The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 317: what you’re looking at

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

$06 was dressed in deep bieck, with a snowy white neckcloth: his look was profoundly solemn ; and it was likewise with the utmost respect that he ad- vanced towards the throne upon which [ndora was seated. Sinking ‘upon one knees, he handed a card to tho Queen, saying, “ May. it please your Ma- jesty, ske whose name is thereon earnestly im- plores a few minutes’ private audience.” Indora, glancing at the card, seemed for a mo- ment’ to be much agitated ; and then a look of boundless compassion appeared upon her hand- soine countenance—while her bosom heaved with a deep sigh. **T will see her, Purvis,” she answered :—* yes, I will seo ber.” Thus speaking, Indora descended from the throne; and followed the old steward from the apartment by means of the same door through which he had entered. It communicated with the specious landing; and as it closed behind the Queen, she said to Purvis, “You have not left them together ?” “No, your Majesty,” he responded : “the Duke is in the waiting “room, guerded by the Hindeos: and the Duchese is in thie apartment:”—at the same time he pointed towards a door on the oppo- site side of the landing. “And. her Grace is alone there?” said the Queen inquiring! “ Her Grace b alone there,” repinet the old ateward. “She is profoundly afflicted—ehe is likewise in a state of censternation——” “ Yos—she is deeply, deeply to be pitied!” said Indora, with another sigh. € But it is impossible that her feelings can be regarded in the present case. Sad indeed is the destiny of this poor lady —fat¢d as she is to feel the effects of all her has- band’s stupendous crimes !|—but the hand of justice cannot remain palsied nor the interest of others be sacrificed on her account. All this, Purvis, you comprehend as well as 1.” “Your Majesty has already condescended to ex- plain that much to me,” anawered the old steward. “I too experience an immense sympathy for her Grace: but at the eime time I know that ser feelings and interests must now be regarded as secondary to the accomplishment of those para- mount duties which I am humbly but faithfully assisting your Majesty to perform.” The Queen smiled graciously upon Purvis; and she then paseed on into the room where the Duchess of Marchmont was eo anxiously awaiting her presence. This was the second time that these two ladies bad met,—that royal lady and that duca) one ;— and now the latter, hastening forward, threw her- self at the feet of the former. The Duchess had at length become acquainted with the sovereign rank of her who on the first occasion she had only known as the Lady Indora: but it was not so much in homage to a Queen that she thus kneit, as it was in the character of a suppliant to one whom she felt to be, by some mysterious and un- known means, the arbitress of ber husband’s des- tiny, and therefore of her own. * Rise, Dachess of Marchmont!” said the Queen, bending down to take the hands of the prostrute Lavinia; “and receive at once from my lips the assurance of my illimitable sympathy! But at the same time let me not by thuse words THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. wee — appear to encourage a hope which cannot possibly be realized——” “Oh! then there is something very dreadfal which menaces my husband !” exelaimed Lavinia, starting up from her kneeling pomtion: “ and your Majesty is invested with the power to punish bia | But, Oh! madam, the most beautiful of all rayal prerogatives is that of mercy; and whether your's be now exercised in strict »ccordance with the law, or only by virtue of the moral power which you wield and which my husband’s miedeeds have given you, yet do I beseech that the sentiment of mercy will not be forgotten {” “Let us sit down together fur a few minutes, Dachese of Marohmont,” said the Queen; “and we will converse :”-—then having handed ber Grace to a seat, Indera fixed her large dark eyes earnestly upon her countenance, and asked, “ Has your lady- ship the elightest Guepicion of the real cause for which your husband bes been brought hither ?” “ My thoughts are all in confusion,” replied the Duchess; “and I know not what to conjecture— what to sushect! Bat doubtless it is that seme subject which on a former occasion led me to seek an interview with your Majesty—seme deep, deep cause of offence which my husband has givea you ———Alas! I fear me, the death of your Hindoo eyah Sagoonah P’’’ “The Duke of Muarohmont has been very, very il,” interrupted the Queen, without giving any re- aponse to the observations of the Duchess; “ and he has been raving in the delirium of ferer. I know aleo that your Grace hes been a pyretety constant, and an affectionate attendant at the bed- side of your husband. Tell me, therefore—did he never in those ravings give utterance to aught which might have led your Cishee to seapeet Oh! how can I put thisquestien toa wifef—a wile too who loves her husband, notwithetanding he is so unworthy of her !” Indora became greatly troubled; for all her most generous feelings and all ber most compes- sionate eentimente wore excited on behalf of the unfortunate lady, who, pale aad eareworn, full of trembling by her side. “Oh! the ravings of my husband were some- times terrible—terrible !” exclaimed the Duchess of Marchmont; “and yet they were so incoherent —s0 disjointed—that I could not comprehend thes. Nevertheless, I must admit that I heard enough to carry the appalling conviction in unto my mind that his conscience was sorely burdened: fer otherwise no imagination could have been 00 shockingly excited! And there have been mo- ments too,” continued the Duchess, now shudder- ing with a visible horror, “when hideous fancies have flitted through my brain———Bat no, no!” she ejaculated, literally shaking herself in the wildness of her harrowed thoughte; “it is im- possible !—it is impossible !” “ At least, my dear madam,” said the Quees, in her most soothing tone, “your conssience is pure —and you have naught to apprehend on your ows account !’° “Oh! but what happens to my husband,” ex claimed Lavinia, passionately, “will redound upos me! Tell me—QOh! tell me, what means the hor- sible mystery of all theee proceedings P No sooner EloOOOlKS COMM (CO