The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

Ee fy 7 26 THE you the secret, what course do you consider it pru- dent to suggest P” “These revelations, my dear Mrs. Bailey,” re- sponded Hugh, “have come upon me with such startling suddenness, that I am unable in a mo- ment to proffer an opinion. I will tell you in a few days what I think ought to be done. Per- haps I may speak privately to my brother—worm out of him the history of his love—and then ad- vise him to absent himself from a place where his presence is dangerous.” said Mrs. Bailey. “The Hon. Mr. Bertram Vivian is civil and polite enough to me—for of course he cannot suspect that LI had anything to do in leading Eliza to jilt hita—and I do not want to be brought into collision with anybody.’ | “Rest assuted, my dear Mrs. Bailey,” rejoined Lord Clandon, “that I will manage the matter with as much tact and delicacy as if it wete you yourself who had the conduct of it.” _ | “J rely upon yout lordship,’ said the foolish woman, who did not #eflect that she had been avowing to the very individual most interested in the Duke’s remainiti@ uhmarried, the schemes and stratagems to Whicli she had been a party in o¥det to bring about that allianee between his Grace and Eliza. Having estorted Mis, Bailey back to the maii- sion, Lord Clandow sauntered forth again into the grounds, to reflect upon all that he had just heatd. Preseiitly hé beheld his wiele approaching along a shady avenue, actompanied by a large favourite bull-mastiff answering to the name of Pluto, His Gracé Was walking slowly, with the air of one in deep pre-océupation. The mystery of the scence which was constantly before his éyes, was bewilder- ing him more and more; and he saw no issue thence by any feasible means: “Ah! my deat uncle,” said Clandon. “ What! walking alone? Where are all the gtiests ?” “The Lomaxes ate getting ready for departure,” responded the Duke. “In fact, I don’t wonder that they should have abridged their visit=—~” ‘Then stopping short, he suddenly stooped down to caress his dog in order to hide his vexation. “What mean you, my dear uncle?” inquired Clandon, as if with an air of perfect surprise. “IT mean, Hugh,’ responded the Duke, sud- denly turning his looks fixedly upon his nephew’s countenance, “that there is something going on which I cannot comprehend. I must speak out: I am glad that accident has thus thrown you and me together at this moment. There is something in my heart that I burn to unbosom to a confidant. You love me, Hugh—you have testified the noblest and most disinterested attachment i wish to God I could say the same of your brother !”’ “What, my lord!” ejaculated Clandon: “has Pertram been wanting in love and respect towards your Grace—the head of the family—our benefac- tor—our uncle i | “ Hugh,” interrupted the Duke of Marchmont, “it is impossible you could have remained blind to all that is going on. Bertram treats the Duchess with downright insult.. At first his conduct was merely a cold reserve, on which the best interpre- tations might be put. But now he has been nearly ten days here; and instead of getting on a more er EE Se re OL Cnt te co EO ee 6S “Tn any case, my lord, do not compromise me,” | MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. a friendly footing, he behaves with ill-concealed aver- sion. The Duchess, all amiability herself, will not — admit that it is so: she cannot see through it. But I can blind myself no longer, Hugh. I have endeavoured in my own mind to make every possi- ble allowance for Bertram—and all in vain. It is the blackest ingratitude on his part ; and I am de- termined not to put up with it.” “But, my dear uncle,” said Lord Clandon, with a conciliatory tone and manner, “pray do not judge hastily—pray do not visit your displeasure upon my brother. You have been pleased to sig- nify that my conduct is worthy of your approval : as a favour therefore for myself, I entreat your Grace to be lenient towards poor Bertram.” “This intercession on your brother’s behalf, Hugh, does you infinite eredit,” rejoined the Duke of Marchmont. “ But such conduct is intolerable ! It is not merely insulting to the Duchess—insult- ing to myself{—but insulting likewise to all the guests. A damp kas beén thrown upon the spirits of a circle which I gathered about me for pur- poses of gaiety.” “Would you, my dear uncle, permit me to offer & suggestion ?” asked Lord Clandon, in a mild and submissive manner. Bt AP “To be sure, Hugh!” responded the Duke. “Speak! I am glad that your own magnanimous conduct enables me to treat you as a confidant. In a word, do you rot think that your brothe¥ is ehafed ab this marriage of mine—and that he is venting his spite upen the Duchess P” “No, unele!” ejaculated Lord Clandon, with the emphasis of conviction: “I am certain that it isnot so. Bertram is too génerous-heatted, too magnanimous to entertain any such mean and paltry feelings. I, who know my brother’s dis- position well, can read the elue to the whole mystery.” * Can you?” exclaimed the Duke, full of delight and suspense. “Then, whatis it? But take care, my dear nephew,” he added more gravely, “ how you suffer your love for you# brother to blind your eyes to the real truth.” “Listen, uncle—and judge for yourself,” re- sponded Lord Clandon. “My brother is a young man naturally diiident—naturally afraid also of having his actions wrongly judged. He was ever like this. His very sensitiveness throws him into extremes: the delicacy of his sentiments sometimes renders his conduct seemingly out- rageous. He doubtless trembles lest the slightest attention paid to his amiable young relative, should be wrongly construed 4 “Well, but those are the very conjectures with which I myself,” interrupted the Duke, with an air of disappointment, “ have sought to account for his conduct: but E fear that they are not the cor- rect ones.” “ Bear with me, uncle,” said Hugh deferentially ; “and grant me your patience. My brother is two years younger than myself; and though he has seen more of the world in the shape of travel, he knows less of it in useful experience. Regard his position !—a young man of a little more than three-and-twenty, suddenly presented to a lady- relative, even younger than himself. He feels that it is not for him, but for her, to define the degree of friendly intimacy and becoming cordiality | on which they are to stand towards each other. (EO) 0)(0)(0) MG <SicoOim