 Section 25 of Mysteries of London Volume 4. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Gillian Henry. Mysteries of London Volume 4 by George W. M. Reynolds A painful scene. We deemed it advisable to break as little as possible by comment or extraneous explanation the thread of the Prince of Montoni's discourse upon the reform that had been introduced into the Grand Duchy of Castile-Sicale. We therefore refrained from giving any account of the manner in which Charles Hatfield listened and received, or rather, greedily drank in, the narrative of his Royal Highness. To say that the young man heard with enthusiasm were to convey but a feeble idea of his emotions as he hung upon every sentence, every word, that fell from the lips of the Earl's illustrious guest. When, however, we declare that even Perdita's image fell into the background of his mind during the whole time that the Prince was discoursing, our readers may form some notion of the nature of that impression which was made upon him. On retiring to his chamber at about one o'clock in the morning, Charles Hatfield thought not of seeking his couch but, throwing himself into an armchair, he gave way to the agitating, conflicting, turbulent ideas which had been excited in his soul. The modesty of the Prince, he thought, concealed the fact that nearly all the reforms which he detailed were suggested by himself. Oh, what would I give to be enabled to raise myself to eminence in the world? Twenty years of my life? Ah yes, willingly, willingly would I yield up a quarter of my probable existence to gain a name honoured and renowned as that of the Prince of Montoni. And is not rank within my grasp? Can I not, in a moment, by the waving of my hand as it were, place upon my brow the coronet of a Viscount? May I not yet stand before the world as the heir apparent to the heirldom of Ellingham? Yes, and if once I find my way into the supreme legislative assembly, shall I not be enabled to advocate the cause of the people and obtain a glorious renown? It were trifling with my own interests, it were wronging myself to abstain from asserting my just rights. If my father choose to remain a simple commoner and allow his younger brother to wear the honours and hold the estates of a proud heirldom, am I to be bound by his will? No, no. And my father acts not a parent's part towards me in thus keeping me in obscurity. It is clear that my sire's early life renders him desirous to shun all circumstances that may attract attention towards him. It is clear, my god, how dreadful to think of. It is clear, I say, that he feels the impropriety of a highwayman laying claim to a lordly title. Oh, the sins of the father are indeed visited on the child, in my case. But I am innocent. My life has been spotless and pure. My character is untarnished. Wherefore should I suffer for my parents' crimes? It is unjust, most unjust, and even filial duty in its best and holiest sense, cannot compel me to renounce the distinctions to which, by birth, I am the heir. No, no, a young man of my ambition, my talents, my feelings, my burning hopes, must not emulate himself for the sake of a father who acts unjustly towards him. For how stands the case between us? The question is whether a parent should make any and every sacrifice for his child, or whether the child must make all possible sacrifices for his father. In asserting his rights, claiming his title, and thereby enabling me to assume my own, he doubtless would have to make a sacrifice. He must declare who he is, my god, the resuscitated highwayman. But, on the other hand, in consenting to keep his secret, do I not willfully blind myself to my own interests? Wantonly thrust aside those opportunities of gaining distinction and acquiring renown, which are within my reach. Crush with suicidal hand the glorious aspirations which I have formed, and purposely trample on all the hopes that are developing themselves before me. Charles Hatfield rose, paced the room in an agitated manner, then receding himself again plunged into his ominous reflections. I have read that those who yield to the influence of false sentimentalism never rise in the world. He who would attain to the pinnacle of eminence must harden his heart, even as did Napoleon, when he put away from him that charming Josephine, who loved him with such pure and fervid devotion. Yes, family, kith, and kindred must be sacrificed, all sacrificed, by him who follows the dictates of his ambition. And yet, and yet did not Richard Markham rise by his virtues, as much as by his talents and heroism, to that eminence which enabled him to take his place amongst the mightiest princes of Europe. Oh, but he had opportunities which may never occur again. He is the one in the thousand whom fortune takes by the hand. If I remain obscure, unknown, plain Mr. Charles Hatfield, I am but a unit amidst the millions which constitute the mass called the people. But if I suddenly stand forth as a Viscount and the heir of a wealthy heirldom, shall I not at once be placed in a position to carve out a career for myself? Oh, how glorious, how thrilling would it be to have the power of saying to my Perdita, beautiful angel, I am not the obscure young man I appear to be, in me behold Viscount Marston, the heir to the heirldom of Ellingham. Ah Perdita, then would you feel honoured in my love, and I should not be compelled to evince my