The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 247: what you’re looking at

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232 ished at the implied threat. ‘What rancour can you possibly entertain against me on account of this most untoward discovery ?” “Because, mother,” replied the daughter, the words hissing between her set teeth as if they came from the tongue of a serpent,— because, mother, you are gloating over my discomfiture! Yes—in your sccret soul—beneath that air of ingenuous wonderment which you have just put on—you exult in the sense of despair and shame which I now ex- perience. But beware, mother—beware, I repeat it may sume day be my turn to exult and to triumph !” With these words Juliana Farefield quitted the room; and Lady Saxondale muttered to herself, “Ah! you may threaten, proud spirit! but in the meantime I have triumphed: for I have succeeded in creating an eternal barrier between you and your plebeian lover! Little do I understand your haughty character if I may not comfort myself with the conviction that you will not seek after him acain.” With this exultation inspiring her thoughts, Lady Saxondale returned into the drawing-room to trans- act her business with Mr. Marlow. ewe CHAPTER XLXIX. @HE DIPLOMATIST MYSTIFIED. Tue reader is now perfectly aware that Frank Paton’s sister was none other than Lady Bess; and therefore we need endeavour to sustain no father secrecy on that head. After parting from ‘her brother in the manner already described, she hesi- tated for a few moments whether she should pro- ceed on some business which she had in hand at the time she met him—or whether she should carry into effect a project which had just been sug- gested by certain things she had heard from Frank’s lips. She decided on the latter course, and repaired accordingly to Lord Petersfield’s residence in Port- man Square. To her satisfaction she learnt that his lerdship was at home; and on being asked by the footman who opened the door what name he should announce, she replied that being a total stranger to his lordship it was needless to mention any name at all. The footman hesitated for a mo- ment, well aware that his cautious and suspicious master would not be over well pleased to receive a person refusing to give a name: but looking a se- cond time at the visitress, and observing that she was a well-dressed lady, of handsome, elegant, and almost fashionable appearance, he resolved to run the risk, and requested her to walk in. Lady Bess was conducted up-stairs to the apart- ment where his lordship was at the time ; and he rose from the chair in which he was seated at the table. He looked grave and serious—more solemn indeed than usual : for he had not failed to observe the omission in respect to the announcement of the lady’s name. reserved politeness, and indicated a chair. “TI believe,” said Lady Bess, as she took the seat, “that I have the honour of addressing Lord Peters- field ?” | > Ido not know——that is, I cannot exactly say,’ responded the wary diplomatist, fearful of com- He however bowed with a sort of a a I THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. promising himself by an unguarded answer. “Te tell you the truth, I am not accustomed to have such exceeding home-questions put to me all ina moment—and by a lady who, pardon my saying s0, has not as yet announced her own name.” “ At all events, I take it for granted,’ Lady Bess immediately observed, “ that I am addressing Lord Petersfield. Perhaps I may experience a little con- fusion on finding myself in the presence of one who has conducted the diplomatic affairs of this country with so much success at the principal European Courts on several occasions :”—and as she spoke, she bestowed her sweetest smile upon the old peer, as if intent upom making an impression on his heart. “Really, ma’am,” said Lord Petersfield, who had hitherto remained standing, but now slowly de- posited himself back again in his arm-chair, “I know not how to receive these _compliments— whether indeed I ought to receive them at all—— or if receiving them, how to answer them——and if answering them, to what result our discourse may” lead. Pardon me, ma’am—but you have forgotten to mention your name . “ Your lordship must suffer yourself to be flat- tered,” Lady Bess hastened to observe, affecting not to have noticed his last remark: “ because any one who has rendered his country such great services, merits the gratitude o every individual.” “T think, ma’am,” said his lordship, now looking so grave that it was utterly impossible to look graver, “that a lady who understands the merits of a cautious diplomacy as you certainly appear to do, should commence by stating at the very outset the name and business——” “TI know,” interrupted Lady Bess, “that I ought to apologize tor thus intruding myself upon your lordship ; but so convinced was I of your lordship’s urbanity, courtesy, and I might almost say chival- rous gallantry, that I felt a greater degree ot confi- dence in calling on your lordship than under other circumstances I should have done.” “ But, ma’am,” interrupted the nobleman, getting bewildered—and it began to occur to him that his own ideas must be rather foggy at the moment, as he could not for the life of him discern amidst the cloud of his visitress’s words what she could possi- bly be aiming af: “but, ma’am—ma’am——I—— TP intaitagemet “You do well to interrupt me, my lord,” said Lady Bess, hastening to speak again; “because I feel that my own intellect is so shallow in com- parison with your lordship’s, that. I have possibly wandered from the subject-——” ‘“ Wandered from it, ma’am ?” exclaimed Peters- field, a little impatiently; “I do not know that you have yet been near it. Pardon me if I observe, ma’am——” “Some years ago I was in Paris,” interrupted Lady Bess, starting off again at another tangent,— “and I can assure you, my dear Lord Petersfield, that your name was quite revered in all the highest circles of Parisian society. Whenever a comparison was to be made with a great diplomatist, it was in- variably the name of Lord Petersfield, which was quoted for the illustration. Therefore, my lord, such being the fact—and I being here to tell it te you—and your lordship being there to listen t it-—— “ Really ma’am, I must again beg your pardon,” a ST manLNENEENIDATEUMNENNNNINGLA I ECOMICcoooxs (€@)