The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. business-topic,” exclaimed Sir Douglas Huntingdon, in a tone of entreaty: “or rather, if we must speak of my estates and my property, let it be onlyin this manner—that I am prepared to lay all my fortune at: your feet!” “ You have already offered me Acacia Cottage as.a | gift,” said Venetia, with a blush and a smile; “and now you propose to confer all your possessions upon me. ger——” “Do not mistake me, I implore you,” interrupted Sir Douglas, eagerly. “I intend to base my offer upon terms to which you may at least listen without ” anger «“ And those terms?’ said Venetia, with an air of mingled amazement and incredulity. “ Marriage, adored one!” exelaimed the baronet, falling upon his knees in her presence. “Rise, sir—rise—this is too ridiculous,” said Ve- netia, with that tone and manner of dignified and at the same time good-tempered rebuke which showed that she did not think it worth while to take the matter in a particularly serious light, nor to invest it with any undue importance. ‘ You are evidently a good-natured, well-meaning man—and I cannot find if in my heart to be positively vexed with you. But “But you do not think that I am serious?” ex-. claimed the baronet, rising from his suppliant pos- ture and looking very crest-fallen. “If I did not suppose you to be serious in offering me marriage,” said Miss Trelawney, now speaking with all the dignity which woman knows so well how to assume and which becomes her so loftily,— “JT should spurn you with indignation and order my lacquey to eject you from my presence. Butas Ido believe you to be serious in making me.an honourable proposal, I can only reject it with politeness—at the same time begging you to observe how silly and ri- diculous it is to take such a step after an acquaint- ance of precisely twenty-five minutes :’—and Venetia glanced towards the or-molu clock on the mantel- piece as she uttered these last words. “Miss Trelawney,” said the baronet, to whose cheeks, before so pale, had rushed the crimson glow of mortification and bitter disappointment,— you are not so much a stranger to meas you may imagine. ‘Tis true that I have never spoken to you until this day: but I have seen you—I have admired you-from. a distance—and—and—I love you.” “ But, unfortunately, my dear sir, I. donot love.you in return,” answered Venetia, evidently resolved to treat the matter with a good-tempered raillery.: “and therefore we must consider the topic at an.end. Now, fam not angry with you—I shall not mention this silly preceeding elsewhere, so as to make a laughing- stock of you # “Oh! I thank you for this kind consideration on your part!” exclaimed Sir Douglas Hunting:don, with bitterness of tone: then, instantaneously repenting of the unwarrantable ebullition of anger, he said, “But indeed I ought to thank you sincereky and un- feignedly, Miss Trelawney . “You are reasonable, Sir Douglas, and -will view the affair in its proper light,” interrupted Venetia. “What complexion, then, does it assume? A gentle- man of whom I know nothing, writes to me upon a matter of business—in fact, he announces to me that he has suddenly become my landlord, I catinot re- fuse to grant him the audience which he craves. He TT Such unusual liberality—from an entire stran- | searcely what to say. “ But am J to understand that 47 comes—he throws himself at my feet—and offers marriage. There are but two ways to treat him— either with anger, or with imdulgence. I prefer the latter course, and I adopt it—in the hope that he will take his departure in a friendly manner and come hear meno more. Now, Sir Douglas, have I made myself intelligible?” “You have—too intelligible, Miss Trelawuey,” an- swered the baronet, not knowing how to act and you henceforth debar me the privilege of paying my respects to you occasionally >” ‘“‘ Your visits cannot be agreeable to me after what has just passed,” rejoined Venetia: “and I should also imagine that you yourself will feel no inclination to renew them.” “But is it impossible that I can ever make a favourable impression upon you ?” inquired the baro- heft. “Quite impossible, I can assure you,” returned Venetia, laughing, as she leant against the mantel- piece—for she had risen from the sofa when her visitor threw himself upon his knees, and she had re- mained standing in order to discourage a prolongation of the interview. Sir Douglas Huntingdon hesitated—and his con- fusion therefore became absolutely painful. “You will order your doors to be closed against me ?” he said, with a nervous quivering of the lip. | ‘I should hope that your good taste will render no such extreme measure necessary,” answered Venetia, in a tone of dignified remonstrance. “You are really very kind—very forbearing—very good-tempered,” exclaimed Sir Douglas, now laugh- ing in order to escape from the embarrassment and awkwardness of his position; “and it would be un- pardonable on my side to do,or say aught that may anger you. I shall therefore take my departure.” Thus speaking, the baronet made alow bow and quitted the room. “TI love her to desperation,” he thought within himself, as he returned to his carriage, which was in attendance. ‘‘ But how to possess her either.as wife or mistress—aye, that.is the question)!” The carriage was,about to drive,away, when aloud voice called out in.a,commanding tone for the coach- man.to stop—and the head .of the redoubtable Cap- tain Tash wasimmediately afterwards thrust in at the window. “ How are you, my dear Huntingdon? I saw you coming out of Acacia Cottage—and » “‘There, there—that’s enough !” said the baronet impatiently. ‘Isuppose you want eighteen-pence.or half-a-crown—and here it is.” “By Jove, sir—but I want nothing of the kind!” exclaimed the Captain, affecting a tone and look,of the deepest indignation. ““Well, it’s the first time that I have.eyer known you not to want a trifle of the kind,” said the baronet, laconically: then, as his glance happened to travel across the road, he beheld the -Captain’s man Robin standing bolt upright against a lamp-post, and apparently as motionless,and rigid .as the post.itself. “By heaven! a thought strikes me!” exclaimed Sir Douglas, his countenance brightening up. “ What is it ?’ asked Tash. “Send your man to me-this evening, Captain, at nine o'clock,” was the response, “and I will give him something to do that shall be well paid for. And now good-bye.” Oln DVOIOK (©)