The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 389: what you’re looking at

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874 THE MYSTERIES OF THE CO URT. might see the extent to which Lord Harold and , Lady Macdonald, I will stay in London, an‘ show yourself would go in your endeavours to enmesh me in your snares. If Lord Harold showed you the next day the letter which I sent him, you must have seen full well that not for a single moment was I made your dupe. I suffered myself to be robbed of a few thousand pounds for a certain reason of my well to attend to what Lady Macdonald may have to say.” you that I can become more steady.” “Tam glad, Edmund,” said her ladyship, in @ kinder tone than she had before used, “ to hear you talk in this manner; and I do most sincerely hope that you will reform. I think you would do well te absent yourself for a time — especially as you are own——But of that no matter. You would now do. * Well then, what is it?” demanded Edmund, his | lips trembling with rage as he bent his spiteful looks upon Florina’s aunt—while the young damsel her- self sat by Mr. Gunthorpe’s side, grave and serious, and with her eyes bent down. “TI do not wish, Lord Saxondale,” resumed Lady Macdonald, “to touch more than is necessary upon that lamentable occurrence which, if you possess any heart at all, must have affected you. But it is ne- cessary for me to state that I consider your conduct in maintaining such a connexion while formally en- gaged to my niece, to have been most disgraceful. Therefore, you cannot be surprised when I request that you will consider her engagement with your- self to exist no longer.” “Indeed, I shall consider nothing of the sort!” he exclaimed flippantly. ‘“‘I am well aware that Flo loves me—I am sure of it—although she may be offended at the moment.” “Lady Florina Staunton,” said the aunt, with severe tone and look, “has only been kept in the room during this unpleasant scene, that she may, if necessary, give from her own lips an assurance en- tirely corroborative of mine.” What!” ejaculated Edmund: “ do you mean to tell me, Flo, that you don’t love me? I’m sure you won't say that ?” “T am compelled to speak plainly and frankly in this matter,’ replied the young maiden, with a modest dignity. ‘I am desirous, Lord Saxondale, that the engagement should be broken off between us.” “Jt is you who have done this mischief!” cried the nobleman, starting up from his seat and ad- dressing Mr. Gunthorpe menacingly. ‘“ You are poking your nose in everywhere — bullying my mother in the first place—and now thrusting your- self into my affairs. What the deuce does it all mean? and pray who are your” “ Lord Saxondale,” said the old gentleman, slowly rising from the sofa and bending a stern look upou the aristocralic stripling, “it is altogether useless for you to affect the airs of toe bully with me. If you dare to talk thus in the y;vesence of one of your own sex, it is not diflicult to imagine what your conduct would be beture thvuse ladies, were they unprotected and alone.” “Oh! don’t take things up quite so sharp,” ejacu- lated Edmund, overawed by the old gentleman’s demeanour: then turning to Lady Macdonald, he said, “I hope you will turgive me for the past—l don’t want to break off with Flo—I am very fond of her—and I will turn over a new leaf and be quite steady. Indeed, I mean to leave London for two vr three months: I have just been with Lord Pe- terslicld, who is going as Ambassador- l!xtraordmary ty Vienna—and | am to accompany him. The fact ts, Tam heartily sick of the liie L have been lead- ing, and want change of scene: but if you desire it, sleet inns ties A A A ee eee —— A going with your guardian Lord Petersfield—a noble- man of such high honour and integrity ——” Here a suppressed ejaculation from Mr. Gun- thorpe drew all attention towards him: but he sud- denly fell into a fit of coughing so as to cover the abrupt paroxysm of grief and rage into which that eulogy upon Lord Petersfield had thrown him. “ Yes, Edmund,” continued Lady Macdonald, “you will do well to proceed to the Continent. But the decision which you have heard pronounced, is irrevocable; and from this moment you must look upon Florina only as a mere acquaintance. I shall to-morrow write to Lady Saxondale to inform her that the engagement is broken off.” Edmund turned abruptly away—muttered some threatening words to Mr. Gunthorpe, who heeded them not—and flung himself out of the room, bang- ing the door violently behind him. A few minutes afterwards Mr. Gunthorpe himself took his depar- ture, and entering his carriage, ordered it to drive to William Deveril’s villa near the Regent’s Park. He found our young hero and Angela walking together in their little garden. The beautiful maiden was now fully acquainted with her brother's love for Florina; and we need scarcely say that she entertained the most fervent hope it would be crowned with happiness. They knew that Mr. Gun- thorpe had written to Lady Macdonald at Saxon- dale Castle—knew also that in this letter he had made an appointment to call upon her at her own house in Cavendish Square on that particular after- noon of which we are speaking—and they therefore expected that he would call at their villa on his way back to Stamford Hill. Nor were they disappointed: for at about five o’clock in the evening, their worthy old friend made his appearance. Most cordial was the greeting he received from the brother and sister : they conducted him into their tastefully furnished parlour—and he gladly accepted of some refresh- ments; for he had taken nothing since he left his own house in the morning. Not a single word to William and Angela did Mr. Gunthorpe breathe of the circumstances which had so deeply saddened him that day: butewhen he had taken a glass of wine and a mouthful of food, he proceeded to speak upon the subject for which he had specially called on the present occa- sion. “TI told you, my dear young friends,” he said, “that L wrote four days back to Lady Macdonald at Saxondale Castle, explaining to her sufficient to tnake her comprehend the necessity of withdrawing herself and her niece at once from Lady Saxon- dale’s society. Lacy Macdonald, not choosing to break with Lady Saxoudale abruptly until she should have received fuller particulars troua my lips, proffered some pretext to account for the speedy de- oarture of herself and Florina from the castle. Chey arrived in town yesterday; and just now, ac- cording to an intimation which 1 gave Lady Mae- donald in my letter, L called in Cavendish Square. Need I tell you, William, that you now stand hisher im (EO) VNOOKS (€@)