The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 139: what you’re looking at

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ee 124 moment, who that nobleman was ?—‘ Lord Peters- field,’ was the answer.” “Lord Petersfield!—my father’s trustee —my brother’s guardian—my mother’s intimate friend !” exclaimed Juliana. pected as much, knowing that it was he who recom- mended you to Lady Saxondale. Krank—proceed.” “That Lord Petersfield was he whom I had seen in my earlier years, I felt convinced,” resumed the youth, “notwithstanding bis denial. Wherefore should he have proffered me his interest—he even used the word friendship—unless I had that claim ‘uponhim? But what connexion was there between him and the lady whom I regarded as my mother ? was he a relation or merely a friend? Vain queries were these that I put to myself! and how futile were all the conjectures they raised up! But with- out dwelling at too great a length on this part of my narrative, let me hasten on to relate another inci- dent. A few weeks after I had thus encountered Lord Petersfield, her Majesty the Queen gave a Concert at Buckingham Palace. A thousand cards of invitation were issued; and at the appointed hour the vicinage of the royal dwelling was crowded with brilliant equipages. My duty on the occasion placed me in a kind of ante-chamber through which the company had to pass to the Yellow Drawing Room, where the guests were first to assemble ere the Concert-Room was thrown open. For some time there was a continuous flow of all the elite of rank and fashion : but for a brief interval there was a pause—a lapse, so to speak—in the living stream ; and thus two or three minutes passed ere any fresh arrivals made their appearance. footsteps approaching —light airy steps— and the rustling of dresses. The next moment two ladies, whose ages might respectively have been thirty-two and thirty—(but they were not sisters, at least to judge from their looks)—entered the ante-chamber on their way to the State Apartments. Ah, those faces! I recollected them in a moment—they were the same I had seen by the couch of the lady at the country-mansion—the same I had subsequently seen, also, at that mansion, on the last occas‘on of my being conducted thither! For observe, Miss Fare- field—Juliana, I mean dear Juliana! —— ob- serve, I say, that my memory has not only been vividly keen and scrupulously faithful relative to all incidents associated with the mysteries of my ear- lier years, but will remain immortal in that respect. Be not surprised, therefore, if I at once knew those ladies. Though years had passed over their heads, yet in their passage they had merely developed and perhaps heightened but by no means marred and little changed the mingled sweetness and glory of their charms. Obedient to that same impulse which had urged me to address Lord Petersfield, I sprang for- ward and threw myself pointedly, but not rudely, in their way.—‘ What is it ? they both asked in a> breath: and at that moment I can well believe they recollected me not.—* Iam Francis Paton,’ I said; and then I exclaimed, ‘Oh, you recognize me! you know me now” for I saw that they both started and then exchanged looks of mingled uneasiness and surprise. But instantaneously recovering them- selves, and as if in pursuance of the same tacitly un- derstood resolve how to act, they said coldly, ‘ There ia sOrae mistake '—and passed on. I fell back con- At length I heard» OG THM MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. itp as ta ne a ae ae founded, and sank overpowered on a seat: then I burst into tears—for the conviction struck to my soul that all those who could tell me anything of my _ mother, were inspired by the terrible determination “ But I ought to have sus- | to ignore my claims upon their sympathy and their } | Proceed, dear | me to myself: I dashed away the tears from my eyes, eonfidence. The approach of fresh arrivals recalled and rising from the seat, resumed my post at the door ' of the ante-chamber. Then, as1 regained my com- _posure—or at least was able to collect my ideas—I resolved to watch those two ladies when they came forth again—ascertain who they were—and thus endeavour, by making inquiries concerning them, to follow up the clue, if any were thus afforded, in the hope of reaching the desired aim and discovering who that lady was that had left her image so inde- libly impressed on my soul. But in this design I was disappointed. When the concert broke up, some portion ef the visitors took their departure by | one avenue of egress and some portion by another; and thus I missed the two ladies whom I so anxiously sought. From that day forth I have never again seen them.” “Did they not visit the palace again?” asked Juliana. “T cannot say,” replied Francis; “for within a week I was somewhat summarily informed that my farther services would be dispensed with, inasmuch as some reduction was to be made in certain depart- ments of the royal household, and that the juniors in each were to be first dismissed. I was however assured that so far from any fault being found with me, I had given the’ utmost satisfaction; and asa proof thereof three months’ salary was paid and the best testimonials presented to me. I could not help thinking that the true cause had not been assigned for my dismissal: a secret voice appeared to whisper within me to the effect that it was found incon- venient, and perhaps dangerous, in certain quarters to stand the chance of being accosted or importuned, by me when visiting the palace. However, the day came for me to leave—and I departed accordingly.” “Then, no doubt you remembered Lord Peters- field’s promise?” said Juliana inquiringly. “Yes: but it was far less with the idea of seeking his aid in procuring another situation, than to have an opportunity of pleading my cause before him once more, that I sought him at his mansion. The moment I sent up my name his lordship received “me—and received me too with kindness: that is to say, with as much kindness as it is in his nature to show. I told him of my dismissal from the palace, at which he appeared to be surprised; though in my own mind I had the intuitive conviction that this surprise was merely feigned on his part. I threw myself at his feet, beseeching and imploring that he would say but one word to lift the veil which enveloped the past in so much mystery: but he was immovable! He pretended to pity me, and affected to believe that I must be labouring under some monomaniac idea. In short, I could obtain nothing from him in the shape of revelation. He spoke kindly to me, as I ere now said—and observed that he eould at once help me to another situation, as he happened to be aware at the time that his friend Lady Saxondale needed a page. He gave mc a — note to her ladyship ; and thus was it that I entered | this mansion.” Francis Paton ceased speaking; and the big tears : Gomicdoo SS (E©)