The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 268: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

0 Oe SN RTT SES PS Lay, FN a aa THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. cree “Vell, come, I will tell you, as you are older. than me and quite a woman now, and therefore must know that such things are done.” “ T suppose you mean that you have a mistress ?” said Juliana. “That’s exactly what it is. Such a sweet pretty creature! I am sure you would like to see her.” “How can you say so?” exclaimed Juliana, af- fecting indignation, “And Florina—what would she think P” “Oh! bother, she needn’t know it. But I can tell you that it was quite a series of romantic adven- tures that threw Emily in my way,” continued Kd- mund, whom liquor had made boastful and gar- rulous. ‘“ Now do listen, Julie—it is suchfun. The fact is, I was after Angela Vivaldi——you know the celebrated danseuse ; and I was led to believe she lived in a sweet little villa up beyond Holloway —the Seven Sisters’ Road, they call the place. I dare say you know nothing about it: but it’s a beautiful part of the suburbs. Well, pursuing my inquiries there, I fell in with such a strange woman—you never saw the like. I,will just tell you what sort of a creature she is. She isn’t so tall as you are— what would be called of a middle height for a woman : her hair was once black, but now turning gray. You never saw such masculine features in your life—and such eyes, dark in colour but bright as burning coals. Her great thick brows meet above her nose. She looks just hike a man in disguise. Then, to complete this picture, fancy to yourself an old dingy coloured cloak and a dirty white cap on her head “Ah!” ejaculated Juliana, as a sudden thought flashed across her brain: for the picture of this woman exactly answered the description which Frank Paton had given her of the one who had called at Saxondale House. “ Why do you cry out like that ?” asked Edmund, looking at his sister with surprise. “ Have I frightened you with the portrait? Ishall astonish you now with what I’m going to tell you. I was fool enough to employ this harridan to be a go- between for me and the supposed Angela—I say sup- posed, because it wasn’t Angela who lived at the villa after all—but beautiful Emily Archer, whose dramatic name is Mademoiselle D’ Alembert.” “Well, but what about this woman?” asked Juliana. ‘“ Youhave interested me in her—I fancy you found her capable of any treachery or mischief by your description——” “Treachery!” echoed Edmund. “I don’t know what the deuce it was: but in the middle of the _night—for I went to sleep at her cottage—she sud- denly came and awoke me, ani in a strange state of excitement bundled me out of the place. I really did think I saw a dagger in her hand: but it might have been fancy. Well, after that, I fell in with seven mounted highwaymen, led by a woman disguised as a man——” “Ah!” ejaculated Juliana. “ Go on.” “T have not the slightest doubt she was the one that stopped Marlow and Malton,” continued Kd- mund: “for she called herself Captain Chandos to me——” “The female highwayman indeed!” observed Juliana, who experienced a sad sickening at the heart, as she remembered that this was the sister of her much-loved Francis Paton ee LLL LLL LLL 253 “Yes: butif she had been alone, she wouldn't have succeeded zo well, I can tell you,” exclaimed Lord Saxondale. ‘“ But with five ruffians-to back her “ [thought you said seven,’ remarked J uliana. “ Ah! five or seven, they were quite enough to overpower me in spite of the desperate resistance I. made. I think I must have nearly done for one of them, and seriously eke bo amther. You don’t know how I fought “ But that strange woman,” said J uliana—‘ where did you tell me she lived? Do you know, my dear Edmund, I am very much interested in these adven- tures of your’s: so you must tell me all the details. In the Seven Sisters’ Road, you say ?” “Just in that neighbourhood. The harridan’s cottage is situated in a field upon the left as you go up—not far from Hornsey Wood Tavern. It’s a@ lonely and queer place. But why do you ask so many questions? Are you anxious to visit the scene of my adventures ?” ‘Heaven forbid! But you had better go up- stairs now and lie down: you look very much in wantof rest. I dare say we shall have an oppor- tunity presently of renewing our chat.” “Weil, I do feel uncommon seedy,” rejoined Ed- mund, with another terrific yawn: “so 1 will take your adyice.” Thus speaking he quitted the dining-room where this colloquy bad taken place: but Juliana re- mained there for a few minutes to reflect upon all she had just heard. She was determined to see this woman of whom she and her brother had been speaking. She had two reasons for resolving upon this course: first, that she might endeavour to glean the cause of the mysterious connexion be- tween her mother and that female—and secondly, that she might make the woman in a certain way serve her design of giving freedom to Constance. Her first thought was to set off at once and find the woman without delay: but a second thought showed her the necessity of waiting till she had as- certained the precise hour when the travelling- carriage was to be at the front-door on the morrow. Moreover, even if she were at once acquainted with this fact, she still saw the prudence of delay, be- cause if she went so soon, the woman might take it into her head to call upon Lady Saxondale im- mediately afterwards, instead of waiting till the hour when Juliana meant to tell her to be at the house—and if she did thus call prematurely, the young lady’s scheme might be defeated. Therefore, having well reflected upon the matter, Julana resolved to postpone until the evening her contem- plated visit. We need not dwell upon any farther details in respect to the vigilant guardianship exercised by Lady Saxondale over Constance throughout this day. Suffice it to observe that never did military sentinel more jealously or closely watch a prisoner than this patrician lady did her younger daughter. The only consolation experienced by poor Constance, was derived from the circumstance that Juliana contrived, unseen by her mother, to» make another significant sign indicative of hope. Constance there- fore saw that her sister either suspected, or had by some means, ascertained the precise cause and na- ture of this vigilance which their mother was ex- ercising over her, and that she was secretly workiny eee ee | | | | | nn E® JOO S (CO)