The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 353: what you’re looking at

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eeeetheneeeetllieeestameemeteee eee ce 338 THE MYSTERIES OF TIF COURT. Lady Saxondale appeared to reflect for some minutes: and then she said, “It must be at a somewhat late hour to-morrow evening when our mterview takes place; and it cannot be within the castle-walls, I should be exposed to a thousand disagreeable suspicions if you were to visit me here again. As it is, I shall have to invent some excuse tv account for your present appearance here. Do you think, however, that your maid—whom you say you have with youin your chaise—is likely to gossip with my domestics P” “T am convinced she will not, my lady, - I gave no name on my arrival; and therefore you may recognise every inclination on my part to con- duct this negotiation with as much delicacy as possible. In the first place, my servant does not know the object of my coming, nor what the masquerade-dress we have brought with us has to do with my visit; and in the second place, she will not mention my name to your servants, even if they speak to her while she waits in the chaise.” “T thank you, Miss Archer, for these assurances,” resumed Lady Saxondale, whose tone and look had gradually been displaying more affability and con- descension since that p int in the discourse at which she went off on her new tack. “Iam now better able to suggest the requisite arrangements for our interview of to-morrow evening. In the first place, ycu must remove to-morrow from Lincoln to Gains- borough. This latter town is but a few miles dis- tant from the castle; and there is a pleasant walk along the bank of the river, so that without even inquiring your. way, you cannot possibly mistake it. Wil! you to-morrow evening—say at about half-past oine o’vlock—meet me on the bank of the river midway between Gainsborough and the castle?— and the matter can be settled at once. I shall come provided with the money: you on your part will have the masquerade-dress.” ' “ But your ladyship has no objection that I should be accompanied by my maid ?” “ Not the slightest—on condition that you do not tell her whom it is that you are to meet: for how- ever trustworthy you may consider her, I by no means wish to place myself in her power.” “* May she not recognize your ladyship P” “Not through the dark veil that I shall wear— nor in the disguise that I shall adopt in my apparel altogether,” “ But are there no other means, Lady Saxon- dale,” inquired Emily Archer, not altogether relish- ing the extreme mystery of the arrangement, “by which the negotiation can be completed? If, for instance, I were to meet you at Gainsborough to- kept in your own bosom whatsoever you know concerning my affairs—you may present yourself again to me, and I will give you five thousand pounds more as a final and closing reward.” “Your ladyship may depend upon me,” exclaimed Emily, scarcely able to conceal her joy at these golden results of her negotiation. She then rose to take her leave—first however advancing up to one of the splendid mirrvrs in the apartment, and tying the strings of her coquettish French bonnet: then with a theatrical curtsey, which made the ample folds of her rich satin dress swell out like a balloon all around her, Mademoiselle d’Alembert quitted the apartment. She descended to the post-chaise which was waiting; and taking her seat inside the vehicle, from which her attendant soubrette had not alighted, was speedily on her way back again to Lincoln. CHAPTER LXX, THE THOROUGH-BERED. On the following day Mr. Hawkshaw arrived to lunch at Saxondale Castle, shortly after one o’clock, according to invitation given him by the lady of the mansion herself ere he took his departure on the previous evening. He came on a most splendid thorough-bred horse, of which he had spoken the day before, and concerning which Lord Harold had expressed some degree of curiosity. During luncheon, Staunton renewed the conversation relative to the horse; and Mr. Hawkshaw launched forth into enthusiastic eulogies of its brilliant qualities, —at the same time describing it as one which only a fearless rider would venture to mount. “Perhaps,” said Lord Harold, with a smile, “you are not aware, Mr. Hawkshaw, that I am considered by my friends to be a most excellent equestrian; and if you will permit me the oppor- tunity, after luncheon, I will convince you whether I am afraid to take your horse at the highest gate we can find in the fields round about.” “T request, Harold, that you will not be so foolish,” said Florina, who, notwithstanding her diminished opinion of her brother’s rectitude of principle and worth of character, nevertheless still entertained for him too great a sisterly regard not to be frightened at this praposed venture on his art. ? “And I also must interpose my authority,” said Lady Macdonald: “that is to say, if I possess any —which indeed I hope I do. For people in our morrow when you visit your banker fs sphere of life—— . “No, Miss Archer—I am so well known at} “My dear aunt,” interrupted Staunton,—“ and Gainsborough that I oannot risk being talked you also, Florina, I cannot possibly listen to your about. Unless indeed the whole affair be managed fears: or rather you must permit me to tell you with the utmost secrecy, it will not be worth my both that they are quite unfounded. Have I not while to give one single shilling to seal your lips.” | been out hunting often? did I not ride at the cele “Then be it as your ladyship has decided,” re- brated Dunchureh steeple-chase ?” joined Emily. “For my part I do not object to} ‘But, my lord,” said Lady Saxondale, with an whatsoever precautions your ladyship chooses to | air of grave remonstrance, “I think that your aunt take.” and dear Flo have given you most excellent advice; “You must understand that they are indis- and if you will allow me to add the weight of mine, pensably necessary,” said Lady Saxondale, “But I must beg that you think no more of riding Mr. one word more. If you maintain the strictest Hawkshaw’s horse—at least not for the purpose secrecy in respect to all these proceedings—and if of taking any desperate leaps.” the end of ayear from the present time you haye| “What does Mr. Hawkshaw himself say ?” a a ETN de TT, NES eri ate: eS ET GomiGsdooks (CE)