The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 309: what you’re looking at

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294 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT, be now : that is to say, if the Marquis were really in a condition to take a second But no matter. Lady Saxondale, I was observing, has her troubles: ler son is a source of annoyance to her; and the aidden death of a faithful old servant, which hap- pened the other day, has likewise contributed to her sorrow. Now, I will appeal to you, Mr. Gun- thorpe, whether you will increase her ladyship’s vexations by assailing her character through the medium of a law-court P” “Much as I regret the misfortunes of others, I cannot consent that their offences should be glossed over. Mr. Deveril’s character must be vindicated. State how many days you require for reflection upon the subject, or to communicate with her ladyship, and the delay shall be granted. But if at the end of that interval nothing satisfactory is done, then I am determined that my attorney shall at once take cne necessary steps on Mr. Deveril’s behalf. And I warn you that we are not without evidence——” But here Mr. Gunthorpe stopped short. “We had better talk it over, Marlow,” suggested Mr. Malton: “and therefore let us request Mr. Gunthorpe to suffer the matter to remain in abey- ance for one week.” * With all my heart,” responded the old gentle- man: and making his bow, he forthwith took his departure. | CHAPTER LXI. HUSBAND-HUNTING “Tt is precisely what you are feeling also.” “And you therefore think,” said her ladyship, “that we had better come to an understanding ?” “My views in this respect,” was Juliana’s rejoitt- der, “are identical with your own.” “ You mean to stipulate,” said Lady Saxondale, “for perfect liberty to act as you choose, and to be free from maternal control ?” “And you on your part,” said Juliana, “will pursue your own course after your own fashion ?” “Then, whatever I may know of you, shall be the same as if not known at all.” “ And your secret shall not escape my lips. There shall be no prying into each other’s affairs—no ac- cusations, and therefore no recriminations.” ‘That is exactly what I should propose,” re- sponded the mother. “But if you would allow me to offer you my advice, Juliana, you would marry at the very first opportunity, Indeed, the sooner the _better—for fear that your amour with Francis Paton should be followed by certain consequences.” “Such is my intention,” returned Juliana ; “and for particular reasons of my own, I shall endeavour to find either a very old, doting, but wealthy hus- band—or else some country squire, who has more money than brains, and will think too much of his horses and his hounds to devote any particular at- tention to the proceedings of his wife.” “ You will scarcely find it difficult to pick up such a husband as this in Lincolnshire. There is Mr. Hawkshaw of Hawkshaw Hall—a fine, dashing country squire——” “Thank you for the hint, mother. I remember him well: he has known me since I was a girl, And TURN we now again to Saxondale Castle m Lincoln. , by the bye, he is very intimate with the Denisons, shire. where we are going to-night. You have told me Lady Saxondale and Juliana were seated at break- | what you would advise me to do,” continued fast a few days after their arrival; and if there were Juliana, after a pause, “and I on my part should not a positive friendliness, there’ was at all events counsel you to get that woman——what is her a less chilling reserve than there lately had been name? Madge Somers, as they call her——out between them. As for love or affection, those bonds , of the country as soon as you can.” were completely broken, never to be united; andas| “It is already done,” responded Lady Saxondale. for filial respect on the part of the young lady to- | “The other morning, when she came to Park Lane, wards her mother, that was likewise a sentiment I gave her five hundred guineas, on condition that which could never have existence again. To suit she would at once depart for America—with the their own purposes—and indeed to disarm each promise that on her arrival in New York, if she other of the malignant spite which, if given vent to, wrote to let me know she was there, I would de- would work reciprocal mischief—they had agreed upon a sort of peace. The overtures had not pro- | ceeded from one more than from the other: but they had both felt that they could not possibly live longer upon such terms—a freezing silence when alone to- gether, and the simulation of a friendly discourse in the presence of the domestics. They had both alike | calculated the folly and danger of maintaining a rancorous enmity against each other; and they knew too much of one another’s secrets not to feel that it was better to come to an understanding in | respect to the future. Thus was it that on this par- ticular morning, shortly after they met at the breakfast-table, they looked at each other; and the glances they exchanged, showed them that each had come to the same resolution, and that so far as re- concilement was possible it ought to take place. | “T know what is passing in your mind,” said Lady Saxondale. | “And you are entertaining precisely the same thoughts, mother,” was the answer. “You feel that we cannot go on thus 2” spatch her a like sum.” “Youshave acted prudently,” observed Juliana, “T only hope that she has sailed. Doubtless she has plenty of money with her: for that was not the first sum you had given her ?” ‘“‘No: [had previously given her money. Do you know what that woman’s mania was? Shetold me, Tt was gambling.” “Gambling! a woman?” ejaculated Juliana, in surprise. “Yes. From what she said, there is some low place in London frequented only by female game. sters—and she was one. She always lost, and yet could not abandon the habit. To gratify her pro- pensity she lived in that hovel where you found her, and was always’clothed in a sordid and wretched garb. But enough concerning the wretch. You and Ihave come to a certain understanding, and let us adhere to it,” “It is my intention,” responded Juliana. “And now, since we appear to be growing a little more communicative than we have lately been, would you ECORNICLOOO <=) (€©)