gratitude to thee for loving me. Charming, adorable Perdita, then image is coupled with the bright dream of ambition that now animates me. For when I shall have distinguished myself in the Senate, how delicious will it be to see thee welcome with pride and admiration my return to thine arms. To behold thy fine eyes fixed upon me, eloquently proclaiming how proud thou art to own the love of a man who is filling the world with his fame. Yes, I must assert my rights, but how? Oh, I will confide all to Perdita, and she possesses a mind so strong and an intellect so powerful that she will assist me with her counsel in this difficulty, and it will be so sweet to receive advice from her lips, so delightful to mark the interest which she will take in my affairs. Again he rose from his seat, for a sudden thought had struck him, accompanied by a severe pang, a pang that went through his heart like a barbed arrow. My mother, my poor mother, he murmured to himself, Oh, what a blow will it be to her if I compel my father, compel her husband, to assert his claims to the Erldom of Ellingham. And yet, was I not for years neglected by her? Did she care for me? Did she even have me to dwell with her during my infancy? No, no, I was abandoned to the women warts, and had I become a thief in the streets, a prowling, houseless vagabond, my mother would have been to blame. Thus was it that this young man, having imbibed from Perdita the art and facility of sophisticated reasoning. Thus was it that he crushed all the naturally generous feelings of his soul and struggled desperately to subdue the promptings of his really good disposition. Love and ambition produced these baneful effects. But his love, was it a pure and honest love inspired by a virtuous being, or was it a frenzy engendered and sustained by a depraved and designing woman endowed with the most glorious beauty? And his ambition, was it that fine spirit of emulation which warms a generous heart and prompts the enlightened mind to seek distinction for the sake of being enabled by means of influence and high position to benefit the human race? Or was it a selfish craving after rank and power in order to enjoy the sweets of applause, become the object of servile flattery, and obtain the honour ever shown in this country to sounding titles and a proud aristocracy? The reader can answer these questions for himself. Having passed nearly two hours in the wild reverie which suggested schemes so menacing in their nature to his own and his parents' happiness, Charles Hatfield retired to rest, and in his dreams he beheld a variety of scenes and images incongruously grouped and confusedly jumbled together. The voluptuous form of Perdita stretched in a witching undress on the sofa and extending her arms to welcome him to her embraces. The martial Prince of Montoni seated on horseback surrounded by a brilliant staff. Thousands and thousands of persons gathered together to witness the passing of a gay cavalcade of which he fancied himself to be the leader as well as the hero of the occasion. And then his father and mother kneeling and weeping at his feet and proffering some prayer to which he refused to exceed. Then he thought that he was roving in a delicious garden where the singing of birds, the hues of the flowers, and the fragrance of aromatic shrubs made everything delightful to the senses and where Perdita was his companion. She appeared to be clad in the loose and scanty drapery which heathen goddesses are represented to wear fastened by a clasp on the left shoulder flowing so as to leave the right bosom entirely bare and confined by a zone to the waist. Airely, airely they tripped along together until they beheld a temple standing at a distance. Then Perdita suddenly assumed the majesty of a queen and conducting her lover to a shrine within the temple made him kneel down while she crowned him with a wreath of flowers while unseen minstrels poured forth a strain of delicious music. Under the influence of this last dream he awoke and the image of Perdita still remained uppermost in his mind. Then as he performed the functions of the toilette he reconsidered all the arguments and plans repeated to himself all the sophisticated reasoning into which he had fallen before he retired to rest and hardening his heart in respect to his parents yes and hardening it too with regard to Lady Francis Ellingham he resolved to sacrifice all and everything to the two idols of his soul Ambition and Perdita. In this frame of mind he descended to the breakfast parlor where the Earl and Countess of Ellingham Francis, Mr. Hatfield and Lady Georgiana were already assembled Charles assumed as gay in appearance as possible for he was resolved to mask his knowledge of all the family secrets as well as his sinister designs until he should have consulted with Perdita but in spite of himself there was a certain constraint and embarrassment in his manner when he spoke to Lady Francis and this artless beautiful young creature surveyed him with astonishment and grief the fact was that the heart of Charles Hatfield smote him for the vile and perfidious part he had enacted towards his cousin and he scarcely dared to look her in the face her parents and his own as well as she herself noticed the peculiarity of his demeanour in this respect and Lady Georgiana was so affected by his apparent coolness towards the Earl's daughter that