The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

_——— ~- 38 “and why was it she begged I would not come into her room a little while back P” “Her Grace, ma’am,” replied the maid, with a saddened countenance, “ looks as if she were ten years older than she was an hour back. But it was with a strange calmness she sat herself down to write that letter which Lord Clandon has so kindly taken in to the Duke. Heaven send that its contents may move his Grace! It was only be- cause my poor mistress was occupied on that letter, that she could not see you. Oh! ma’am, her Grace may have been weak and imprudent— but it is hard to believe her guilty!” Mrs. Bailey,—being well acquainted with all Kliza’s earlier history, and knowing how deeply she had loved Bertram—hbesides being a woman whose notions of the better side of humanity had been warped, if not actually spoilt by the frivolities of fashionable life,—really did believe in her own heart that Eliza was completely guilty; and she could not help shaking hér head ominously in response to the maid’s expressed doubt on the | subject. The countenance of the maid herself therefore fell suddenly as she beheld that look; and her own previously wavering opinion settled into a conviction unfavourable to the unfortunate Eliza. At this moment Lord Clandon came forth from the apartment, where he had been closeted with the Duke; and his looks showed that his mission had proved unsuccessful. “His Grace read the letter,’ he said, in a low deep voice. “After much trouble I persuaded him that this was at least an act of justice which he owed towards the Duchess. But his opinion is not to be moved—nor his resolve shaken. His commands are that with the least possible delay the Duchess is to leave the house.” The maid, with a sorrowful countenance, as- cended the stairs, followed by Mrs. Bailey; and they entered the boudoir, where Eliza was pacing to and fro in a state of mind which may be more readily imagined than described. , Another of her maids had remained with her; and this one was standing aside, following with mournful looks the form of her mistress as she thus paced to and fro. Eliza did indeed seem as if she had received a most fearful shock: her countenance was pale as death —her eyes were haggard—her look was as care- worn as if she had passed through a dozen years of unceasing, ineffable sorrow. The instant the door opened, her eyes, glistening feverishly with uneasiness and suspense, were flung upon those who entered; and Mrs. Bailey hastening forward, said, “O Eliza, how could you ¥ ‘f M adam,” interrupted the Duchess, all her trepidation settling down in a moment into the most dignified calmness,—“ I see that you believe me guilty: but I am innocent !” “Well, my dear,” answered Mrs. Bailey, “I most sincerely hope you are—but of course you know best.” | “ My letter, Jane ?” said the Duchess, turning proudly and indignantly away from her relative, and addressing herself to the maid who had fol- lowed Mrs. Bailey into the room: “has it been sent to his Grace ?’—and now again there was the feverish glitter of suspense in her eyes as she awaited the response. “The Duke,’ Mrs. Bailey hastened to inter- ST TS TT TL TT THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ject, “positively forbade any one to bring him either letter or message; and he locked himself in a room i | “My letter, Jane?” ejaculated the Duchess, now quivering visibly with impatience—but dis- daining to take any farther notice of Mrs. Bailey, since this lady had shown that she believed in her guilt. a “Please your Grace,” answered Jane, “Lord Clandon kindly took charge, of the letter —his lordship was’ very. much affected—and he was closeted with his Grace for wnearly a quarter of an hour. But, my lady “ Hnough, Jane!” said the Duchess, her marble features suddenly becoming fixed and rigid in the last stage of despair. “T understan you. The Duke believes me not. I, therefore leave his house at once. But before I go, let me call God to witness that if I have been thoughtless—if I have been weak—if I have been impradent—I have not been guilty |” “© Eliza—my dear Eliza!” said Mrs. Bailey, still full of a nervous trepidation; “pray don’t call God’s name in vain !” “Woman!” ejaculated Eliza fiercely, as she turned abruptly round upon her relative; “do you dare stand forward as my accuser ?”’—then, as Mrs. Bailey staggered back, frightened and aghast, the Duchess went on to say, “TI will not accept ahome from you! You cannot lay your hand upon your heart and say that you are sensible of no wrongs towards me. You know what I mean! I could curse you, were it not that I should involve the memory of my deceased parent in the same frightful malediction. If I were guilty but God is my witness that I am not how much of that guilt would be ate tributable to your detestable machinations! Be- gone!—remain not here another moment in my presence !” Mrs. Bailey,—frightened to death lest Eliza should enter into the fullest explanations relative to the past, and thereby seriously compromise her,—hurried from the room, and rushed down stairs in a condition of bewildered terror. “Where is the Duchess?” asked Lord Clandon : but as Mrs. Bailey sped past him, not knowing what she was about, he hurried after her. ‘* Do tell me, my dear madam,” he continued, in a voice full of anxiety and uneasiness; “what has oc- curred P” | | “Don’t ask me, my lord! don’t ask me, I be- seech you!” she ejaculated. ‘To be abused, and reviled, and taunted, after I helped to make her a Duchess—it is perfectly shocking !” “Shocking indeed,’ said Lord Clandon, who was now enabled to comprehend pretty well what had taken place. “But are you going without her ?” he asked, as Mrs. Bailey rushed through the hall to her carriage, which was waiting at the entrance. “Yes, my ‘lord !—pray let me go! I can assure you I have had. quite enough of Oaklands.” “But the Duke’s commands are that you should take the Duchess with you.” “The Duchess will not come—and thank heaven that she won’t!” rejoined Mrs. Bailey, who was all in a flutter of mingled anger and affright; and without even waiting to be handed to the carriage, she scrambled up into it as best she could. Lord Clandon bowed courteously — and the —~se eomanielacol es colin