The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 299: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 293 “Perhaps, then,” he continued, as if with the good-humoured familiarity which a host felt him- self justified in using towards his guest, “ your ladyship has visited England with a determination of subduing all hearts, and eventually bestowing the prize on the one that may seem most de- voted ?” “Indeed your lordship is uselessly bewildering yourself with conjectures which are remote enough from the actual fact:’—and though Indora spoke somewhat gravely, yet her manner continued per- fectly courteous. “And now,” she added, “as I am exceedingly fatigued with my day’s rambles, I must beg your Grace to forgive me if I retire to rest.” She rose from her seat; and Marchmont, first flying to ring the bell, next hastened to open the door. As the Princess passed, he proffered his hand: but she either did not really see it—or else affected not to perceive it; and with a courteous inclination of the head, she quitted the room. On reaching her own chamber she was attended upon by two of the female-servants of the establishment ; and she remarked, as if quite in a casual way, **So you have the Duchess here now P” “Yes, my lady,” replied one of the women, at the same time exchanging a rapidly significant look with her fellow-servant. “T hope that her Grace’s indisposition + only slight ?” resumed the Princess. ““ There is little doubt,” was the answer, * that her Grace will be quite well in the morning.” “It is to be sincerely hoped so,” said Indora,— “and the more so by me, inasmuch as [ am as- sured by the Duke it was entirely on my account her Grace undertook a journey which has thus rendered her indisposed.” Again did the two servants exchange quick looks of meaning: but Indora appeared to notice them not. They assisted her throughout her night- toilet ; and when she was prepared for rest, they withdrew. The reader will scarcely require to be informed that the Duchess of Marchmont was not at Oak- lands at all. This portion of the Duke’s stratagem was an afterthought, and an improvement (as he considered it) upon the plan of proceedings ori- ginally laid down by Madame Angelique. He had reasoned to himself that as he was perfectly unac- quainted with Indora, except by sight, it would be expedient for him to have at least an hour’s inter- view with her ere he carried his plot into execution, —so that he might be enabled to form a better estimate of her disposition and character than he could do from Madame Angelique’s description. He was moreover impatient to find himself in the presence of that eastern lady whose superb charms had made such an impression upon him on the two occasions that he had caught a glimpse of her at a distance. Thus he had come down to Oak- lands for the purpose of introducing himself to Indora; and immediately on his arrival he had issued positive instructions to the domestics to the effect that they were to support his tale of the Duchess being likewise beneath that roof. This was the hint that was whispered to Purvis by one of the footmen, as the old steward entered the hall after attending Indora in her evening ramble. And what were the Duke of Marchmont’s feel- ings when he did find himself in the presence of the Princess? If he had admired her from a dis- tance, how infinite became that admiration on beholding her close! The grandeur of her beauty exceeded even what he had expected to find it: the glory of her charms excited all his most fervid passions. It was indeed with difficulty that he could conceal the joy of anticipated triumph when conversing with her in the drawing-room. In all respects she seemed faultless in his eyes,—a being whom he would give half his fortune to possess. Marriage had consigned a charming creature to his arms—the gold of that luxurious patrician had purchased the rarest beauties of every clime, until he had grown sated with pleasure, and like the Persian monarch craved for a new one. In the Princess Indora he beheld everything calculated to ravish, to dazzle, to excite, and to fascinate: he thought there would be a world of frenzied bliss in achieving this conquest even though it were by force. He had devoured her with his eyes even while rendering the expression of his looks most courteously respectful; and when, on her retiring, he was left alone in the drawing. room, he sate feasting his imagination with the pleasure that he conceived to be in store for himself. But let us return to Indora. When the two female-servants had retired—and even while the door was yet closing behind them—that strange glitter appeared in her eyes: and her rich red lips were wreathed with an expression of ineffable scorn. She turned towards one of the boxes she had brought with her—unlocked it—and took thence something, which she thrust under the pillow of the couch. Then she was on the point of enveloping herself in an elegant muslin wrapper, when her ear caught a gentle tap at the door; and as her glances were flung in that direction, she beheld a piece of paper thrust underneath. She hastened to pick it up, and read therein these lines :— *‘ Lady, beware! A foul treachery is intended. The Dachess is not here: the Duke came alone. Burn this, You can guess from whom it comes—end be upon your guard,” Indora comprehended that this was an instance of the generous kindness and the honourable feel- ing of the old steward. She hastened to apply the paper to the wax-light; and when it had caught the flame, she tossed it into the fire-place. Then just as she was again about to put on the wrapper,—evidently with the air of one who knew what was about to happen, and meant to be in all modest decency prepared to meet the emergency, —the door opened, and the Duke hastily en- tered. “Ah!” ejaculated Indora: and springing to the head of the couch, she snatched from beneath the pillow the dagger which she had placed there : then as she raised it in her right hand—her left lifting the night drapery over her bosom—s’ said, in a voice of resolute sternness, “ You k~ this weapon well: it shall drink your heart’s © if you dare approach me !” Language has no power to convey an * the ghastly horror which seized upon the Marchmont, as he eaught sight of that his countenance became livid—he *arte ~ then staggered as if smitten “ Begone!” exclaimed J (C(O) 6)(0)©) S (C(O)