it was with difficulty she could restrain herself from questioning him then and there on the subject a hasty whisper however from her husband sealed her tongue and gave her the assurance that he would soon ascertain the cause of their son's altered behaviour towards the young lady who was already looked upon as his future wife accordingly when the morning repast was concluded Mr Hatfield beckoned his son to follow him to the library and now Charles was struck with a sudden fear conscience exciting the apprehension that his schemings were discovered and seen through by an outraged indignant father on entering the library Mr Hatfield motioned him to take a seat near him then fixing his eyes upon the young man's countenance he said Charles has any misunderstanding occurred between Lady Francis and yourself no not that I am aware of returned Charles considerably relieved by the question that indicated the nature of the colloquy which it opened wherefore should you entertain such an idea because your manner towards Lady Francis at the breakfast table was cruel constrained and embarrassed said Mr Hatfield she herself noticed the circumstance and I observed that Lord and Lady Ellingham were pained by it likewise as for your mother Charles she was deeply grieved and I was both hurt and annoyed I'm sorry my dear father but but I was not aware of any difference in my demeanour towards her ladyship stammered Charles unskilled as yet in the arts of duplicity and guile my son my dear son do not attempt to deceive me exclaimed Mr Hatfield emphatically Lady Francis in the artlessness of her soul in the confiding candour of her amiable nature yesterday acquainted her mother the Countess of Ellingham with all that had taken place between yourself and her in the morning you made her an offer of your hand in pursuance of the counsel which I gave you and her parents will cheerfully yield an assent to your suit indeed they are expected to see you on the subject yesterday afternoon but it appears that immediately after your interview with Lady Francis you went out and remained absent for some hours how you dispose of your time it is not for me to inquire you are often aged when you are entitled to be your own master but this I implore of you lose no time in seeking a private interview with the Earl and soliciting him to accord you the hand of his daughter to a mere ceremony which a parent and a personage of his standing naturally expect you to perform and I promise you that there is no chance of a refusal my dear father said Charles the natural candour of his nature asserting its empire I was too hasty in proposing to Lady Francis wood to God that I could recall the step I thus rashly took Mr Hartfield surveyed his son in profound astonishment for nearly a minute then breaking forth indignantly he exclaimed what sir? you have dared to trifle with the affections of an amiable and accomplished girl you decline a match which is so desirable in every point of view and on which your mother's heart is set I must decline the honour of this alliance answered the young man speaking with a courage which even surprised himself do you know Charles? demanded his father with an utterance almost suffocated by indescribable emotions do you know that your conduct is that of a villain? and shall it be said that you a young man of whom such lofty expectations have been formed by whom have these expectations been formed? suddenly cried the rebellious son his collar rising as all his wrongs real or imaginary rushed to his mind those wrongs which he believed himself to have received and to be still enduring at the hands of his parents by whom? repeated Mr. Hatfield much pained by the tone, words and manner of the young man by whom should such hopes be experienced saved by your parents? my parents! cried Charles with withering irony wherefore am I not acknowledged as your son? why do you not proclaim yourselves to be my parents? was not the discovery on my part a matter of mere chance? and should I not have been kept forever ignorant of the fact had not an accident revealed it to me? oh my god this is retribution! murmured Mr. Hatfield bowing himself down and covering his face with his hands at that moment the door opened and Lady Georgiana pale as death and scarcely able to support herself on her tottering limbs made her appearance unable to endure the state of suspense in which she had been plunged relative to the altered manner of her son towards Lady Frances at the breakfast table and having a vague presentiment that some unpleasant scene was occurring between him and her husband in the library she had determined to repair the other and relieve herself at once from an uncertainty that was intolerable but upon reaching the door she heard Charles talking loudly and bitterly she instinctively paused and those terrible questions which he addressed to his father smote upon her ear like the voice of the angel of death staggering into the room she mechanically closed the door behind her and then lent against it for support her fine, her handsome countenance denoted the most poignant anguish it was absolutely distorted while a frightful pallor overspread it my mother, my dear mother they exclaimed Charles bounding towards her for his soul was touched by the pitiable appearance which she presented to his view just heaven Charles what have you said to your father she asked