The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 269: what you’re looking at

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254 in her behalf. But in what Julisne’s hope con- THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “To be sure. I shan’t forget to do so. But sisted—how she was working—or to what issue the | ebout the allowance ?” whole affair was by her intervention to be brought, the young lady could not possibly conjecture. It was about nine o’clock in the gvening—-after coffee had been partaken of in the drawing-room that Juliana retired to her chamber to hold an- other consultation with herself what course she was to pursue. She had not as yet succeeded in ascer- taining at what hour the travelling-carriage was ordered for the ‘morrow. Her mother had said nothing upon the subject—and she was too proud to ask the question: but without obtaining this particular information, she did not see how it was possible to render the woman whom she meant to visit, useful in forwarding her designs. While she wag pondering in this embarrassment, her chamber door opened, and Mary-Anne made her appear- ance. “TI have some news, Miss,” said the abigail. ‘Her ladyship has this moment issued orders for the carriage to be ready at nine o’clock to-morrow morning.” “This is just the information I required,” ex- claimed Juliana joyously. “Now, Mary-Anne, you must proceed at once to the Marquis of Villebelle, and tell him to be in the immediate neighbourhood with a carriage, post-chaise, or vehicle of some sort by at least a quarter to nine in the morning. Arrange with him where he will be. thus waiting with the conveyance. The rest may be left to me. And, Mary-Anne,” exclaimed Miss Farefield, as the maid was about to quit the chamber, “you must procure for me by some means or another the key of the side-gate, as I shall have to go out to- night.” “You, Miss?” cried Mary-Anne. “Yes: but I cannot enter into explanations now. You shall know everything hereafter. I have all my plans well settled and arranged in my mind. Of course you will accompany my sister to-morrow, should she succeed in escaping from her ladyship and joining the Marquis of Villebelle. And now lose no time—but hasten to his lordship’s lodg- ings.” Mary-Anne accordingly departed to execute this commission ; and Juliana descended once more to the drawing-room, where her mother and sister were still seated—the one a vigilant sentinel, the other a closely-guarded prisoner. Edmund,—who instead of his three hours’ nap, had been sleeping the whole day in order to shake off the effects of the previous night’s debauch,—now made his appearance; and strolling with the half-careless half-languid air of a dissipated rake into the room, with his hat and “ Every arrangement I made with you will be duly carried out by the solicitors.” “ All right,” exclaimed Lord Saxondale. “ And now bye-bye. I wish you all a pleasant journey.” Thus speaking, he waved his hand in a half- patronizing half-familiar fashion, and without offer- ing to embrace either his mother or his sisters, lounged out of the room, to the great relief of Lady Saxondale, who was heartily glad to get rid of him. “ Did I understand my brother correctly ?” asked Juliana, after a pause, and addressing herself to her mother with frigid voice and look, “that it is your purpose to proceed into Lincolnshire to-morrow ?” “Ts this the first. you have heard of it?” asked Lady Saxondale, looking steadily at the elder daughter. “The first. I do not remember that you had condescended to give me any information upon the subject ; and as for poor Constance, she seems to be overwhelmed by some melancholy which I cannot understand, but which at all events has the effect of placing a seal upon her lips.” “Tt is my intention to leave London to-morrow,” said Lady Saxondale. “ Perhaps, then, you will have the goodness to in- form me at what hour you purpose to leave,” con- tinued Juliana, as if previously altogether ignorant on the subject, ‘so that I may make whatsoever pre- parations are necessary.” “T have not as yet decided upon the hour,” re- turned Lady Saxondale, resolved to keep Constance as much in the dark as possible with respect to her arrangements, so that the abruptness and the early hour of departure might take her by surprise, leav- ing no opportunity for escape ;—and though for a moment she had fancied that Juliana might have heard something through the servants, she was now well satisfied to the contrary. Thus the elder daugh- ter’s duplicity deceived the astute and keen-sighted mother. “Tf you are uncertain as to the hour of depar- ture,” said Miss Fairfield, “I had better commence my preparations to-night.” Lady Saxondale gave no answer, but affected to return to the book which lay open on the table be- fore her. Juliana made another quick sign of intel- ligence, indicative of hope, to Constance ; and bid- ding her good night—but without taking any far- ther notice of her mother—left the room. Ascending to her own chamber she whiled away half-an-hour in consulting a map of London, and in preparations for departure, the latter being made in case the gloves on, ready to sally forth again, he said, “ Well, journey should really take place, with or without mother, so I understand you are all going into the Constance. At the expiration of that half-hour, country to-morrow ?” “Such is my intention,” was Lady Saxondale’s cold reply. “Well, I wish you luck. As for me, I would see the precious old castle burnt before I would go and bury myself in it.” | f Mary-Anne re-appeared. « Everything is arranged with his lordship,” she said, alluding to the Marquis of Villebelle. “ He will have a carriage in waiting round the corner of the next street.’’ “ Good,” said Juliana. “ And now for the key of ‘No one asked for your company, sir,” replied the side-door ?” Lady Saxondale ; “ and therefore perhaps you will “Here it is,” replied Mary-Anne. “ Have you spare your comments. By the bye, I may as well any farther commands, Miss?” inform you that if you take that list of which you “No: none at present. Does sae Marquis seem recently spoke, to Marlow and Malton, they will in good spirits ?” attend to it. You understand me?” ee ee Ce —— - —_——---— OE eee “ He is full of hope, Miss, mm consequence cit Uv _ a i i 6 ce ——— se eee tit— si Ce” 0)(0)(0) Ss (©)