The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

—— eee eee a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 215 sss — —— stantaneously turning towards the young lady; “that ruffian dared insult you—as he once insulted my sister !” But Isabella could not speak a word: she: was so overwhelmed with confusion and affright. done; for he was not the only one who had been observing Stanhope’s insolent behaviour. As for this individual himself, he sprang to his feet and was about to give vent to bitter imprecations against the gallant one who had stricken him down; but recognising our young hero, he became speechless—was cowed and dismayed: for he had heard from Marchmont the denouement of the plot at Oaklands, and how it had been so completely frustrated and exposed through Christian’s instru- mentality. A policeman quickly made his way through the crowd; and while Christian led Miss Vincent off, the bystanders acquainted the con- stable with Mr. Stanhope’s insolent conduct, and how deservedly it had been chastised. It was evident too that Stanhope had been drinking ; and * the police-officer summarily ejected him from the park,—threatening to take him into custody if he dared offer the slightest resistance. Meanwhile Christian, as already said, had hur- ried Isabella away; and the beautiful girl of six- teen clung to his arm as to that of a protector—or asa sister might to that of a brother. She was still so much under the influence of her agitated feelings as to be for the first few moments totally unable to give utterance to a word, or to express her gratitude to Christian otherwise than by a look; and in this there was a certain tenderness which though quite consistent with virginal modesty and maiden bashfulness, nevertheless seemed to confirm the youth’s hope that he was not altogether indifferent to her. Nor did he im. mediately speak again, when thus leading her away from the crowd that had gathered on the spot where he so chivalrously vindicated her in- sulted innocence. There was a paradise of feeling in the youth’s soul—a pure and holy ecstacy of the heart, which those who have loved well and fondly cannot fail to comprehend, and which was too deep for utterance. Atlength he said, in that low voice which invariably belongs to emotions so profound —so ineffably blissful, ““ Were you separated from your friends, Miss Vincent P—were you looking for any one 2” “Yes, Mr. Ashton,” she answered. mit me to express all the gratitude he is!” she abruptly ejaculated. At the same moment a tall, handsome, elegantly dressed young gentleman came hurrying towards them ; and at the very first glimpse of that coun- tenance of perfect manly beauty, Christian could not help experiencing a sudden pang which was very much like that of jealousy—if-not jealousy, at all events a feeling of annoyance that another should have a right to claim the privilege of escorting the lovely Isabella. “Why, how was it that we missed you?” ex- claimed the handsome individual, gazing with astonishment when he thus perceived Miss Vincent leaning upon the arm of our hero—who was younger than himself, and in every degree as handsome, “ But per- —Ah! here ri crowd was gathering round the spot, and numerous voices ejaculated an approval of what our hero had Ing it warmly. answered Isabella, “which caused such confusion _where we were standing. And, Oh! I have been ' so insulted—and this gentleman,” she continued, rE looking gratefully towards Christian, “conducted himself with so much generosity n “T most sincerely thank you,” said the hand: some personage, taking Christian’s hand and press- “Pardon me if I be somewhat abrupt—but there are others close by who are un- easy on Miss Vincent’s behalf ? Thus speaking, he proffered his arm to Isabella, —by his manner and his unfinished speech show- ing that he was anxious to hurry her away. She shook hands wtih Christian ; and with another look expressed her gratitude,—expressed 1t too with a slight tinge of tenderness, as much asa delicate-minded young lady could possibly display. Her companion bowed courteously : they hurried on in the direction of a carriage, in which a gentle- man and lady were seated, but whose faces Chris- tian could not obtain a glimpse of. Isabella and her companion at once entered this carriage, which immediately dashed away; and our hero saw that it was the same which had been sent a week back to convey Miss Vincent from Mrs. Chubb’s house. He was half inclined to inquire of one of the lacqueys belonging to the other car- riages whose equipage that particular one was; but they were all busy in leaping up to their places, for the throng of vehicles was being set in motion to take up their owners wheresoever they might be found, as the review was now over and the crowds were pouring out of the enclosure. Therefore Christian walked slowly away without ~ putting the question ; and in his heart there was . a strange commingling of pleasurable and disagree- able sensations. “The look of virginal tenderness which Isabella had thrown upon him, produced the former feeling: but on the other hand, he could not think-with any degree of satisfaction, of the companionship in which he had left her—the com- panionship of that young, handsome, elegantly- dressed, and aristocratic-looking personage. JBe- sides, it was but too evident that she had found either wealthy relatives or friends; and though in one sense he rejoiced that her position should be so suddenly improved, yet on the other hand he could not help thinking that this very improve- ment in her circumstances had opened an immense gulf between herself and him. Yet again did hope steal into his soul with a soothing and solac- ing effect,—that youthful hope which in the flight of fancy surmounts all barriers and overleaps all chasms, however high the former and however pro- found the latter. Retracing his way slowly from Hyde Park, Christian wandered through the streets, reflecting on all that had occurred,—until he approached the tavern where he was accustomed to dine since he had lodged at Mrs. Chubb’s, and for which an hour in the afternoon was allowed by his ducal employer. He entered the coffee-room of the tavern—seated himself at the table—and gave his orders to the waiter. The place was unusually crowded; and in the course of a few minutes another gentleman came and took a seat at the same table. He was a foreigner—bearded and moustached—well-dressed—and of good manners. Making Christian a bow with true continental “It was that sudden movement of the crowd,” | politeness, he expressed a hope that he should not i _, COMICLoOo re) S CO)