has rendered me desperate—so despernte in- deed, that it is making me act with duplicity and unkindness towards you. What is to be my fate? It ia in your bands.’ “It was impvesible to be angry or indignant with that man: he spoke in language so fervid, and yet eo replete with delicate respect—his looks were filled with so much admiration mingled with so much despair—there was altogether such a blending of sincerity, and pathos, and manly appcal in his air his words, and his manner, that [ experienced for him a boundless compassion. Knowing that he possessed a generous heart, and certain lofty senti- ments of honour, in spite of the lawless kind of life he was leading, I thought to touch and to move him by representing my assumed position as a real and veritable one. I accordingly addressed him in terms of impressive seriousness. I told him that I was @ married woman, and was separated from my husband in consequence of the incompatibility of our dispositions; but that inasmuch as I could not on the one hand contract another alliance, I was equally resolute on the other never to lose sight of my honour and good name. The Count looked much distressed, and reflected profoundly. At length he asked if it were impossible I could ever love him? I told him that while I felt deeply grateful for all the kindness I had experienced at his hands—and that although I should ever entertain a friendly re- membrance of him—yet that my heart was incapa- ble of experiencing a more tender eentiment. ‘To part from you,’ he said in a mournful voice, ‘ will be the same as laving violent hands upon myself: it. will be an act of suicide—and I have not the cour- age to accomplish it. I beseech you to remain at the tower a short time longer. [ will not insult myself so far as to assure you that I am incapable of any outrage towards you. If you would consent to live all your life with me as a sister, I should be happy. Mine is no gross and sensual passion: it is pure and ethereal: it is the strangest and most romantic love that ever yet filled the heart of man. So long as I can enjoy the light of your presence— so long as I can hear ihe music of your voice play- ing in my ears—to long as I am permitted to gaze at a distance with the pretext of watching over us. upon you from time to time, and dwell upon the But this had not been done when at the encamp- beauty of your countenance—therein shal] all my ment; and I asked myself wherefore such preeau- | ideas of earthly happiness be concentrated. Surely, tions should be held necessary now ? | Senora, such a love as this is not to be lightly re- “A week had passed since our arrival at the pudiated? surely you will take some compassion tower; and there was no sign of a removal. I now upon the man who proffers you such a love?” ‘purposely sought an opportunity of speaking to the | ‘‘T answered that I would speak to him as if it COMIC DOO