The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 270: what you’re looking at

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

2. eee — + ed Pe ee ae = THE MYSTERIES OF assurance which I have given him that you are doing your utmost in behalf of Miss Constance.” “And we will succeed, too, Mary-Anne!” ex- glainied Juliana in a tone of confidence: “I am cer- tain we shall succeed. You had however better not remain here any longer now; but bring me word > when my mother and sister and the household have retired,” Mary-Anne accordingly left the young lady’s chamber; ‘and another hour passed. It was now eleven o'clock; and the faithful abigail returned with the intimation that the inmates of the mansion had sought their respective chambers. Juliana was in readiness for her expedition. She had already put on a common straw garden-bonnet—the plainest dress she had in her wardrobe—and also the most unassuming shawl that she could find. Stealing down stairs, followed by Mary-Anne who carried the light, she passed out of the rear of the premises —issued from the side-gate—and telling the faithful maid that she need not sit up for her, hastened away in the direction of Oxford Street. There she entered a cab, and directed the driver to take her up to the Seven Sisters’ Road in the neighbourhood of Holloway. This ride took the best portion of an hour; and it was midnight when the intrepid Juliana descended from the vehicle at the commencement of the Seven Sisters’ Road. She paid the man liberally before- hand as an earnest of her good faith that she would return; and bidding him wait for her, no matter how long, she hastened along the road. It was a peautiful clear night—so bright and lovely indeed that the small print of a book might have been read; and therefore all objects were visible to even a considerable distance. The map of London and its | environs which the young lady had taken care to eonsult previous to leaving home, had sufficiently defined to her comprehension the whereabouts of the Hornsey Wood Tavern ; and from what she had gleaned from her brother’s lips she had little diffi- eulty in discovering the cottage of which he had spoken. But when she turned out of the main road and began to traverse the field which it was neces- sary. to pass through in order to reach the place of destination, she could not help feeling a sense of utter loneliness; and this being the first time in her life she had ever found herself in such a position— alone, at the midnight hour, in the open country,— it is no wonder if for a minute she experienced a vague and shuddering terror. But naturally en- dowed with a strong mind, she speedily recovered her fortitude, and resolutely advanced towards the cottage. . She now observed that it was indeed a wretched poverty-stricken tumble-down habitation ; and as in the minds of the upper classes the loneliness and misery of a dwelling invariably associate themselves with the idea of treachery and crime, Juliana again felt that sense of shuddering terror come over her which she had already experienced. She therefore hesitated to proceed any farther with her present adventure: but the next moment conquering her fears, and blaming herself for even transiently giv- ing way to them, she entered the little enclosure surrounded by the broken fence—advanced up to tne door—and knocked with her closed hand. , For a few moments al! continued silent within ; and Juliana began to fear that the woman might T2EH COURT. 255 not be at home. She knocked again: an upper window was then opened—and a harsh voice, bit just sufficiently feminine to show that it wes s woman’s, demanded who was there. “T wish to speak to you for a few moments,” re- plied Juliana, “ on very particular business.” “ But who are you? and from whom do you come ?” inquired the speaker from the window. “ Are you the same person who has been on two or three occasions to Saxondale House?” asked. Juliana, though by the glimpse she caught of the countenance which was now thrust forth from the window, and which was surrounded by a great white cap, she felt assured she was speaking to the right individual. “Yes—I am the same. Wait a moment: Iwill let you in.” The window was closed; and almost immediately afterwards the rays of a light glimmered forth through the dingy panes. Juliana heard the woman moving about in the room above as if hurrying on some clothing; and in two or three minutes more, steps were heard descending the stairs within. The door was now opened; and the woman ap- peared, holding a light in her hand. The glance which Juliana threw upon her at once cleared up any doubt which might have remained in respect to her identity. She had on the dirty white cap, and had thrown over her shoulders the dingy cloak that had been previously mentioned by Francis Paton and Edmund; and moreover her features exactly answered the description given from the same sources. Juliana entered the hut, and was conducted into the little wretchedly-furnished room on the ground- floor. Madge Somers looked very hard at the young lady; and instantly recognizing the likeness, she said, “Why, you must be Lady Saxondale’s daughter ?” “T am,” replied Juliana; “ and therefore you may suppose it is under no ordinary circumstances that my mother has sent me to you this night.” “ For what purpose?” asked Madge, in her own terse and dogmatic style. “Lady Saxondale wishes to see you on most par- ticular business at nine o’clock punctually in the morning. Can you be at Saxondale House precisely at that hour ?” “T can—and I will,” answered Madge, evidently astonished at the invitation. “Is anything wrong, Miss ?”” * «My mother will herself explain the business,” answered Juliana. ‘Of course it is connected with the secrets subsisting between yourself and her of “But am I to understand,” interrupted Madge, looking very hard at Juliana, “that her ladyship has afforded you any insight into those secrets ?””’ “ Surely your own good sense must tell you,” re- joined Miss Farefield, meeting the woman’s gaze with the steadiness of her own, “ that my mother could scarcely have entrusted me with such a mis- sion as this, unless she had given me the fullest ex- planations. I do indeed know what the secret is that enables you to hold my mother in your power,” added the wily Juliana, hazarding the remark in order to draw out the woman. And cunning though Madge herself was, yet Miss Farefield did succeed in drawing her out. She pretended to be weary, and was therefore invited to Se Sees Se ee ee ee ee eee a COMmICLOOOKS (CO)