The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 372: what you’re looking at

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

= 566 Christina was so overcome by her varied feelings, —thankfulness for Indora’s providential escape, astonishment at the miraculous manner in which it had been accomplished, and horror at the thought of so deadly a reptile having been in the house,— that she nearly fainted. The Princess sustained her young friend in her arms, embracing her affec- tionately : Christina exerted a strong effort to re- gain her self-possession ; and a flood of tears gave her effectual relief. Mark was now summoned; and the result of the investigation was made known to him—an an- nouncement which he received with feelings not far different from those which inspired Christina Ashton. “T cannot understand, my lady,” he said, “ how such a reptile could be here: for the veriest child knows that there are none indigenous to this country. It must have escaped from the Zoolo- gical Gardens, or else from some itinerant mena- gerie: but heaven be thanked for its discovery and destruction, ere dread mischief was wrought by its venomous fangs !” *T need not remind you, Mark,” observed In- dota, “how it suits my purpose to retain a strict incognita here; and how desirous I am therefore to avoid attracting any particular notice on the part of the public. It is therefore my pleasure that this occurrence be kept strictly secret; and you will enjoin the English domestics not to speak of it to their acquaintances, nor to make it a sub- | THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. | to be so sought—was on the look-out. She ap- proached the fence where their colloquies were wont to be held; and Madame Angelique flew thither. At first she thought, by the cold, rigid, statue-like air of the darkly beautiful Hindoo, that the deed was already accomplished: in fact, so confident was she that such would be the announce- ment she was on the point of hearing, that she experienced an inward feeling of savage joy. Sa- goonah seemed to penetrate what was passing in her mind: for she said in that voice of monotonous _coldness which she so often was wont to adopt, “ You are exulting without a cause: the Lady In- dora yet lives—and is likely to live long.” “Sagoonah—my dear Sagoonah—these words from your lips!” exclaimed Madame Angelique, in mingled disappointment and dismay. *Yes—those words from my lips,’ responded the ayah, coldly as before. “ Last night the ter- rible project which you yourself suggested, was put in train—and it failed. I tell you that the Lady Indora possesses a charmed life,” continued _Sagoonah, with a sudden emphasis half solemn and half of passionate vehemence: “and heaven itself manifests its power on her behalf. To meditate further mischief against her, would be to ficht against the deities themseives! I will not again dare such an unholy strife! Ask me not for details ——TI will give none!” “ But you must—you must!’ exclaimed Madame Angelique; “for yesterday I visited the ject of gossip amongst the tradesmen with whom | Gardens after you had left—I took care to inform we deal. Mention this likewise to the interpreter | myself that your party had been and was gone— who accompanies the messengers from my royal | I looked in the reptile-house—and, Sagoonah, the father.” | deadly cobta was missing !” Mark bowed: and withdrew,—taking the towel| “And that cobra was taken away by my hand,” and its loathsome contents away with him. We /| rejoined Sagoonah, a terrific brightness suddenly need hardly say that with the exception of Sa- | goonah, every one in the servants’ hall was smitten with horror and astonishment on hearing what Mark had to relate, and on beholding the proofs of | his story. But the wily ayah so well played her > own part, that she seemed to be as much affected as the rest—or even more so. Mark and the groom went forth together to bury the fragments | of the cobta in the garden; while Sagoonah, has- tening up-stairs, glided into the drawing-room— and falling upon her knees at Indora’s feet, took | the hand of her Highness and pressed it to her | lips, as if in congratulation at the escape of a well-beloved mistress. And Indora, who supposed herself to be thus well beloved, caressingly smoothed down the long dark hair of her slave,—at the same time thanking her for what she naturally con- ceived to be a proof of her affectionate devotion. The messengers and the interpreter took their departure from the villa: but it was not until a late hour on this memorable night that the in- mates refired to rest; for alike in the drawing- room and in the servants’ hall there was much to_ converse upon. | On the following day Madame Angelique re- | appeared in that neighbourhood: for under all the circumstances which are known to the reader, she was deeply and painfully anxious to ascertain what _the Lady Indora is thus blest! flaming up in her large black eyes. ‘Think you therefore that the hand which dared grasp the reptile, trembled to deposit if in the couch of her to ensure whose death my own was dared? No! —I did all that your infernal wickedness sug- gested, and that my own fearful courage was enabled to accomplish. But heaven intervened wondrously—miraculously !—and the dead reptile _—dread now no longer—is buried in this garden. IT tell you, woman,” added Sagoonah fiercely, “that those who serve the cause of Heli cannot possibly prevail against the blest of Heaven :—and Begone—tempt me no more! All your arts and wiles—your cajoleries and your instigations—are vain and fruitless. .Never more will I be led by them— never more will I bend to them! Begone, woman —and beware how you seek this place again!” There was a wild eloquence in Sagoonah’s language which corresponded effectually and im- pressivély with her aspect, as she thus spoke. Her eyes burnt with a supernal lustre: they glowed in the magnificence of their brightness—their splen- dour was effulgent, but terrible and overpowering. Her nostrils dilated—her lips wreathed like those of a pythoness when enunciating prophecies with an inspiring frenzy. Her tall form was drawn up to its full height,—the swelling bosom upheaved progress Sagoonah was making in the diabolical, beneath the white draperies that only partially enterprise she had undertaken,—whether it was as yet carried out,—and if not, when it would be. concealed those contours as well rounded as if be- longing to a statue of bronze ;—and altogether the The ayah—more or less suspecting that the in- famous woman would thus seek her, and wanting appearance of that Hindoo woman struck terrof _and dismay into the heart of Madame Angelique. ‘S (E(0) 0)(0)(0) AMIE (E©)