The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 228: what you’re looking at

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

—_—— lS SSS SSS ———————————— — | ‘ ‘ 214 It was now four o’clock in the afternoon—Dysart was conveyed back to Newgate—the Recorder went to dine with Lord Herbert—the Common-Ser- eeant took his place upon the bench—and the trial of petty felons occupied the rest of the evening. The crowd dispersed, each individual remarking to his friend “I wonder when he will be hung !” Meantime the governor of Newgate proceeded to his drawing-room, where Lady Ernestina was seated: and, inasmuch as it suited her purpose to manifest the deepest anxiety relative to the result of the trial, he fancied it to be incumbent upon him to break the tidings as gently as possible. Then she fell into a strong fit: and when she had per- formed this little piece of tragedy, she wildly de- marded to see her dear, dear husband! The governor accordingly conducted Lady Er- nestina to Dysart’s cell: and precipitating herself into his arms, she lavished upon him the tenderest caresses. The governor retired: and then the lady grew calmer. Dysart was completely deceived by her manner, her words, her looks, and her tears; and he fancied she experienced a return ot all that enthusiastic affection which had formerly induced her to become his wife. “T don’t altogether deserve so much kindness at your hands, Ernestina,” he said: “ but I’ll make up for the past when once I am out of this cursed place. Don’t cry—the annoyance and vexation are only temporary——’” “But to think that such a dreadful sentence should ever have been passed!” exclaimed Ernes- tina, with a simulation of the profoundest emo- tion. ‘Well, we were not altogether unprepared for it —at least I was not,” said her husband: “ and, thank heaven, you have got a talisman which willspeedily open these prison-doors. Ah! how surprised the Prince will be to find that the lady of his romantic adventure at Beechey Manor is none other than the niece of his intimate friend the Marquis ot Leveson !” “ And when shall I communicate with his Royal Highness ?” asked Ernestina. “ Since I have returned to my uncle’s residence, he has not once called sf ‘“ You must see the Prince to-morrow, Ernes- tina,” said Dysart, impressively. “There is no time to be lost. The Recorder will make his report next week——” “ Yes—I will see the Prince to-morrow, if pos- sible,” observed Lady Dysart. “Shall I go to Carlton House—or write and beg an interview 2?” _ “Whichever you think advisable. But of course his Royal Highness can do nothing officially until after he has received the Recorder’s report: before that report is made, the Prince is supposed to know nothing of the case. But privately it will be as well not only to prepare him for what he will have to do, but also to exact from him a promise that he will comply with the terms of the solemn com- pact he has signed.” “ Yes—lI will see him to-morrow, Paul,” said Er- nestina: “and afterwards, if it be not too late, L will hasten hither with the particulars of our in- terview.” “And if it should be too late to-morrow evening, you will come early on the following day ?” said Dysart, interrogatively. * Ah! I shall be only too glad to bring you good ——_— ae —s ee - —_ THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. news,” she answered, apparently with much emo- tion. “But the result cannot be otherwise—for the Prince Regent must and shall fulfil the terms of his compact.” “It rests only with you to compel him,” observed Dysart: then, in a solemn tone, he added, “‘Re- member, Ernestina, my life is in your hands!” “And I will save it,” she exclaimed, flinging herself into his arms, She then took leave of her husband;—and as she returned in a hackney-coach to Leveson House in Albemarle Street, she said to herself, “ All sus- picion on his part is lulled asleep—he places the fullest confidence in me—and I must manage to retain it until the very last!” Then, as she threw herself back in the vehicle, she felt a cold shudder thrill through her form at the thought that if her plans were carried out with success, the ground which she had just passed over in the Old Bailey would in a few short days be covered with a densely packed multitude to witness the crowning catastrophe in Dysart’s career: but, angry with herself the next moment for giving way to what she deemed a weakness, she murmured, “ Yes—it is necessary: I must be rid of this demon whom I conjured up to torment me. Ah! it is the tenderest love which turns to the bitterest hatred and seeks for the most ter- rible vengeance !” On arriving in Albemarle Street Ernestina was informed that her uncle the Marquis was en- gaged with Mrs. Owen of Richmond: and she was therefore compelled to wait till this lady had taken her departure, before she could see Lord Leveson, We may observe that Ernestina knew nothing of the conspiracy that had been hatched against the Princess of Wales, and in which the three eldest Misses Owen were engaged: and she therefore attributed her uncle’s intimacy with the mother of those young ladies to an affair of gal- lantry. The Marquis and Mrs. Owen remained in pri- vate discussion together for nearly an hour;—and at the expiration of this interval, when the lady had taken her departure, Ernestiaa had an oppor- tunity of communicating to her noble uncle the result of the trial at the Old Bailey. “Now, then, Ernestina,” he said, with a look of deep meaning, “ you will be enabled to carry cut your projects, as you have explained them to me.” “JT shall, my dear uncle,” she responded: “ but they will require the utmost tact and caution—and I must continue to play the hypocrite towards Dysart with such consummate skill——” * Which you will be enabled to do, Ernestina,” added the Marquis, who seemed to be in a des- perate hurry about something. “But I must leave you to work out these schemes by yourself | —for I am compelled to undertake a journey to France—~” “To France!” exclaimed Lady Dysart, in as- — tonishment. “Yes—and without delay, too--on very im- portant business indeed,” said the Marquis. “I have ordered my travelling-carriage and shall de- part in an hour, the moment 1 have eaten a mouthful of dinner.” * You will travel all night, tia Ernes- i “ ; ‘cloc tina. “Itis now past seven as ante OOS ee r