The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 235: what you’re looking at

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224 of the infamy of that establishment came like a thunderbolt upon my eare, I have been haunted with terrors lest you should discover that only secret of my life which I studied to conceal from you. At last the extortioner came; and then « great battle took place within me. I longed to reveal everything to you: but I had not the moral courage to do it. Alas, no! I had not!—and I submitted to that villanous demand. You know the rest.” | “And now, my dear Anastatis,” responded Sir Frederick, taking his wife’s hand and pressing it to his lips, “it is my turn to give you explana- tions. I will tell you how my suspicions were aroused—how they were strengthened—how they were fostered.” Sir Frederick accordingly narrated all those in- cidente which have been described to the reader,— how be had first missed the contents of his cash- box—how he had examined the papers in the desk —how he had visited Madame Angelique—how he hed traced some of his lost bank-notes to Lord Rushbro»k’s possession—-and how he had dis- covered the final secret from the Lascar. “1¢ is I who have now to ask your pardon, my Anastatia,” added the merchant, “for having vio- lated the sanctity of your writing desk.” “You were justified,” answered the lady; “ and moreover this is not merely the day of revelations, bat also the day of forgiveness.” “And toa certain extent,” rejoined Sir Frede- rick,—* for your sake—at least so far as forgive- ness in such circumstances can extend—shall it be accorded to that guilty one who has — the cause of so much mischief.” Meanwhile Lord Rushbrook had — sit- ting in the window-recess: but he had not caught a single syllable of all that was thus taking place between his sister and his brother-in-law. The merchant approached him, and spoke in the {ullowing terms:— “It were a mere waste of words to endeavour to reason with. your lordship upon the profligacies and villanies of the career which you have been pursuing. The perils and difficulties of the past operate not with you as a salutary warning for the present or the future. What conduct could have been more abominable than your’s when you would even have sacrificed the reputation of your own sister to the selfishness of your personal safety? Because you could not stir abroad at the time, you induced her to meet you in a place of infamy,—where, if you had the feelings of a men, your blood would boil with indignation at the idea of your pure-minded sister ever having set her foot! I fear that you are incorrigible, my lord ; for this last act of your’s—the robbery of your own sister’s husband—a felon’s foulest crime —proves you to be so thoroughly black-hearted and unprincipled that there is no hope for you!” Anastatia had remained in the window-recess, where she was now weeping and sobbing: the sounde of her grief were wafted to the ear of her husband; and Sir Frederick, turning upon her a look of such kindness and compassion as never be- fore he had displayed, said, “Weep not, Anas- tatia !—your brother is not worthy of these tears !” Viscount Rusbbrook, having a presentiment that something was about to be done for him, thought it better to preserve # the humblest demeanour ; and THE MYSTERIES OF THS COURT. indeed he was completely overwhelmed with shame and confusion, notwithstanding his recent endea- vour to carry off the affair with an insolent self: sufficient flippancy. “T know that [ have behaved bad, Sir Frede- rick,” he said: “but look at my position! An ap- pearance to keep up, and nothing to maintain it with—or at least only such a beggarly income that any small tradesman is better off than I! Come —you have said enough in the shape of reproach I am glad it is all right between you and Anastatia———" “Lord Rushbrook, listen to me!” interrupted the merchant; “for this scene shall now be brought to an end. It is totally impossible that you can ever again set foot within these walls: nor will I permit you—if it be possible for me to pre- vent it—to remain in the British metropolis, where your proceedings are so incessantly calculated to damage every one who is connected with you. [ have a proposition to make: accept or refuse it as you will. If you choose to go upon the Continent, I will make you an allowance of one thousand pounds a year: but it shall be paid in monthly portions, and only to yourself personally—not by written order nor cheque—so that there may bea guarantee that you remain altogether in Paris, or wherescever else you may choose to fix your abode. But if, on the other hand, you.refuse this propo- sition, I warn you, Lord Rashbrook, that you will receive no farther pecuniary assistance from me; and whatsoever difficulty you may plunge youreeif into, you must bear the consequences of. Decide this moment!—and if you accept my terme, you you will leave the British metropolis to-morrow.” We need hardly inform the reeder that Vis- count Rushbrook was only too glad to accept an offer which promised him so liberal a permanent addition to the limited allowance he received from his father; and he took his departare from Tadoe House. When he was gone, Anastatia expressed her warmest gratitude to her husband for the muniG- cence he had thus displayed towards her brother, as well as for his great leniency and forbearance in tacitly pardoning him for the foul robbery which had been brought to light. “These incidents, my dear Anastatia,” an- swered the merchant, “although so peinfal, may not have been without their uses. In the first place, your erring brother will be compelled to leave London, where he has constantly disgraced and imperiled himself; and let us hope that with a handsome income in a foreign clime, he may enter upon a new path. In the second place, your soul, Anastatia, is now relieved from the necessity of maintaining a secret which you wore always afraid would transpire; and in the third place, methinks thet our hearts have been drawn nearet towards each other than ever they were before. Certain it is that I feel different towards you! There may have been pride and coolness in my former demeanour~—I have treated you too little es a wife and a friend: but henceforth it shall be different !” Anastatia threw herself into her husband's arms; and he folded her to his breast with a real and loving tenderness. CONC OOOlKS (CO