in a tone of despair and flinging herself into her son's arms she gave vent to a flood of tears I implore your pardon my dear parents if in a moment of haste and impatience I said ought that can give you offence exclaimed the young man but I was not master of my emotions for you my father had termed me a villain let us not recriminate said Mr Hatfield rising and taking his son by the hand Lady Georgiana having in the meantime sunk into the chair to which Charles conducted her I was wrong to address you thus harshly but your refusal to form an alliance with Lady Francis to whom you only yesterday imparted a confession of attachment oh Charles is it possible that your parents are to experience such bitterness of disappointment as this exclaimed Lady Georgiana turning a look of appeal of earnest appeal upon her son you know not how profound will be my sorrow if you thus enact a perfidious part towards Lady Francis Ellingham would you have me wed when my harp is not fixed demanded Charles warmly I laboured under a delusion I fancied that I loved Lady Francis as one whom I should wish to make my wife but I now find that it was only with the affection of her brother or of a very sincere friend that I in reality regarded her yesterday morning you my dear father entered my chamber at a moment when the confusion of ideas caused by unpleasant dreams was scarcely dissipated you urged me to confess an attachment to Lady Francis to seek her hand and I obeyed you but I acted under an impulse for which I could not account I yielded to some unknown influence which I could not resist and yet it was not love my dear parents no it was not love in making Lady Francis my wife I should only ensure the unhappiness of an excellent a beautiful and accomplished girl you admit all her admirable qualities Charles interrupted his mother and yet you refused to avail yourself of an opportunity to secure so precious a prize to link your fortunes with one who is certain to make the best of wives it is utterly incomprehensible exclaimed Mr. Hatfield whose knowledge of the world and large experience of the human heart convinced him that there was something more at the bottom of his son's conduct than the alleged reasons for so abruptly breaking off a match that he thought must appear in every way so eligible and advantageous to the young man my dear parents this scene is most painful to us all said Charles who god seemed rapidly at the timepiece upon the mantle saw that the hour was approaching for his visit to Perdita his father observing that impatient look cast towards the clock instantly comprehended that his son had some appointment to keep and connecting this discovery with the strangeness of his conduct in respect to Lady Francis it flashed to his mind in a moment that the young man had formed some attachment elsewhere Charles he accordingly said turning abruptly towards his son and looking him full in the face you love another the young man became red as scarlet and stammered out a few unintelligible words which his father soon cut short now we have discovered the truth but surely you have formed no unworthy attachment surely you cannot love one whom you are ashamed to name cried Mr Hatfield speak Charles speak answer your father said Lady Georgiana in an imploring tone as she perceived her son turn away towards the mantle for rebellious thoughts again rose in the mind of the young man and he felt hurt and vexed that his conduct should thus be questioned by parents who never had acknowledged him as their son until the necessity was forced upon them by his accidental discovery of the secret of his birth and who now kept him out of what he conceived to be his just rights moreover was he not 25 years old and was that an age at which he should thus be tutored and treated like a child lastly it was verging fast upon 12 and had he not assured his Perdita that he would not be a minute later midday Charles why do you not answer me asked Mr Hatfield approaching him wherefore do you treat your parents with contempt wherefore did my parents treat me with such unnatural neglect as to bring me up as their nephew demanded the young man turning abruptly almost savagely round upon his father wherefore do they now pass me off to the world in that latter capacity he cried becoming fearfully excited Lady Georgiana uttered a faint scream covered her face with her hands and fell back in her chair sobbing bitterly you speak of unnatural conduct cried Mr Hatfield growing excited in his turn tell me at once Charles do you mean to throw off all allegiance to your parents if so remember that it is in our power to deprive you of the immense fortune which is otherwise destined for you ah menaces ejaculated the young man and darting upon his father a look of mingled regret and anger of united sorrow and indignation a look so strange so ominous Mr Hatfield started with horror he rushed from the room stay stay cried Lady Georgiana springing towards the door but her son heeded her not he obeyed not her voice and the unhappy mother sank upon the floor gasping for utterance and feeling as if her heart would break with the wretched sensations that filled her bosom Mr Hatfield hastened to raise his wife to place her in a chair and to breathe words of consolation in her ears when she was somewhat recovered she clasped her hands convulsively together and looking up appealingly into his face