The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 140: what you’re looking at

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—— » THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 126 rolled down his cheeks, as all the incidents of tae past were thus brought sa vividly back to his mind. Again did Juliana do her best to soothe and console him: and the youth was both soothed and consoled! “ But during all the latter portion of your narra- tive,” said the Hon. Miss Farefield, “ you have lost sight of your sister. Believe me, my dear Frank, I am interested in her for your sake.” “‘T have already given you to understand,” an- awered the youth, “that when she was twenty— that was about six years ago—she entered a family in the capacity of governess, and proceeded to the Continent. From time to time I received letters from her, and occasionally little presents, whenever she had an opportunity of sending to England. But at length, after the lapse of a couple of years, her letters ceased altogether. When I became uneasy at this silence, the schoolmaster,—for I was then, _ you know, at Southampton,—said many things to relieve me of my apprehensions; and it even struck me that he knew more than he chose to admit. But this might have been mere fancy on my part. Suffice it to say, Miss Farefield——J uliana——that for the last four years I have heard nothing trom my sister——” “Hush ! footsteps are approaching !” suddenly exclaimed Juliana, whose quick ears had caught the sound. As she thus spoke she pressed the young page’s hand tenderly—threw a fervid look of passion upon him—and then composed herself in her seat with the air of one just beginning to turn over the leaves of a periodical placed in ker d. Francis Paton retreated towards the door, which opened at the instant; and Constance, now elegantly dressed in evening costume, re-appeared. She at once per- ceived by the young page’s manner that Juliana had been speaking to him upon the tender subject the secret of which she herself had that day learnt; and as the door closed behind the beautiful youth, she advanced up to her sister, saying in a gentle voice, “I hope that you are happy now?” “Yes, dear Constance—supremely happy!” ex- claimed Juliana, rising from her seat and embracing her sister in the effusion of that joy which her long interview with the young page had excited in her soul. “I have revealed the secret of my love—and he loves me in return. But you would scarcely believe how intellectual he is! Ob, what a scandal and a shame ever to have doomed Francis Paton to servitude! Besides, he has told me the history of his life; and it is a history so full of strange romance and profound mystery, that I feel for him an illimitable sympathy as well as the tenderest love. But all these things I will explain to you another time——’” At this moment the door opened—and Mary- material. Anne the lady’s-maid entered the room. mestics. But you must keep watch, Mary-Anne— and you also, dear sister!” “Fear not,” responded Juliana: “you shall not be surprised by any one.” Constance accordingly took her guitar, and trip ping lightly down stairs, proceeded to the gardon. where in a few moments she was clasped in the arms of her lover, the Marquis de Villebelle, CHAPTER XXIX. THE LADY’S-MAID.—THE STOLEN INTERVIEW. MaBry-ANNE was one of the handsomest as well as the astutest and discreetest of lady’s-maids. She ‘was a fine, tall, well-grown young woman, of about three-and-twenty—with a figure that had some- thing brilliant and splendid in its Diana-like pro- portions. Many a lady of rank who shone in the gorgeous saloons of fashion, might have envied Mary-Anne that superb shape: for nothing could be more raceful than the slope of the shoulders, the bend in the back, the symmetry of the waist, and the sweeping length of limb whose fine propor: tions were displayed in one sense though concealed | in another by the long skirt of the dress. ] | | Mary-Anne’s countenance was not merely pretty —it was handsome. Her brown hair was of re- markable luxuriance; and whether arranged in plain bands in the morning-part of the day, or in long shining ringlets in the evening, it set off to equal advantage the fine face that beamed with - mingled archness and good-humour. There was something slightly coquettish in Mary-Anne’s air and appearance. She wore an elegant little French cap as if she knew that it became her admirably ; and every detail of her toilet denoted not merely a scrupulous neatness, but likewise a_ tastefulness which nearly bordered upon elegance—that is to say, as much elegance as a lady’s-maid could pos- sibly throw into her apparel. Her clothes were ey1- dently made by no cheap milliner nor clumsy seam- stress, but fitted her as perfectly as if she were a lady of rank and fortune. As a matter of course she had handsome perquisites in the discarded dresses of her young mistresses: but these were never cobbled up anew for Miss Mary-Anne. She accepted cast-off clothes, but would not wear them —not she indeed! She disposed of them to an old Jewess who regularly paid her a visit by the area- steps once every month to purchase whatsvever sho might have to dispose of: so that with the produce of these little sales and a small portion of her owa handsome wages in addition, Mary-Anne was en- abled to find herself in frequent new dresses of good As for the making-up of these dresses, that was done for nothing by the milliner who had “ He is come?” said Constance quickly, while a all the custom of Lady Saxondale and her daugh- glow of pleasure suffused itself upon her counte- ters,—the said milliner finding it entirely to her in. nan?e. terest to keep good friends with so important » “My Lord Marquis is in the garden,” returned person as the Hon. Miss Farefields’ prineipal lady's- Mary-Anne, with the mysterious look of a confi- maid. dante. “Oh, then I will proceed thither at once!” ex- claimed Constance. Mary-Anne had, as we have already stated, a slightly coquettish air; and this, blended witha cor- “Give me my guitar—I will tain archnoss of expression and roguishness of smilo, take it with me—it serves as an apology for bury- gave hera most piquant and interesting appearances. ing myself in the shady recesses of the arbour She looked the lady’s-maid., ehouid I be noticed proceeding thither by the do- ee ee ee ee ee —- eo ---- [rom the midst of a thousand females assembled together, ot every — TL SR PTT ay ER RT a a TS a a a TT i TT COUN) ElOOOLKKS (CO)