The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 271: what you’re looking at

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ge hour that she tarried at the cottage, there was of | course some conversation. Upon what topic, there- fore, could they talk, save and except concerning the matter to which Juliana had at random alluded, but respecting which Madge Somers naturally fan- cied that the young lady possessed the fullest infor- | mation? So well did the crafty Miss Farefield | manage her portion of the discourse, that until the | end of this interview she sustained in Madge’s | mind the impression that she had known everything previously ; and when she took her leave, she de- rest herself awhile; and during the best part of an ! tress. parted with the full knowledge of all that she wanted | to learn. She took good care to slip ten or a dozen sovereigns into Madge’s hand; and the woman faithfully promised to be at Saxondale House at nine o'clock. ; Of strange contexture were the thoughts of Ju- liana Farefield as she retraced her way across the field into the Seven Sisters’ Road. She had learnt ber mother’s secret: but it was a secret that ap- palled her. If, ere she had set foot within the cot- tage of Madge Somers, she had lived ten thousand years and in that time had exhausted herself in conjectures ag to what her mother’s secret could really be, she never would have lighted upon the truth. The wildest flights of fancy never could have reached that point to which accident had thus suddenly and strangely brought her. Even as she pondered upon that stupendous secret, she felt like one walking ina dream. She could scarcely believe in the astounding reality. Once or twice she actu- ally stopped short to ask herself whether it were indeed true that she had heard what she thought she had heard, and that she knew what she believed herself to know. She looked around to fix her attention upon particular objects near, in order to acquire the certainty that she was really awake and to satisfy herself it was no delusive vision of the night. Then she walked on, and reached the vehicle ‘which was waiting for her at the place where she had left it. , The morning had just begun to dawn,—the brigh summer morning, bringing back the presence of day to arouse a sleeping world, to bid the flowers lift their heads and open their buds, and to signal the matin hymn from the feathered choristers in trees and hedgerows. It was four o’clock when Juliana alighted from the cab in the vicinage of Saxondale House; and with her veil carefully drawn down over her countenance, so as to conceal her features from the observation of fhe policeman whom an amorous cook was just stealthily letting out up the area-steps of a neighbouring mansion,— Juliana sped on to the side-gate. There she let her- self in by aid of the key that she had with her, and passed safely into the mansion. Then, locking the back door, and fastening the bolts so as to avert suspicion of any one having issued from the house during the night, she regained her own chamber. Thoroughly exhausted with her adventure, she speedily sought her couch, and fell into a deep slumber: but the particulars of her interview with Madge Somers followed her in her dreams. She did not awake till eight o’clock, and would not perhaps have aroused herself then, had not Mary-Anne knocked at her chamber-door. Juliana hastened to give her admittance; and the lady’s- THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. But Miss Farefield had not the slightest intention of giving the abigail any account of her nocturnal expedition: she therefore spoke hur. riedly and evasively—promised to tell her every thing at a more fitting opportunity—and purposely gave her some commissions to execute which would occupy the next half-hour and thus prevent farther conversation. Mary-Anne did not perceive that she was treated with any deficiency of confidence, but expressed her delight at the assurance which Juliana vaguely gave her that measures were taken to ensure the emancipation of Constance from the close thraldom in which she was now held. At half-past eight another lady’s-maid—Lucilla by name—knocked at Juliana’s door; and upon being desired to enter, she said, “If you please Miss, her ladyship purposes to leave at nine o'clock punctually, and hopes that you are now ready for breakfast, and that your things are all packed up.” ‘“‘ Here is the box I intend to take with me,” said Juliana. ‘ You can send up one of the footmen to fetch it down and cord it.” Miss Farefield then descended to the breakfast- parlour, where she found her mother and sister already seated at table. Lady Saxondale appeared inclined to unbend in some slight degree towards her elder daughter—probably deeming it conve- nient that they should be upon less chilling terms with each other, especially as they had a long jour- ney before them, during which the frigidity of silence would prove irksome enough. Juliana her- self had no objection to affect an inclination to meet her mother half way towards reconcilement, the better to lull her into the completest security and confidence as to the success of her own plan, so that the counter-plot which was arranged to happen should strike her ladyship with a suddenness that would leave her paralyzed and helpless, thereby ensuring the escape of Constance. “You look pale, Juliana,” said Lady Saxondale with an appearance of concern. “T have not slept well, mother, and have a violent headache.” “The travelling will do you good.” “T hope so,” rejoined Miss Farefield. They talked on in this strain for a little longer; and at ten minutes to nine Lady Saxondale said, “We had now better put on our things; for the travelling-carriage will be almost immediately at the door. We have post-horses, of course. Two of the footmen will ride on the box: Mary-Anne and Lu- cilla will go in the rumble behind.” Juliana once more ascended to her chamber, while Constance accompanied Lady Saxondale to the latter’s suite of apartments. But we should observe that the elder sister had again found an opportunity to make a sign indicative of hope to Constance. Still was this young lady a prey to the deepest sus- pense as to the meaning of all these signals of in- tellizence: but still, likewise, did she derive some consolation therefrom, for she stood so deeply in need of solace! The travelling-carriage, with four horses and two postilions, drove up to the front of Saxondale House. The boxes were all corded in the hall, ready to be stowed away upor the roof of the vehicle, where they were now speedily packed in the usual manner. The two footmen who were to accompany the equi- maid bent an inquiring look upon her young mis- ; page, were in attendance; as were also Mary-Anne ECORNICLOO (C <SEiGO