said is this a reality or is it a dream alas it is a terrible reality responded Mr Hatfield in a tone of mingled bitterness and sorrow and what can it all mean asked Lady Georgiana wildly for she was bewildered by the strangeness of her son's conduct amazed by the sudden alteration of his manner from respect to insolent indifference towards his parents heaven alone can solve that question for us at present returned her husband could it be that he has learned anything that he suspects ought of the past no, no that is impossible but ever since the discovery of his real parentage he has been altered sometimes moody and thoughtful at others petulant and hasty now unnaturally gay and excited then deeply depressed and melancholy but never unruly and overbearing disobedient and rebellious as he has shown himself this forenoon it is easy to perceive I fear that he has troubled by the mystery which induced us to conceal his position with regard to us said Lady Georgiana and likewise yes likewise she added hesitatingly the circumstance that he still passes as our nephew weighs upon his mind oh this is a terrible retribution for my sins an awful punishment for the foul misdeeds of my earlier years exclaimed Mr. Hatfield wringing his hands bitterly my dear husband said Lady Georgiana whose turn it now was to console give not way thus to your sorrow let us hope that he will repent of this strange unruliness of conduct alas I have sad forebodings of evil cried the unhappy man I fear that he has formed some unworthy connection Georgiana but let us dissemble our sorrow let us not afflict the earl and the amiable ester by giving them any account of the occurrences of this day and yet what can we say respecting the union that was contemplated between their amiable daughter and our son demanded Lady Georgiana in an anxious tone we will by some means find an excuse for the embarrassment and coldness of manner which Charles exhibited at the breakfast table returned Mr. Hatfield and I will seek the earliest opportunity to reason with him fully and calmly upon the subject if he should have formed an attachment elsewhere that is scourcely probable when we come to look calmly at the matter since he yesterday morning declared his affection to Francis alas to the mystery which pains and alarms me said Lady Georgiana a mystery which I will penetrate my dear wife exclaimed Mr. Hatfield in a resolute almost stern tone of voice but for the present it is useless to hazard a conjecture End of section 25 section 26 of mysteries of London volume 4 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Gillian Henry mysteries of London volume 4 by George W. M. Reynolds Charles Hatfield and Mrs. Fitz Harding it was a little after 12 o'clock when Charles Hatfield reached the house in Suffolk Street is Mrs. Fitz Harding at home he inquired of the female servant who answered his summons at the door have the kindness to walk up into the drawing room sir was the response and with a beating heart the young man followed the domestic into the apartment where he expected again to behold his beauty as Perdita but to his disappointment a disappointment which he could not conceal he found himself in the presence of her mother the seated sir she said coldly and formally indicating a chair into which Charles Hatfield fell as if in obedience to the command of a witch I have many matters where on to converse with you and to speak candidly scarcely know how to commence one subject personally regards you another intimately relates to my own interests but I will begin with that which so nearly concerns yourself I am all attention madam said Charles endeavouring to assume as respectful a demeanour as possible but in reality glancing with much impatience towards the door as if by his eager looks inviting the entrance of Perdita my daughter will not interrupt us Mr. Hatfield exclaimed Mrs. Fitz Harding with an affectation of malice which seemed ominous and foreboding to the young man indeed whether you will ever see her again depends upon the result of our present interview my god madam cried Charles in an imploring tone have I offended your beautiful daughter or yourself I am not precisely offended Mr. Hatfield said the old women assuming a more conciliatory manner but certain explanations are necessary between us and indeed it depends entirely on yourself whether you ever behold Perdita again then I shall behold her again madam returned Charles emphatically and now I can really listen to you with attention and perhaps with patience added Mrs. Fitz Harding her rigid features at length relaxing into a faint smile but I will not tax that patience longer than I can help firstly then we are to speak of the matters which concern yourself and now will you not be surprised when I assure you that I am acquainted with many strange and marvellous secrets connected with your family ah ejaculated Charles starting but perhaps I even know more than you yourself are acquainted with said Mrs. Fitz Harding no madam no that is impossible he cried emphatically do any of those secrets give you pain to contemplate she asked fixing her eyes searchingly upon him pardon me for thus questioning you and why madam do you so question me he demanded almost angrily because I am as yet ignorant to what extent your knowledge may go in certain respects she replied then believe me madam believe me cried Charles Hatfield