The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 365: what you’re looking at

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sible grace. _Deveril was one of the finest young fellows in heart # * % * as well as in person, I had ever seen in my life; and % * * * certainly if I could have got near him through the ¥ ® . # * | crowded room, when he had given his testimony, I Mr. Hawkshaw, having called at Saxondale Castle should haye shaken hands with him. But, Ah! in the morning, to inquire after Lord Harold Staun- here is another arrival at the castle! What a num- ton’s health, had intimated his intention of riding ber of visitors her ladyship receives !” across to Gainsborough to learn the fullest particu- | This remark was elicited by the sounds of a car- lars of the terrible tragedy of the previous night. riage rolling up to the entrance of the castle: but He was present throughout,a greater portion of the Juliana, indifferent as to who the arrival might be, examination before the coroner; and when the in- —and thinking only of rivetting the chains of her quest was over, he rode back to Saxondale Castle to fascinations still more strongly than ever around communicate all he had learnt. It was close upon Mr. Hawkshaw’s heart,— turned the conversation the dinner hour when he reached the baronial man- _ away from its previous topic, and skilfully began sion; and he was of course invited to stay—an touching on those themes connected with the sports of the field which were so dear to the Squire. Meanwhile, who was it that had just arrived at the castle? We shall see. But first let us observe that when the post-chaise—for such it was—drove up to the gate, Lady Saxondale was alone in the library, writing some letters. A domestic entered ; and handing a card upon a massive silv.r salver, said, “This gentleman requests to see your lady- ship.” The mistress of the mansion took the card— glanced at it—and read the name of Dr. Ferney. invitation which he did not refuse, as the reader ecarcely requires to be informed. “It would appear,” he said, when reciting the particulars of the inquest to the ladies assembled in the drawing-room, “that Mr. Gunthorpe and Mr. Deveril were on their way last nicht to the castle, when they discovered the murder.” “Tt may be so,” observed Lady Saxondale, draw- ing herself up haughtily: “ but they assuredly would not have been received by me.” Florina, who had started at Mr. Hawkshaw’s announcement, now flung a quick glance of indig- nation at Lady Saxondale as she thus spoke—a glance which her ladyship, however, affected not to perceive. “TI must confess,” proceeded Mr. Hawkshaw, who could not understand why Lady Saxondale had spoken in such a manner of Mr. Gunthorpe and our hero—for the rumours*and scandals of London life had not reached his ears in Lincolnshire, “that I was exceedingly prepossessed in favour of that Mr. Deveril. He gave his evidence in such a plain straightforward manly style—he is such a handsome youth too—and the coroner paid him the highest compliments.” Had Mr. Hawkshaw been looking at Florina at the time he thus spoke, he would have observed that her looks were fixed upon him with an expres- } sion of gratitude which she herself could not at the moment possibly subdue. Oh! how she longed to start up and accuse Lady Saxondale of all the vile perfidy of which she had been guilty: but she dared not. Deveril’s earnest injunctions to the contrary restrained her. At this crisis a footman entered to announce that CHAPTER LXXIV. THE PHYSICIAN AND THE LADY. For some few weeks past, misfortunes and threat- ening calamities had seemed to strike Lady Saxon- dale blow after. blow: but as each fresh source of inquietude manifested itself, she had assumed new courage to encounter it. Before any of these menac- ing casualties first transpired, had it been suddenly foretold to her that so many perils were to rise up in rapid succession before her throughout a coming period of but a few weeks, she would have shrunk appalled from the idea of meeting them—she would have felt that they must prove overwhelming. But she had encountered them nevertheless: she had seen gulf after gulf yawn at her feet—and in the endeavour to stop up one she had with her own hands digged others round about her. All these sources of terror and apprehension had been great; but even as they had multiplied in her path, she had still boldly and resolutely pursued her way—quailing | dinner was served up; and the party accordingly | sometimes for a moment, it is true—but plucking descended tu the dining-room. After the banquet, | up her spirit again, and nerving herself with fresh Mr. Hawkshaw and Juliana walked out together as | resolution to encounter all obstacles and grapple usual in the garden; and the moment they were | with all dangers. alone, the Squire said, “ Pray tell me, Miss Farefield, | Such, up to this point, had been the history of the was I indiscreet in mentioning the name of Mr. | past few weeks with Lady Saxondale. But now a Deveril before your mother? I think that I was—| peril which she had least anticipated—which she I fear so.” had flattered herself to be most remote of all dan- “To tell you the truth,” replied Juliana, “that ' gers that she stood even the shadow of a chance of sarie Mr. Deveril has fallen into sad disgrace with encountering,—this one had suddenly presented my mother: inasmuch as presuming on certain itself before her! For she trembled to the very kindness which she showed him, he fancied that she | nethermost confines of her being at the bare thought was enamoured of Lim—and he was arrogant enough | of being known as Lady Saxondale to Dr. Ferney, But you understand me—I need say no more.” | —he who hitherto for long, long years, had only “Ah! I regret that I should have alluded to known her as plain and simple Mrs. Smith. him in the culogistic terms that I did,” observed | Was it any wonder, therefore, if the card dropped Mr. Hawkshaw. ‘“ But I will be more guarded in from her hand as she took it off the silver salver and luture, It only shows how one may be deceived in caught the name of Dr. Ferney? It did drop, as 350 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. thorpe’s decision; and he did so with the best pos- a person. I could have sworn that this William | ———————————$—$—$—$ Ls eC ee - ee ee eesti —_— mss —_——. ee -+ eee es - — _-- —- TD CORMICLOOOKS. EO