The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 197: what you’re looking at

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182 tience you must not take it as unkind,” responded Lord Harold Staunton: “for I was thinking at the moment of all that had passed between that lady and myself.” “Then it is really a settled love affair,” observed Edmund. “But I suppose you mean to tell me all about it after showing me the letter: besides which, you and I never have any secrets from each other——” “Oh no, never!” ejaculated Staunton. “ Only on the present occasion I have nothing to tell. Have you amused yourself?” he inquired, en- deavouring to turn the conversation into another channel. “Yes, uncommonly well. I have had such fun with some of the masques: they have endeavoured to find out who I am, but cannot for the life of them. My sisters are here—they are dressed as Maids of Honour in the time of Louis XIV: but my mother is not. I did not much think she would come—and the girls have just told me that she has shut herself up in her apartment at home in a fit of the sullens, or something of the sort. But come, let us go into the refreshment room and seize an opportunity of getting some wine without standing the chance of revealing who we are.” “ Willingly,” answered Lord Harold, glad that he had thus escaped at least for the present from far- ther questioning on the part of Lord Saxondale. We need not dwell any longer upon the incidents, pleasures, or details of the masqued ball at Harcourt House. Suffice it to say that at two o’clock in the morning the supper-rooms were thrown open; and then it was expected—as indeed it was necessary for the purpose of partaking of the banquet —that ull the guests should remove their masks. This was done; and infinite was the amusement produced by the revelation of countenances that now took place. But Lord Harold Staunton did not wait for the an- nouncement of supper; and retired at an hour so early as to astonish and almost disgust Lord Saxon- dule, who declared his intention to remain until the end: but his friend pleaded sudden and severe in- disposition as an excuse for his premature depar- ture. The truth was that Harold was most anxious to reach his own lodgings, and ponder well upon all that had occurred between himself and the unknown lady. He was more infatuated with that mysterious being than it seemed possible for one of his reckless and dissipated character to become, and more than he himself could account for. When he retired to rest, sleep did not soon visit his eyes; and when it did come, he was pursued with the most fantastic dreams, Queen Isabella of Spain appearing conspi- cuous as the heroine. He rose before nine in the morning, and anxiously awaited the arrival of the promised communication. Nor was he kept in suspense much beyond the pro- mised hour. A letter was brought up by his valet Alfred at about half-past nine o’clock, and the ad- dress of which was written in the same disguised female hand as the billet he had shown to Lord Saxondale. On opening the letter he perceived at the first glance a bank-note for one thousand THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. having given vent to that ejaculation, he feil into a profound reverie. CHAPTER XXXIX THE GARDEN. A WEEK had now elapsed since Florina’s dream of bliss had been so cruelly destroyed by the tale she had heard and the discovery she herself had made relative to William Deveril. That tale from the lips of Lady Saxondale naturally seemed to the young maiden to be fully corroborated by what she had seen at the villa near the Regent’s Park; and she could come to no other conclusion than that Deveril was a depraved, profligate, and unprincipled young man. No doubt lingered in her mind upon this point: she would have hoped if there had been room for hope—but there was none: she would still have furnished him with an opportunity of explainipg his conduct —but she felt that there could be nothing to explain. That he was living with the eminent ballet-dancer was clear beyond the possibility of doubt ; and with this proof of his depravity it was impossible any longer to suspect the truth of Lady Saxondale’s narrative. Florina wrestled with all her strength against the grief which she experienced; but the shock had been so rude, the disappointment was so severe, that she could not help feeling it most deeply—most keenly. Her aunt Lady Macdonald, not for an instant sus- pecting the real truth, fancied that Florina was in- disposed ; and the young lady did not contradict the supposition. At the same time she declared that she was not sufficiently an invalid to require the at- tendance of the family physician, but that in a few days she should be herself again. The greater por- tion of the week was passed by Florina in the soli- tude of her own apartments,—but not with her ivory-painting nor her music. All the implements connected with the former did she place out of sight, inasmuch as they reminded her of him from whom she had learnt the art; and as for her music, she was not in spirits to enable her to play enliven- ing airs, and was already too sad to practise melan- choly ones. It was a long and anxious week for poor Florina: often and often did the tears flow down her cheeks—often and often too was her bosom con- vulsed with sobs ! But during that week, had Deveril made no at- tempt to communicate with her? The reader will recollect that when he called at the house on the same day as Lady Saxondale, the door had been shut in his face, and he was dismissed with the in- timation that his services were no longer required, but that he was to send in his account. At first he thought that Lady Macdonald had discovered what had taken place between himself and Florina; and he was thus plunged into the deepest despondency. But on the following day he learnt from other sources how Lady Saxondale had been propagating the most odious calumnies concerning him; and he now at once understood the motive of the treat- pounds; and inside the envelope was written a/ment which he had received at Lady Macdonald's name nothing but a name! house in Cavendish Square. He thereupon ad- “Ah!” ejaculated Lord Harold Staunton as that dressed a letter to Lady Macdonald, stating that name met his eye—the name of the lady’s enemy the tongue of slander had been busy at work to | with whom he was to seek a dispute: and then, i:jue him, and beseeching an oppertunity to et | —— ~— -_— -- — _— -——— —_—— es car —_——-— _ — — ’ | TT ECOMMICLMOOKS (€()