The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 397: what you’re looking at

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$82 THER MYSTERIES. the damnable wrong which you have perpe- trated !” Aud the nobleman, covering his face with his hands, broke forth into the bitterest lamentations. But Ramsey saw that he was safe—that no posi- BT 6 Earl , every r than resus - nd his i com- lars at nte of [lined e most erdent o sud- ve re- or and ire in- id her ld not 5 Gus- Ram- The éfforts striké him that the visit of the artist and the exhibition of thé picture could have any connéxion with the sudden catastrophe. “Mr. Ramsey—or rather Mr. Wakefield,” re- sidid, gumed the Earl, again exercising a mastery over his feelings, —“for it makes my blood ran cold ia my veins to call you by the former name,—matters have reached that appalling crisis when reproaches are a folly and au absurdity. No possible invective which my lips might frame, could convey an idea of the tremendous sense of diabolical outrage which my soul experiences. Words are uselesé in dealing with such a case. The wrong is inflicted: sts nature is horrible to contemplate! But, Oh! with what excruciating bitterness of feeling must I admit that i myself was to 4 great extent the ac- eessory to my own dishonour and to my wife's im- measurable shame. For § knew that you had be- some her paramour——My God! I knew it——and oow my punishment is a helt of the heart's emo- tions ° And, springing from his seat, the Earl began to pace the room with all the frantic agitation of one whose brain was turning. But suddenly pausing in his demented walk, he confronted Ramsey, saying in a low hoarse tone, * The sooner we separate, the better. In another hour it will be dusk; and my fravélling-carriage will be at the door. If you consent to straight to Liverpool and thénce embark for the United States, my pursé is at your command.” “ Greedily—gratefally do I embracé the oppor- tunity,” exclaimed the resuscitatéd. “Talk not to me of gratitude—profane not good words by breathing them with your polluted lps !” said the Earl, his voice now duddenly changing to a passionate vehemence as hé gurveyed Ramsey with looks of indescribable disgust and «abhorrence. “Here are five hundred pounds for your use,” he exclaimed, tossing down 2 purse heavy with gold and rustling with bank-notes: “and, by the living do not proceed in my carriage direct to Liverpool and thence depart without delay for America—I will show you no more mercy, but proclaim the fact of your existence to the world and set the bleod-hounds of justice to hunt you to that de- struction which you have escaped once !” Having thus given vént to the menaces which his outraged feelings suggested, the Earl of Desbo.- rough guitted the room, banging the door violently behind him. | He repaired to his wife’s chamber, which was datkened by the heavy curtains being drawn over the windows. Around the bed several persons were speaking in those solemn whispers in which words are exchanged by the couch of an invalid. Two phy- sicians, a nurse, and three of the noble jady’s female attendants were gathered there — watching putierit who was sleeping, but with an uneasy an convulsing stumber. “What was the cause of this sndden fit?” is quired one of the pbysicisns, addressing himself to the principal lady’s-maid. “I do not know, sir,” was the reply. * The Bar} and her ladyship were inspecting a picture in a room down-stairs, when suddenly a fearful shriek echoed throagh the house. We ran to sho periour from Which it proceeded—and we found the Earl dread- fully agitated and her ladyship insenaible,” “ Ah! some family matter; doubtless,” observed the physician. “Is there any danger, air inquired the Isdy’s- “The greatest danger,’ was the prompt reply. “ Your noble mistress hag received a shock which may end fatally—or perhaps impair the nervous system for the remainder of her “Oh! my poor mistrees ” sobbed the dependant, who was devotedly attached to Lady Desborgugtt. It was at this moment that the Earl entered the room; and, advatcing on tiptoe towards the bed, he fixed his eyes with mournfol earnestness upon the countenance of his wife, The maid-servants retired—and the nobleman, seating h by the sidé df the couch, took Eleanor’s hand in his own. It was cold-—icy cold: he pressed it to his lipse—he wept over it! Oh! the anhappy nobleman loved his wife tenderly—tenderly | | For upwards of at hour did he remain over her as shé slept her troubled sleep. ;. O ran- cour was in his thoughts with to her—no antmosity in his looks: but he was all love, and affection, and pity, and compassion—that generous- hearted Ear! ! At length, 22 a sudden femembrance struck him, hé looked at his watch; and, gently abandoning Eleanor’s hand, which all this time wed had retainéd in his own, he issued noiecieasly from the roem. Hastening te an spartnient the windows of which were in the front of the house, he looked forth into the Square. The travelling-earriage waa at the door: the pos- tilion was already in the saddle. A man, énveloped in a cloak, emexged from the house and entered the chaise, which immediately drove off—the occupant drawing up the blinds as it rolled away frorh the mansjon. Then some degree of relief was experienced by the Earl of Desborough, an he retraced jis way to bit wife’s chamber: for the teauscitated criminal was God ! if you venture to remain in England—if you | no longer an inmate of his dwelling ! COMNGDOOKS coh