The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 308: what you’re looking at

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

002 “Proceed, my lord—proceed!” cried the old man, who was under an influence which strangely attracted him towards the long lost one. “There was a lady staying beneath this roof,” continued Bertram; “and though unseen myself, T beheld you walking with her.” “Yes, my lord—it was an eastern lady,” an- swered Purvis; “and I regret to add that it was for no honourable motive she was somehow or an- other led to come hither.” “But she experienced no outrage at my bro- ther’s hands ?” said Bertram quickly. The old steward hesitated for a few moments: and then he answered, “I warned her, my lord— yes, I warned her—I considered it to be my duty. She defended herself—and it was " But he stopped short: for he was just upon the point of adding something the bare idea of which struck him as fearful to a degree, considering the person to whom he was thus speaking. “ Finish your sentence—and deal with me frankly,” said Bertram. “I have particular rea- sons for the questions which I am now putting, and for those which I may yet have to put.” “No, my lord—I cannot, I cannot!” murmured the old man. “Purvis, I beseech you—nay, I implore and en- treat—by all the misery I have endured , “ Well, my lord—it was with a certain weapon Ah! for heaven’s sake do tell me—do, for God’s sake justify the wild hope which thrills in my heart! Say the one word which shall make me believe that it was not your hand ts “Purvis, give not thus way to your feelings,” interrupted Lord Clandon; “but for heaven’s sake be calm and collected. I understand you. That eastern lady defended herself with a certain weapon. But how came it in her hand? Tell me, Purvis, I conjure you—tell me everything !” Purvis proceeded to explain,—but with many self-interruptions and impassioned ejaculations, as various thoughts were excited in his mind in rapid sueccession,— how Indora had arrived at Oaklands —how he had escorted her over the mansion and through the grounds—how she had questioned him much in respect to the long-past tragedy— how he had shown her the fatal weapon, which he had preserved—how she had so mysteriously and stealthily possessed herself of it—how ere her departure she had restored it to the place where it was kept—how the Duke of Marchmont had questioned him on the subject—and how they had gone together to the cabinet to ascertain whether it was there, when the wax-light was so suddenly dashed from his Grace’s hand. During this re- cital, Bertram was frequently compelled to en- courage the old man to proceed—to soothe his excited feelings—to check him when he sought to become the questioner—and to induce him to extend his explanations to those details of Indora’s ramble to particular spots which specially related to the tragedy of a bygone year. For upwards of an hour did Lord Clandon and the steward thus remain in conversation in the deep darkness of that chamber, until at length the mysterious visitor was about to take his departure. “Purvis,” he said, you have rendered me a service the extent of which you may some day comprehend. But by everything sacred do I again conjure you to treat this visit of mine asif it had rrr ee ee THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. never taken place! not a word to your fellow-servants! Remember, Purvis,’ continued Bertram in a tone of the deepest solemnity, “for the present I am under the ban of the law—and I need but hint at what would be my fate if through any indiscretion on your part “My lord,” interrupted the old man, sobbing violently, “I would-not do such a thing! No, I could not—even if I did not entertain that wild hope ws “Enough!” ejaculated Bertram; and again the steward’s hand was for an instant pressed in his own. The next moment there was the sound of a door cautiously opening and shutting: all was then silent in the chamber. Sleep presently fell upon the steward’s eyes; and when he awoke in the morning, he was at a loss to conjecture whether the main incidents of the past night were a reality, or whether it were all a wild and fanciful dream. CHAPTER LVII. THE DUKE. Ir was evening—the evening of the day which followed the incidents of the memorable night depicted in the previous chapter; and Madame Angelique was seated as usual in her elegantly furnished apartment, when the Duke of March- mont was announced. She had little expected to see him so soon: but she rose from her seat with the conviction that she might congratulate him on his success with the oriental lady,—when she stopped short on beholding the extraordinary expression of his countenance. It was pale and careworn: there was a restless trouble in the eyes—and it was also evident that he had been drinking. “What in heayen’s name is the matter, my lord ?” she asked; seized with consternation lest she herself should become involved in some dilemma with respect to the machinations which she had now no doubt had resulted in failure. “Perdition take me, and everybody as well as everything else!” said the Duke, flinging himself upon a seat. “Give mea glass of wine. No—a tumbler! Fill it up to the brim—spare not your champagoe !” * But, my lord, do tell me,” said Madame An- gelique, her countenance turning so deadly pale that the rouge sate like plastered patches upon it, —“ do tell me * “The wine, I say!” ejaculated Marchmont fiercely. With trembling hands Madame Angelique filled a tumbler with champagne; and the Duke tossed it off at a draught. “There!” he said, endeavouring to force him- self to laugh with an air of gaiety; “now Iam cheered. It is astonishing what admirable effects are produced by wine—delicious wine !” “ Pray tell me, my lord, what has occurred P”’— and the infamous woman was still quivering with suspense. “All your precious schemes resulted in no- (COLUM (COOOL) Nota syllable to your master ! (E©@)