The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 53: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 39 “J do not, sir,” answered Louisa: “ but I pre- sume that you are a clergyman.” “You have doubtless heard of the Honourable and Reverend Bernard Audley, one of the Minor Canons of Canterbury Cathedral?” said the cler- gyman, giving utterance to his name and distine- tions with the measured tone and deliberate manner of one who felt conscious, or at least expected, that they would make a due impression upon the mind of the hearer. “¥ have heard of you, sir,” replied Louisa, ex- periencing that sensation of reverential awe which seizes upon the timid mind when suddenly made aware of the presence of some great or dis- tinguished personage. * And now, then, will you believe that I am animated by the best and kindest motives in prof- fering you my counsel?” asked Mr. Audley, in his blandest tones. *¥ could not suppose that it was otherwise,” said the young maiden. “But you spoke of dangers——” “Tell me who you are,” interrupted the Minor Canon. “Do you dwell in this neighbourhood— with your parents——’ * Alas! sir, I have no parents living,” returned Louisa, in a tremulous tone: “but I live at a short distance hence—with an afflicted relative, who has lost the faculties of reason and speech: and an only sister, whom I dearly love, is now on a visit to some friends in London——” * And you are therefore alone with this afflicted relative?” said Bernard Audley, as his eyes swept with a sort of ravenous expression of desire over the. beauteous form of the innocent maiden. ** Alone—with my poor aunt,” murmured Louisa, with downcast looks and trembling voice: for the turn which the discourse had just taken, reminded her of her lonely condition and revived her regrets at the absence of her sister. “Now tell me your name, young lady—and where you live,” continued Mr. Audley: “and I will prove a friend to you.” As he thus spoke, his eyes swept rapidly up and down the umbrageous avenue—and, observing no one near, he took the maiden’s hand. But, with the instinctive impulse of virgin purity, she in- stantaneously withdrew it—and at the same mo- ment a young gentleman sprang up from a bench which was deeply set as it were in the shade of some thick evergreens. His appearance was so sudden and was made with such startling abruptness, that a faint ery of min- gled surprise and alarm fell from the lips of Louisa Stanley—while the Canon gave vent to an ejacu- lation expressive not only of annoyance, but also of recognition with regard to the new-comer. “Mr. Audley,” exclaimed the young gentleman, fixing his eyes indignantly upon the Canon, and speaking in a voice that seemed to imply some conscious power of command over the individual thus imperiously addressed,—* Mr. Audley, this lady cannot possibly be benefitted by your friend- ship. You understand me, sir !” “But, my dear Mr. Loftus, you mistake me— J can assure you that you are doing me an injus- tice!” said the Minor Canon, in a tone that was alike entreating and deprecatory. “fnough, sir! I understand you but too well,” returned the young gentleman, with haughty in- dignation: then, fixing his eyes upon Bernard Audley with a deeper significancy than those looks had even expressed at first, he said in a low and rapid whisper, ‘‘Remember the scene in the clois- ter—and begone !” A cloud, black as night, suddenly overspread the features of the Minor Canon of Canterbury Cathe- dral: and darting a look of diabolical hatred upon the young gentleman, he turned abruptly away and disappeared behind a group of trees forming the angle of a gravel-walk that diverged from the great central avenue. CHAPTER X. JOCELYN. Tue little incident which so promptly disembar- rassed Louisa Stanley of the presence of Mr. Ber- nard Audley and left her in the company of Mr. Loftus, scarcely occupied a minute. But the whole proceeding, brief as it was, naturally excited the utmost wonderment on the part of the young maiden. She did not however catch those last words that had produced such sudden and talis- manic effect upon the Canon by so forcibly re- minding him of some scene in the Cathedral cloister: but she saw enough to convince her at the instant that Mr. Loftus exercised a potent Sway over the reverend gentleman. Trembling and almost sinking with the prolonged excitement caused by the whole tenour of the Canon’s conduct towards her, and which had just experienced so singular a termination, Louisa was paie as death and looked as if she were about to faint. The young gentleman hastened to assist her to the bench where he himself had just before been seated: and remaining standing in her pre- sence, he besought her to calm her agitation. There was something so touchingly kind—so deeply sympathetic—so tenderly reassuring in bis voice and manner, that Louisa felt as if she were being addressed by some tried, well-known, and valued friend: and raising her blue eyes, she looked up with all the eloquence of silent gratitude beaming in her countenance. For she felt that Mr. Loftus had done her some signal service by ridding her of the presence of the Canon—although her ideas upon the subject were still confused, vague, and undefined. The young gentleman was about two or three and twenty years of age, and remarkably hand- some. His complexion was a clear rich brown, with the glow of health upon the cheeks. His jet black hair, fine and glossy as that of a woman, was worn long and curled naturally; and his large dark eyes beamed with intelligence, while his lofty forehead appeared the seat of the noblest thoughts. His profile was completely rectilinear and in the purest style of Grecian manly beauty—the nose being perfectly straight, and the upper lip short and curved, like those of the ancient statues of Apollo. In the expression of his countenance frankness and candour were blended with intel- lectuality and the light of genius: indeed, nothing could be more prepossessing than the appearance of Jocelyn Loftus. He was not particularly tall; but his slender figure, upright as a dart, was modelled to the most OMIecoOOK