The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 380: what you’re looking at

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

ne THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. a footman entered; and presenting him with a card, said, “This gentleman requests an immediate interview with your lordship.” ‘‘Sir John Marston 2” said Lord Petersfield, who seldom suffered himself to be surprised out of his diplomatic gravity. “Well, let him walk up ;”— and yet he was far from liking this visit. In a few minutes the Baronet made his appear- you know ance. He advanced with outstretched hand: but the nobleman received him somewhat coldly, and , terrupted the Baronet. eyed him with a certain degree of suspicion. ‘Many years have elapsed since you and I met, my lord,” said the Baronet, gazing upon him as if to mark the extent to which the ravages of time had gone in respect to the nobleman’s person. “It may be many years, Sir John Marston,” said Lord Petersfield, with his habitual diplomatic caution ; “but I am not prepared to say how many —indeed I should not like to venture a conjecture without careful consideration ——” “Your lordship appears to receive me somewhat coldly,” said the Baronet. ** No—not coldly,” rejoined Petersfield; “but I am not as yet assured—that is to say, I have not yet had leisure to make up my mind whether you are Sir John Marston or not; and I should not like to come to a hasty conclusion.” ‘‘ What nonsense is this, Petersfield ?”’ exclaimed Marston, with a movement of impatience: then as he threw himself upon a seat, he said, “ Come, throw off this diplomatic cautiousness and reserve of your’s: for we have to speak upon important business, I can tell you.” ‘Well, then,” said the diplomatist, “ granting that you are Sir John Marston—and considering from the corroborative evidence of your printed card, coupled with your own deliberate averment, that you may be so——” “Why, you know I am!” ejaculated Marston, stamping his foot with another paroxysm of im- patience. “ What the devil makes you go on in this rigmarole style? Surely a matter of some six- teen years or so has not so changed me that you do not recognize me P” “Personal appearance is not always a trustworthy credential,” remarked Lord Petersfield. ‘ But still, as I was saying——” “The deuce take what you were saying!” inter- rupted the Baronet. “TI will very soon give you a proof that I am that self-same Sir John Marston— Lady Everton’s brother—with whom you and the present Lord Everton did a certain business.” “Enouzsh!” said his lordship, now looking anx- iously around: then rising from his seat, he ad- vanced tu the door—opened it—looked cautiously out—and satisfying himself that there were no eaves- droppers, closed it again. ‘‘ Now, Sir John Marston, what business has procured me the honour—I might perhaps say the pleasure of this visit ?” “That very same business to which I have already alluded,” responded the Baronet. “Do you know my lord that a certain young lady has discovered a clue © “ Eh—what ?” ejaculated his lordship, now speak- ing rapidly enough; and his diplomatic countenance, suddenly losing all its gravity, became expressive of the utmost agitation. ‘Do you mean Elizabeth Paton—or the Marchioness of Villebelle—or what- ever she may call herself?’ __e- 3695 “T do,” replied Sir John: “and if I be not very much mistaker, she at the present moment bears the name of Mrs. Chandos.” “ You are right, Sir John—you are right. Lady Saxondale and Marlow both told me the other day that Frank Paton, whom I placed with her lady- ship, had found a‘sister in that woman. But do “T know that she is a female highwayman,” in- “ It is a most extraordinary thing that I should be staying at Dover when her adventure at the Admiral’s Head took place. I heard something of it at the time, but little thought that Mrs. Chandos—the heroine of that adventure —and our Elizabeth Paton were one and the same person. Ido not read the local newspaper habit- ually; and therefore the account, which gave a full description of her personal appearance, escaped my notice. But yesterday I acgidentally lighted upon the particular number of the Dover newspaper con- taining that report; and as I read on, I was struck with the conviction that Elizabeth Paton is Mrs. Chandos.” “And you are right,” responded Petersfield. “TI have been told that she is Frank’s sister. But what of itP and what connexion have her misdvings with any clue * “ Who said that there was a connexion?” inter- rupted the Baronet. “I tell you that she does pos- sess aclue. You know that Villebelle has married Constance Farefield.” “Yes—I am aware of it,” answered Lord Peters- field. “Indeed, to tell you the truth, I delicately dropped to Lady Saxondale a hint, many munths ago, that the Marquis had a wife living. Of course I did not say how I knew it: I pretended to have heard some such thing rumoured when I was in Paris——” “ Well, but you see the marriage has taken place,” continued Sir John Marston. “ Elizabeth released Villebelle from all engagement towards her—from all bonds or ties——that is to say, so far as she was able. I should have stopped the marriage most effectually, had not Villebelle, when at Dover, whis- pered in my ear a certain name, which convinced me with startling effect that Elizabeth does possess @ clue to past events that may prove dangerous enough for us.” “And that clue?” asked Lord Petersfield, all his diplomatic reserve having given place to intense anxiety. “The name of Lady Everton was breathed in my ears,” rejoined the Baronet. “Ah! this is awkward,” said Petersfield. what did you do? what have you done P” “What could I do? I did not then know where Elizabeth was: nor did I know that she and Mrs. Chandos were one and the same. I thought of doing a thousand things—of hunting her out—of locking her up in a madhouse, if I found her—or even of making away with her if necessary.” “Sir John Marston!” exclaimed Petersfield, be- coming white as a sheet. “Ah! you may affect horror, my lord,” resumed the Baronet: “but I was prepared for anything desperate. .Yet where was I to search for her? AU I knew was that she had recently been to Robson —that’s my attorney, you know—to receive some money I allow her. So 1 wrote to Robson to ask if “ But ——S__ ee ee | eee MICLOOOKS (CO) (CO)