The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

144 * Of those causes of offence I am utterly ignorant, Lady Indora. All that the Duke has told me, is that he has offended you—that you have the power to injure him—that you are exercising this power——And, Oh! he is very, very unhappy! But he implores your forbearance—he beseeches you to accept the assurance of his contrition: he would have come to you if he had dared—bué on his behalf do I kneel at your feet!” And with these words, Lavinia eank down to a suppliant posture, — taking: Indora’s hand and pressing it with the warmth of entreaty, while she looked up with imploring gase into Indora’s countenance. The Queen was profoundly touched by the pathos of this appeal: she saw in a moment that the Duke was making a blind and uninformed instrument of his wife-———and she pitied her. “ Rise, madam,” she said: “ it is not for you to kneel at my feet: although——But rise, I con- jure you! Oh, now you weep, Duchess of March- mont! -—~-and I cannot bear to behold these tears!” “Lady, you are all goodness,” murmured Lavinia: “yes, I read your character in your countenance! You will not be stern and unre- lenting! Of whatecever offences my husband may be guilty—and I seek not to know them-——” ‘‘ Madam, reat assured,” interrupted the Queen, with a true queenly dignity, “that my honour. has suffered not——” “No, no, lady!” cried the Duchess: “purity and virtue are stamped upon your countenance: they are delineated in your looks! Good heavens! not fora moment would I insult you with such a suspicion. Iam entirely at your mercy—I myself in your hands. If you think fit to narrate the offences of my husband towards you in order to convince me of the magnitude of your gene- rosity in pardoning them, I shall listen: but if on the other hand you will spare me that which my own heart tells me cannot be otherwise than pain- ful—and if you will pardon him all the same— Oh! I shall bless you—I shall love you as my benefactrees !” “ Rise, lady—rise, Duchess of Marchmont!” said Indora, ina tremulous voice, and at the same time wiping away a tear. “You have given me no offence—you come in the candour and frank- ness of your own innocence—you must not kneel as a suppliant——” “ Lady—dear lady—I will kneel,” continued the Duchess, “until you grant me this boon. Oh, you know not how much depends upon it! I saw my husband wretched and unhappy: I imp his confidence. He told me that he had enemies— and that you were one. He bade me come to you —andI am here! Grant him your pardon, dear lady—and he will give me back his love as a re- ward for procuring that forgiveness. You see how much is at stake! It is in your power to restore me that happiness which for years I have lost. Do this, dear lady, and I will love youas a sister ! Ab, you weep! you are moved—you will accede to my prayer !”” “ Rise, Duchess of Marchmont,” again said In- dora, but now s ing in a voice which was all tfemulous with emotions. “ Return to your hus- band—tell him that for all he has ever done to- wards me, I forgive him for your sake.” “ Dearest, dearest lady !” ejaculated the Duchess, THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. pressing Indora’s hand to her lips, and then start- ing up from her suppliant posture; “you have poured joy into my heart—you have already filled my soul with happiness” * But understand me well, madam,” interrupted the Queen ; “ I forgive your husband for whatsoever he may have done towards myself. Be particular in conveying my decision in the very terms wherein I express it.” “Bat what means this reservation P” asked Lavinia, her beagtiful countenance suddenly be- coming so pensively mournful that it went to In- dora’s heart to be unable to give her such an essur- ance as would send her away completely happy. “There is something in your words which I cannot understand: there is, as I have expressed it, a reservation-—=—” “Your husband will comprehend my meaning,” answered Indora; “and he will at least thank your Grace for what you have done. Return to him, and say those worde—that for his offences against myself I forgive him for your sake. Fail not to say that it is for your sake |” “ Ah, I comprehend !” exclaimed the Duchess, apparently awakening from the stupor of bewilder- ment: “there is some one else in whom you are interested, and against whom my husband has offended! Oh, is it possible? can it be really true thet——..”” Lavinia stopped short, and sank upon the sofa, overpowered by her feelings. Against whom could her husband have thus offended, if not against Sagoonsh? For must not Indora be in- terested on behalf of her servant ? and was it not place | on this account that she was making such a mental reservation? And now, too, the Queen looked distressed ; for she failed not to fathom what was passing in the mind of the Duchess: she com- prehended full well the natare of the suspicion which Lavinia entertained. “Return to the Duke, madam,” said the Queen, in a tremulous voice; “return to him, and de. liver the message which you have already received from my lips.” The Duchess would have said more: she would have renewed her entreatics—she would again have fallen at the Queen’s feet: but her emotions were too strong for the power of utterance—and she remained riveted like a statue to the spot. One last effort did she ‘make to give vent to an impassioned intercession: but she could not—she dared stay no longer—and abruptly pressing the Queen’s hand, she hastened from the apartment. When again seated in her carriage, Lavinia threw herself back and burst into an agony of tears: for she could no longer doubt that her own husband was in some unaccountable way connected with the assassin-attempt upon Sagoonab. Nevertheless, as the reader may have perhaps already imagined, the mental reservation made by Indora referred not to Sagoonah——buat unto another ! CHAPTER OXLIV. THR PASTILLES. Ws must now return to the Burker, whom wo left when issuing forth from the Duke of Marchmont’s COMIC DOG (CO