The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 377: what you’re looking at

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$e ene ———— a a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ST ne order to regain possession of those documents, she found that he was prepared to behave towards her with the utmost munificence. Steeped in debt— extravagant to a decree—having athousand wants and no means of gratifying them, inasmuch as her tradesmen refused further credit, and she could obtain but little money from her husband, Lady Curzon eagerly availed herself of the proposals made by her City friend; and in return for the gold with which he profusely supplied her, she re- warded him as liberally with her favours. But to avert suspicion and avoid the chance of scandal, Editha had not herself deen the direct means of introducing the bill-broker into fashionable circles. Lady Lechmere, who was privy to her friend’s intrigue, had cheerfully undertaken this task. Accordingly, Emmerson had first appeared as the guest of Lady Lechmere; and therefore the sup- position was, that in this capacity had he been introduced to Lady Curzon, and thus formed her acquaintance. The reader has already seen that Emmerson was a veritable money-grubber—stern and im- placable in his financial dealings—intensely selfish, upprincipled, and hollow-heacted. But he had be- come conipletely infatuated with Lady Curzon. Not only did her extraordinary beauty and her glowing temperament exercise a maygie influence over a man of strong sensuality and licentious ardour; but his vanity was also supremely flat- tered in possessing so aristocratic a mistress. When he beheld that woman of dazzling beauty, elegant manners, and brilliant accomplishments, enter the ball-room in all the glory, pride, and effulgence of her rank and her loveliness, he felt that it was worth any sacrifice to be enabled to say to himself, “ That woman—the cynosure of all ad- miration—the centre of all regards—the object of all devotion—that woman is mine!” Then, on ac- costing her and being received witk asmile, all the sweetness of which was not allowed to appear in the presence of observers, but was shed upon him as it were in the furtiveness of a rapid sidelong look,—to feel that while men of the proudest titles: and loftiest rank, were gazing with admiration, passion, and desire upon that lady of warm and glowing beauty,—to feel, we say, that he, the mere cit zen, without birth or aristocratic halo, was the master of all those charms,—this was indeed flattering to the pride of a vain, conceited, self- sufficient, and to some extent weak-minded person, such as Emmerson. But he had the good sense not to accost her the moment she entered the room—not to obtrude himself upon her, nor pointedly thrust himself amidst the aristocratic circle of gallants by whom she was immediately surrounded: much less did he attempt to elbow away any one who for a mo- ment might appear to be enacting the part of rivalry. With consummate duplicity Editha had made him believe that she really loved him, and that it was not his gold which purchased her fa- vours, but that he himself was the object of her disinterested affection. -Strong, therefore, in the conceit with which she had thus imbued him, and to which his infatuation rendered him so easily accessible, he exhibited no jealousy when he saw her smiling upon others who were really handsome and possessed of qualifications calculated to wio a woman’s heart, Quietly biding his time, as it SEE ~~ oo oe eee —o = - —-—~ ° <-~ ee eae eee eee - 363 — —— secs. Se ie 7 were, he waited until the first dazzling effects of her presence had passed away, and when the even- ing was somewhat more advanced and her ad- micers began to flit about elsewhere: then was it that Mr, Emmerson availed himself of the oppor- tunity to approach Editha, and take a seat by her side, For a short time they conversed together upon indifferent topics: but presently Lady Curzon rose, saying with a smile, “ Give me your arm, and let us visit the card-room for a few minutes.” Thither they accordingiy proceeded: it was not however, to gaze upon the { card-players, nor to observe what was going on in this room that Lady Curzon had desired to be conducted thither; but it was because there were Comparatively few per- sons in this apartment, and therefore it was more €asy to converse without restraint, According!y, Seating themselves on a sofa at a distance from the card-players, the aristocratic lady and her citizen paramour began to discourse in a confiden- tial manner. ‘You are truly beautiful to-night, Editha,” said Emmerson, gazing with unfeigned rapture upon the charming creature who affected to love him. “ And you also appear to great advantage,” she replied, although in reality his sallow Complexion, hard features, and looks denoting the driver of close bargains, filled her with a disgust which only &@ consummate duplicity enabled her to con- ceal, “ And is it possible,” he said, drinking intoxica- tion from her glances,—“is it possible that you—the courted, the caressed, and the brilliant idol of fashion—really love me, the unpretending, unas- Suming man of business ?” “You know that I love you,” she answered, fix- ing upon him a look that seemed full of passion, while her magnificent eyes vibrated like stars, “ Have I not shown you that I love you? do I not incur constant risks in order that I may lavish upon you the proofs of my affection 2” “Yes, yes,” murmured Emmerson, his head losing itself in the ebriety of his feelings. “ But will you always love me thus ?” “Do you doubt it ?” she asked, her looks assum- ing an expression of mournful reproach. “But did you not love your husband when you first married him ?—then did you not love Colonel Malpas ?” asked Emmerson softly. “Oh! mention not the name of that vile wretch |” exclaimed Editha, the glow of indigna- tion suffusing her splendid countenance and dyeing even her neck and bosom with its mantling vividness. ‘ But yes—we will speak of him for one moment,” she observed, checking her wrath- ful feelings as a sentiment of curiosity suddenly inspiredher: “and that is in order that I may ask what has become of him ?” “He is still an inmate of the King’s Bench,” answered Emmerson. “ He has made two or three endeavours to release himself by what is called bail; but the securities proposed have never been accepted by the judge—and therefore he still lin- gers in prison.” “ Where I hope you iatend to keep him as long as you cau,” said Lady Curzon, with the evident bitterness of a deeply cherished vengeance. * Depend upon if, Editha, I will keep him there | | | ———_——— Se ee ee ee a pe rere eee ee ee DOOKS COMNMUC (CO)