The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 312: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. $01 --as she lounged upon that sofa. Although it was now nearly four o'clock in the afternoon, yet she was still clad in a morning deshabillée; and this being open at the bosom, revealed the exuberant contours of her bust. Her light hair showered in myriads of ringlets upon her bare neck and shoulders, which were of dassling white- ness. Her large blue eyes scemed to swim in a soft sensudte languor; and if an artist or a sculp- tor had required a model for the personification of Voluptuousness on the canvass or in the form of statuary marble, the beautiful but frail Marion might have admirably served that object. She herself had no love for Wilson Stanhope: but, as he was handsome, and as he possessed (at least for the present) the means of keeping her in luxury, he was as well to her as any other paramour. Besides, in thus remaining with him, she had, as the reader has seen, an ulterior aim to serve—and this was on behalf of her sister. It was shortly after four o’clock, when a young page in an elegant livery entered the apartment where Wilson Stanhope and his mistress were seated, to announce that Mr. Oliver was waiting in the parlour below. Stanhope at once descended the stairs to join him; for they were well ac- quainted, and frequently dined and drank copiously together. “I want your assistance, Stanhope,” Alezis immediately began, “in one of those delicate affaire——”’ “You mean a duel, Oliver?” exclaimed Stan- hope. ‘“ With whom have you been quarrelling ? and what is the causo? Surely you have not found a rival in Mrs. Oxenden’s affections——” ‘Do not ask me for a single syllable of explana- tion relative to the cause!” ejaculated Alexis. “ Suffice it to say that I have been villanously treated by a certain Christian Ashton——” “Christian Ashton P” exclaimed Stanhope. “I know that young man well. I once fought a duel on account of his sister—she is a very beautiful girl——and as for that Christian hi ” But Stanhope stopped short: he did not choose to betray to Oliver how Christian had fathomed and frustrated the nefarious conspiracy in whioh he had played so prominent a part against the peace, reputation, and happiness of the Duchess of Marchmont: nor did he feel inclined to mention how the young gentleman had dealt summary chastisement upon him on the occasion when he so grossly insulted Isabella Vincent in Hyde Park. ** Ah, you know this Ashton, then P” said Oliver. * But from the tone in which you speak, you can have no very friendly feeling——”’ “Towards young Ashton? Not I indeed!” ejaculated Stanhope. “And therefore it will give me all the more pleasure to see you wing him io a duel. You are a good shot, if I recollect; and from what I know of Ashton’s pursuits, 1 should searcely think he ever fired a pistol in his life.” The two gentlemen conferred together upon the arrangements for the pending duel; and Stanhope then set off to call upon Captain Stanley. In the meanwhile Christian himself had been to Stanley, and had informed him of the challenge he had received from Alexis Oliver. Stanley was grieved to hear that the adventures of the pre- ceding night were to lead to such a result: but be eaw no possible means of avoiding the hostile en- counter. He accordingly undertook to second his young friend upon the occasion; and he was pleased to behold the calm courageous demeanour with which our hero contemplated the prospect. Christian paid his usual visits to Shrubbery Villa as well as to the mansion of Isabella Vincent. He had resolved to say nothing of the approach. ing duel; but when he took leave of his sister at the one dwelling and of his beloved Isabella at the other, he felt the chords of his heart tighten pain- fully—though he suffered not his countenance nor his manner to betray the feelings which were thus inwardly moving him. He returned to his lodg- ings in Mortimer Street; and he spent a couple of hours in writing letters, which were to be delivered only in case he should fall in the hostile en- counter. One was to Lord Clandon, thanking him for all the kindness which our young hero had received at his hands, and expressing the fervid hope that the measures then in progress would have the reeulé which every well-wisher of this nobleman so earnestly desired. Another was to Christina; and therein the affectionate brother said everything that was kind and tender to his much-loved sister. A third was to Queen [ndora, thanking her Majesty for all her goodness to Christina; and the last was to Isabella Vincent, taking the fondest farewell of her to whom Chris- tian’s heart was devoted. | Our hero was careful in preventing Mrs. Ma- caulay from suspecting the duel that was about to take place; and in this aim he fully succeeded. He retired to rest at his usual hour; and he slept soundly—for that young man had not a taint, rauch less a crime, upon his conscience. The little worldly affairs he had to settle—and which were summed up in the letters he had penned—were put in order: he. was a youth of courage—and he feared not death, otherwise than on account of the affliction into which it would plunge those who were so devotedly attached to him. A note, received from Captain Stanley before he retired for the night, had conveyed to Ohris- tian’s knowledge the arrangements made by that officer with the Hon. Wilson Stanhope for the hoatile encounter. Christian accordingly rose at half-past five in the morning ; and while perform. ing his toilet, he moved about the room with the utmost care, so as to avoid disturbing the landlady and her servants. Having secured his letters about his person, he softly descended the atairs, and at six o'clock issued from the house, unper- ceived by either of ite inmates. Obtaining a cab at the corner of- the street, he repaired at once to Captain Stanley’s lodgings. This officer was ready dressed to receive him; and breakfast was upon the table. Christian partook of some slight re- freshment: his demeanour continued calm, com- posed, and firm; and Stanley therein recognised the evidences of a courage suitable for any emer- gency, but which on the other hand was utterly apart from recklessness or bravado. Captain Stanley’s phacton was speedily in readi- ness to convey himself and his young friend to their destination. A case of pistols was placed by the Captain’s valet in the vehicle; and they atopped on their road to take up the surgeon who was to accompany them; for Stanley had commu- nicated with this gentleman on the preceding evening. The equipage drove to Wimbledon Com- == COMME HOG cS) (CO ™