The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF LONDON LIFE. questionably is in the earl’s handwriting, 1 can find neither the usual cipher nor the seal attached.” “Doubtless the mere result of haste,” observed Célestine, “ and the unfortunate circumstances under which the note was written, We should not expect formalities to be adhered te on such occasions. Pray let no thoughts of me retard compliance with the wish he has expressed.” “ Has the messenger gone?” inquired a get addressing his servant, who waited at the door for “He quitted the house immediately after he gave me the note, your lordship,” was the reply. “Was it one of the earl’s usual attendants who “ No, my lord,” answered the footman ; “he was so closely wrapped up that it was difficult to catch a sight of his face; but I know from his speeeh and figure that he has never been here before.” “Get the carriage ready instantly, Burton,” re- sumed the nobleman, after a brief consideration, “ I will away at once; and let me know when you have brought it to the door.” The footman bowed and retired; and Walsingham then turning towards Celestine, exclaimed : “This is traly a provoking as well as painful inter- ruption to the happiness we were enjoying; and the so as I cannot help entertaining some doubt the truth of the contents of the letter. It is however, a time te hesitate as to the course I take, when one hour will either set at rest my suspicions or confirm them, and enable me to return to you with an assurance that I have done all that was required.” “ Tn one hour, then, under any circumstances, I may depend upon your return?” “It is now nearly eleven,” he observed, referring to the time-piece; “at midnight, or a few minutes after, you will see me again.” The announcement of the vehicle being in readiness hastened his departure, and after a hurried embrace Walsingham entered the carriage, and was driven rapidly off, as Celestine, who had followed him to the threshold, returned more cheerless and contemplative than ever to the apartment where she had sat the - long evening through, ¢rearily watching for his arrival. She had, however, the consolation of now knowing that she was not forgotten, and that the hour to which he had limited his absence would soon pass away, and restore him to her arms. In the same position as _ before, with the curtains falling in full folds behind her, she once more assumed a reclining postare on the couch, and in the pages of the volume sought to obtain fo of time. A few minutes snfliced to con. _ vince her of the futility of the effort, for she found it impossible to fasten her attention on the book. An uneasy listlessness stole over her as she read, and made her thrill at the slightest sound; and the con- sciousness that she was now again alone in the man- sion, with only two female domestics within call, heightened the intensity of the nervous trepidation that crept resistlessly upon her. In vain she strove to conquer the timorous fears that invaded her mind. fhe more she struggled to emancipate herself from their dominion, the more deeply she felt herself en- tangled; and the greater the energy with which she tried to banish her apprehensions, as unfounded, the more intense was the dread that accompanied the reaction. JS sparter of an hour had thus elapsed, when, un- —_—_—_— ee ee HE +e — * 131 able longer to contend with the vague idea of impend- ing danger that completely absorbed every other feel- ing, Celestine determined to summon her maid to bear her company; and, ashamed to avow the real cause, she rested pensively upon her arm before she rang the bell, to consider what frivolous excuse could be framed as a reason for requiring her presence. Whilst thus pondering on the plea that she should put forth, her eyes carelessly wandered towards the spacious mirror that was on the opposite side of the apartment, and there they became riveted as if by some supernatural power. For in this reflection she saw the curtains, that had been drawn closely together over the window behind her, vibrate as if a person had concealed himself on the other side of them, and then, as they slowly parted noiselessly in the centre, she beheld, as in a vision, transmitted through the same medium, a human head rise grimly up between. Breathless, with every fibre of her body wrought, as by electrical action, to the acutest sensibility, Celestine kept her gaze, like one spell-bound, on the image that rose before her. With the remembrance of the legend Walsingham had narrated, a new terror began to dawn upon her distracted mind; but the outline of a figure, that developed itself with the same stealthy and automaton-like movements, soon convinced her it was a real and not an imaginary visitor that she had to dread. The light fell more fully upon the features as the intruder glided from the shadow of the recess, and then did Celestine, watching the reflex of that well- known face, start with a convulsive effort from the couch; but a hand from behind, fastening itself round her wrist, drew her back as with a giant’s grasp, and the scream that would have issued from her lips was stifled by the sudden and stupefying influence that at that instant seemed to paralyse her entire frame. With a choking cry, so faint and feeble that it was scarcely heard even within the walls of the room, she waved her hands wildly before her to shut ont the horrible image, and then a deadly paleness overspread her cheeks, and she sank back inanimate on the couch. The agony of intense terror had proved more than her delicate organisation could support, and, with her brain excited to the very verge of madness, Celestine swooned away. Feebly were her perceptions restored, and then not until a lengthened interval had elapsed. How long she had thus remained she knew not, but by slow degrees her consciousness returned, and she awoke as from a trance. A chilling tremor had taken the place of that feverish flush which she remembered to have felt, and thoughts came flitting back as indistinct and shapeless as when the first ray of morning sunshine disperses the dream-spectres of the night. But around her there was a complete darkness, for which she felt at a loss to account. The couch cen- vinced herthat she was still in the same apartment, but raising herself from her recumbent posture, and pass- ing her hand over the table near her, she found the lamp was not extinguished, but removed. By whose agency this had been effected, whether the household had been alarmed, or if Walsingham had yet returned, were cunjectures that she could not help ferming, and yet she knew not where to gather a reply. One startling and overwhelming certainty alone presented itself. She had been visited by the man whom, of all others, she had sedulously striven to avoid, and bs had entered that apartment; perhaps, even, was still within it. ECORMmMICOOOKS (E©) AA . OO a