The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 251: what you’re looking at

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

240 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. before he had time to open it, Meredith had ‘‘ Indeed, my lord,” answered the Baron, dart- wrested it from dis clutch, and had hurled it to a| ing a quick but scarcely perceptible glance at Oc- distance. Almost immediately afterwards the | tavian’s countenance, “I do not see any reason for sounds of footsteps were heard approaching: the; this alarm: and methought that you yourself just ruffian made one last and desperate effort to free | now, when you first joined our party-———” himself ; and he would pussibly have succeeded| ‘All things considered,” chimed in the notary, were it not that two of the forest police rushed up | “it would be advisable to procure an escort. We to the spot. r all know—and therefore it is no secret, unless, The fellow was taken prisoner ; and Meredith indeed, Lord Octavian Meredith be the only one hastily made certain communications to the police- ignorant of the fact—that M. Volney insisted upon officers. He then left them to bear away their | giving his beloved daughter a munificent dower, all captive, while he retraced his steps to the inn. | of which is in bank-notes and specie———” While proceeding thither he adjusted his garments| “You speak as if every one knew it,” inter- which had been disordered by the struggle; and | rupted the notary’s wife. “Why, my dear, here with his kerchief he wiped off, as well as he was/is the Baron de Margaux who may perhaps be able, the dirt-stains which his clothes had caught | ignorant of the fact, inasmuch as he only reached during the conflict. the Chateau at an early hour this morning, and On reaching the inn, the young nobleman as- | the marriage settlements were signed last evening.” cended to the apartment where he had left the; “My friend the Baron is not ignorant upon bridal pair, Zoe, the notary and his wife—and | the point,” said the Viscount Delorme; “for where he now likewise found the Baron. This | having no secrets from one with whom I have been individual immediately accosted him, and said, | so intimate, and to whom I am indebted for my “ So your lordship thought it worth while, after | very life, I failed not to mention M. Volney’s in- al], to go and use your influence with the post- | tended manificence when I met the Baron some master———At least I presume that this has been | few days back in the village, and when I pressed the ubject for which you have issued forth ?” him to be of the bridal party to-day.” “TI have not spoken to the postmaster,” replied | ‘Well, really,” said the notary, with impa- Lord Octavian. “ But may I ask you what eatis- | tience, “it matters not amongst us all here who faction you have obtained from him P”’ knows or who does not know the fact to which I “The horses will be in readiness almost |refer. It is sufficient that there is this large sum directly,” answered the Baron, for a moment eye- | in the first carriage to render it expediant that we ing Meredith in a peculiar manner—and then im- | should have an escort. The half-hour that we were mediately caressing his moustache with a sort of | to tarry here, has already grown into an hour— careless indifference. the shades of evening are coming on——— “ What is the matter with you, my dear Zoe?” | The notary’s speech was suddenly interrupted asked Clarine, now advancing towards her friend, | by an incident which produced a startling effect. drawing her aside, and thus speaking to her in a | The Baron de Margaux was about to issue from whisper. ‘ You look pale, troubled, and excited. | the room,—when Lord Octavian Meredith bounded You appear as if you were endeavouring to con- | towards him; and clatohing him forcibly by the ceal something that is vexing you? I had hoped | arm, exclaimed, “No! —you cannot be that with your husband restored to you—and | to depart hence!” after the aseurances which you bave found an op-| For an instant the countenance of the Baron portunity of giving me, to the effect that you are | displayed a ghastly expression ; and he staggered now completely happy as if smitten a violent blow with an invisible hand: “Dearest Clarine,” interrupted Zoe, also speak- | but the next instant the blood rushed to his face; ing in a whisper, “It is not for this that I am/|and assuming the haughtiest demeanour, he said, troubled. On the contrary, I have every reason | “ My lord, this conduct so unwarrantable—s0 out- to be happy! But I see that the moment is | rageous——” come when, according to a hint which I have re-; ‘“ We shall sce whether I am not justified in whet ceived from Lord Octavian, I am to prepare you I am doing !'’ said Octavian, in whom a remark- for something. Start not, my dear Clarine—” able change had taken place: for while he re- “Good heavens, what mean you?” ejaculated | tained his hold upon the Baron, his looks expressed the Viscountess; and as she was thrown off her | loathing and horror, mingled with the sternest re- guard, or rather, we should say, alarmed by Lady | solve. Octavian’s words, she spoke more loudly than she}; “ My lord, what means this?” asked the Vis- had intended. count Delorme, stepping forward. The Viscount Delorme immediately turned; ‘“Clarine, my dearest friend,” Zoe hastily whis- towards her; and he at once perceived that terror | pered to the Viscountess, “ prepare yourself for a was depicted on his bride’s countenance, as well as | horrible revelation-———” a painful anxiety on the features of Zoe. “ Unhand me, my lord!” thundered forth the “Has anything ocourred P” asked the Viscount, | Baron De Margaux, with a perfect ferocity in his with a tone and look that were full of a tender con- | look, as he thus addressed himself to Lord Octavian. cern. “ Ah! I comprehend it! You both tremble; But scarcely were the words spoken, when hasty at the idea of passing through that forest-———” | and heavy footeteps were heard rushing up the “ And natural enough,” interrupted Lord Octa- | staircase—the door was flung open--three or four vian. “Do you not think, Baron, it is natural | police-officers burst into the room—and the Baron enough that these ladies should be affrighted at| De Margaux was seized upon as their prisoner. the idea of venturing amidst the mases of that, ‘“ Away with him from our sight! exclaimed forest which is now rendered so hideously memora-| Lord Octavian Meredith: “away with that foul ble by the tragedy of last night.” | murderer !” COMIC OOOlKKS. CO