The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 186: what you’re looking at

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woman forced upon her. “T am come to ascertain whether you have found everything comfortable, and also to inquire into your present frame of mind :”—and as Mrs. Martin thus spoke, she fixed her searching eyes earnestly | upon the young captive. “You may surround me with ali the riches of the universe,” was the reply; “ but they would give me no comfort in my present position. As for the state of my mind, it is not to be comprehended by one who has admitted herself to be inaccessible to sympathy as a marble statue.” « At ali events, your spirit is not broken, Miss,” she had displayed on the preceding evening. Henrietta gave no answer: she did not choose to be drawn into a war of words nor. an altercation with Mrs. Martin. end perverse,’ resumed this woman: humour will in no respect tend to your tranquillity. Lord Everton will be here by mid-day: he will see you then—and I should advise you to treat him kindly.” “Infamous woman!” ejaculated Henrietta, her cheeks becoming crimson and her eyes flashing fire —those eyes that were wont to beam with so mild and serene a light. “It is impossible not to com- prehend the detestable meaning which is clothed in your words. all ideas of virtue, at least do not think so ill of gour sex as to imagine that all are equally in- famous.” “These are harsh words, young woman,” choose to be on friendly terms with me ?” and then said, “ If you purpose rs remain here, be | choose to sit.” “So that you may seek another?” was Mrs. Martin’s bitterly uttered response. “ But no—it is nt my purpose to force my society upon you. Perhaps the time will come when you yourself will seck it. For mark me, Henrietta Leyden! a pri soner are you here to remain so long as you refuse the overtures of Lord Everton; and when the days hang wearisomely long upon your hands, you will welcome my presence with gladness,” “‘ Never!” was Henrietta’s emphatie response. The woman threw upon her a mocking glance, and then took her departure, locking and bolting the door behind her, In nervous suspense did Henrietta await the threatened visit from Lord Everton ; and when she > hour of noon, her excitement rose to a pitch that was almost intolerable. She could not settle her mind to the adoption of any particular course. one instant she resolved to overwhelm him with re- proaches—at another to throw herself at his feet and beseech him to restore her to liberty. Then she thought that she would do well to array herself an ——- THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 171 tated to leave upon the mind; and Henrietta would ' the garb of hypocrisy, and by holding out hopes of much rather have remained in the companionship | eventual surrender throw him off his guard and ob- of her own thoughts than have the society of this tain relaxations of her imprisonment which might | furnish an opportunity ef escape. But against this project the purity of her soul revolted: she could not bring herself to play such a game of duplicity, _—and moreover, on second thoughts, she doubted present sufferings. whether it would succeed. with one so wary and ex- | perienced in all degrees of cunning as Lord Everton. Thus, when that nobleman made his appearance shortly after mid-day, Henrietta was in that ner- vous agitated state which left her altogether unde- cided in what manner to receive the author of her His lordship has already beer ' described to the reader as an old man of about sixty- “T am sorry to see that you are alike obstinate | “but such a If you yourself are utterly callous to ‘passions. five, made up with all succedaneous contrivances said the woman, with that same biting irony which | and with all the artifices of the toilet, so as to wear a youthful appearance. Not only was he one of the richest but also one-of the mest depraved and profli- gate members of the aristocracy; and a long career of crime, practised with impunity, had rendered him bold and daring in adopting the means to gratify his Fer this sole purpose indeed did he seem to exist,—regarding wealth on'y as the instrument whereby the aim was to be accomplished, and not as a something whereby he might benefit his fellow- ereatures. We will not pause now to state the cir- eumstanees under which he had become possessed , of the title that he desecrated and the riches that he prostituted. Suffice it tu say that there were some strange tales told concerning him at the time he be- came Lord Everten: but having once succeeded in grasping rank and fortune, he, with characteristic shamelessness, defied the world and laughed at what it said of him. We may however observe here that said no heir to his title or estates. Mrs. Martin, as she bit her nether lip, and her eyes nothing; he had no ambition to perpetuate hie for a moment glared fiercely upon the young cap- name, being utterly indifferent as to what might tive : then suddenly conquering her excitement, she happen in the world when once death should have said, “Am I to understand then that you -do not “called him away from it. he was a widower and childless, and that there was For this he cared He lived, thought, and | acted solely for himself: he was selfishness BST heard the clock of Hornsey church proclaim the disposed towards me At ‘who will be desolate without me. —_— ~~. roe ee ee ————\——_— — Henrietta flung a glance of disgust at the woman, fied! Such was the detestable character who now eRe eo kind as to decide in which of the three rooms you. tered the drawing-room of Henrietta’s apar tmente, with a smirking self-sufficient look, a jaunty air, and a debannair gait. Henrietta had frequently seen him at the Gpera, where she had been perse-~ cuted by his overtures; and then she had thouglit him exceedingly ugly: but now she regarded’ him as a hideous monster—something to be loathed ag well as execrated—something to be shrunk from as well as viewed with mingled indignation and terror. For the farther insight which she had ob- tained into the iniquity of his character since the first moment she set toot in Beech-Tree Lodge, had even the effect of entancing his physical ugliness in her estimation. “My dear Henrietta,” he began, with a tone and manner halt’ of cajolery and half of assurance, “TI am given to understand that you are not very well ” “My lord,” interrupted the damsel, “you have snatched me away from a mother whose invalid state demands all my care, and from a little brother How can I pos- sibly think of such an outrage without execrating the author of it—and perhaps in time burning 40 avenge itt’ ——— -_—— a eeeeEeEEEeEeEeEEEEOEeeEeEeEEEeEeEeEeEeEE | __.__- > allt: ttt tt CC LLL LL LL COL