The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 191: what you’re looking at

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

174 alteration in Artanur’s outward appearance. The first was that the near approach of death was her- alded by a hectic glow on the cheeks which Dud- ley had mistaken for the returning hue of health: —the second was that Arthur had discovered the cause of his malady and was taking the antidote ;— and the third was that Dudley no longer adminis- tered to him the poison.” * All those considerations I likewise weighed in my own mind,” observed Mrs. Lindley: “and while I rejected the last, I wavered between the two first.” “And I fluctuated amidst all three,” returned Fernanda. “Well—in that state of uncertainty and suspense—resolved not to abandon my ven- geance, and yet fearful that it would eecape me— I determined to leave your house, take a lodging as close to Lord Marchmont’s mansion as possible, and satisfy myself with my own eyes as to the al- teration which had occurred in Arthur's appear- ance. Moreover, I was anxious to see Dudley— tax him with deceiving me—and judge by his re- plies how far my suspicions on that head were well founded. Accordingly I obtained apartments in the very next house to that where Arthur dwells with his father. I slept in my new lodging last night. This morniug I enveloped myself in my cloak—concealed my face with this thick black veil—and walked about Hanover Square until near mid-day. Presently I saw my seducer approach- ing. He was proceeding at a slow pace, and was apparently buried in deep thought. I ob- tained a full view of his counteaance: but he noticed me not :—and even If he had ob- served, he could not have recognised me. Oh! he is indeed altered in appearance, Mrs. Lindley,” continued the vindictive young lady, the words hissing between her teeth from the rage that filled THE MYSTERIES. would not reveal to me—and he was surprised when he found that you were gone. Last night he was with your uncle and the Countess ——” “T care not for them—my vengeance is the senti- ment that absorbs all other considerations inter- rupted Miss Aylmer, impatiently. “ How came he to discover the secret of his malady !—how came he to possess the antidote f” “The night that he was here with the Countess of Desborough, he found the receipts in that book- case,” answered Mra. Lindley; “and a chemist has doubtless been consulted. He said that for your sake he would spare me—and his language was kind and considerate respecting yourself.” “Oh! I scorn his kindness—I contemn his for- bearance!” exclaimed Fernanda, every lineament ef her beauteous countenance convulsed wih rage “Think you that my revenge shall pause in its pre- gress heref—do you imagine for a single moment that I am to be melted by his pardon—soothed by his forgiveness? No—no: it isnot thus that Fer. nanda Aylmer buries her wrongs in oblivion * And she rose to depart. “What are you about to do, my dear voung lady f* demand Mrs, Lindley,in an imploring tone. * Con- sider—pause—refiect, I beseech you! Any attempt that you make upon Mr. Eaton’s life, may re- dound with fearful consequences on ourselves. Oh? do nothing rashly or hastily, I entreat you! His forbearance may yicld to exasperation—his mereifal spirit may be moved fo retaliation! Nay—to ensure his personal safety, he may be induced to invoke the assistance of the law—and then you involve me in your destruction !’’ “ Fear nothing, good woman,” said Fernanda, in a ccld and resolute tone: “whatever I may now do, | shall be done well and effectually. I see that William Dudley is faithful: aided by him, my vengeance will her bosom: “ for it was no hectic tiat which dyed ' be consummated in a moment. There! give me a his cheeks—no unnatural brilliancy which shone in } phial of some deadly poison for that gold!” she ex- his eyes! His step, too, was comparatively firm and elastic ;—and every symptom—every sign denoted c.aimed, throwing a heavy purse upon the tabie. “ Hush! the very walls have ears,” murmured the returning health. I went back to my lodgings, and | midwife, in a hoarse and hollow whisper. “My reflected on all this. My first hypethesis was de- stroyed: it was a resuscitating vigour, and not an approaching dissolution, which had produced that change in his appearance! Then I thought of my seoond theory. Could he have discovered the secret of his malady ?—could he have obtained the anti- dote? No—for if this were the case, his suspicions would have fallen upon me, and ere now J should have been the inmate of a criminal gaol. What, then, can I believe? That Dudley bas repented and has ceased to administer the poison |” “ T have heard you with patience, my dear young lady, because you requested that I would do so,” said firs. Lindley. “ But it is now my turn to speak, Artbur Eaton was here this morning ?” “Ah! and for what purpose?” demanded Fer- nanda. “He has discovered everything —and pardoned everything!” replied Mrs, Lindley, in a low but im- pressive tone, “ Poison and antidote are alike known to him—and Dudley has not deceived you.” “You amase me!” ejaculated Miss Aylmer, now painfully excited. ‘‘Hush ! not eo loud—the walls have ears!” whis- pered the old harridan, impatiently. “Yes—he has discovered all—he came hither to see you upon some matter of importance, but the nature of which he [Ee £4i@==n5 <a God! you would destroy me, body and soul, Mise Aylmer: have mercy upon me !” “Well—for a tenth portion of this amount of gold a chemist will supply me with what I require,” said Fernanda coolly, as she took the purse up again. “Stay—I will do it ® moaned rather than spoke the midwife, her avarice getting the better of her fears, “ Be quick, then—for I am anxious te depart,” said the young lady. - Mrs, Lindley quitted the room—hastened up to her own private chamber—and speedily returned with a amall phial in her hand. This she gave to Fernanda, from whom she received the gold in exchange. “The potion may be relied upon @” inquired Mitas Aylmer, with a significant look. “ Death will be almost instantaneous if only three drops be poured between the lips of a sleeping per- son,” answered the midwife, in a voice that was scarcely audible. “You are not deceiving me, Mrs. Lindley ex- claimed Fernanda, eyeing the woman suspiciously. “On my soul, I entertained not such an idea for a moment!’’ returned the midwife. “We will see,” said Miss Aylmer coolly: and, as she spoke she caught up the great black cat in her arms. COMING BOOKS