bitterly when I assure you that I know much more than you can possibly have an idea of is the name of Rainford familiar to you madam asked the old woman steadily watching the effect of her question madam exclaimed Charles starting from his seat and approaching Mrs. Fitz Harding in a threatening manner would you taunt me with the infamy of my birth for I see that it is no secret to you but imagine not if such indeed be your idea that I am unworthy the love of your daughter Predita you were about to marry her to an old nobleman what if a young nobleman were to demand her hand a young nobleman ejaculated Mrs. Fitz Harding now surprised in her turn for it must be remembered that all she knew concerning the present subject was gleaned from the musings of the old gypsy and those musings had led her to believe that Charles was the nephew of Mr. Hatfield alias Thomas Rainford yes madam a young nobleman he repeated carried away by the excitement of feelings under which he laboured for he fancied that the old lady had intended to reproach him him the son of the resuscitated highwayman was having dared to love her daughter and now perhaps it is your turn to be surprised for as surely as you are seated there I am not the plain and humble and obscure Charles Hatfield but the Lord Viscount Marston heir to the earldom of Ellingham Mrs. Fitz Harding restrained her surprise with the utmost presence of mind exerting indeed an extraordinary power of self-control and surveying him with an unblushing effrontery she said well my lord your lordship is at length led to confess who you really are my lord your lordship oh how sweetly how sweetly sounded those words on the ears of Charles Hatfield he forgot that he was the son of the resuscitated highwayman he remembered not that his sire had passed through the ordeal of a scaffold he heard only that he was saluted with a title of nobility and already did it seem as if half his ambition were gratified madam he said at length recovering his self-possession and subduing as much as possible the wildness of that joy which had seized upon him then it appears you were acquainted with my right to a title of nobility I was she answered with an air of the most perfect truthfulness and believing you to be ignorant of that fact I was anxious to make the revelation to your lordship you are consequently acquainted with everything that regards me continued Charles not perceiving in the still elated condition of his mind that the question was foolish because it embraced a vague and undefined generality everything my lord returned mrs. Fitzharding repeating the titular appellation because in her latent truthness she saw full well the pleasure that its swelling sound afforded to the young man this is most strange most singular cried Charles musing audibly for I came hither with the intention of revealing all everything to your Perdita through whom you would have learned the entire particulars in the course of this day and behold I am anticipated for you already are as well acquainted with those most mysterious circumstances as I myself but may I ask madam he exclaimed turning abruptly towards mrs. Fitzharding may I ask how you came to know that mr. Hatfield is my father and that he is the rightful Earl of Ellingham legitimately born mrs. Fitzharding had hitherto known nothing at all of those circumstances but without manifesting the least surprise she said pray be seated my lord compose yourself give not way to unnecessary excitement and I will at once proceed to explain all my conduct to your lordship Charles Hatfield threw himself into an armchair and showed a disposition to listen with attention has your lordship ever heard of a gypsy named Miranda inquired mrs. Fitzharding yes I lately read the entire history of that Octavia Manors who became Countess of Ellingham and who was my father's mother the gypsy of whom you speak was her faithful friend but she must now be very old even if she be in existence she is in existence or at least was a short time back said mrs. Fitzharding from her lips did I receive the entire history of your family but she could not have known that the late Earl of Ellingham married the injured Octavia Manors cried Charles she could not have been aware of my father's real rank and position yes she knew all she returned the wily woman uttering a deliberate falsehood how and by what means it matters not neither indeed did she inform me when the whole tale was revealed to me I thought that you must be in ignorance of your just rights and having by accident heard a good account of your lordship's generous heart and amiable qualities from whom? demanded Charles I must not gratify your curiosity in these minute details exclaimed mrs. Fitzharding suffice it that I adhere to the important points of our present topic proceed madam I will not again interrupt you unnecessarily said the young man well then my lord I fancied that it was a flagrant shame and an apparent cruelty thus to retain you in ignorance as I supposed your true standing in the world and a sense of justice determined me although a total stranger to you to acquaint your lordship with those facts which it however appeared were already well known to you to speak candidly my dear madam said Charles I was in complete ignorance of all those circumstances until eight or ten days ago when they were revealed to me by the strangest accident in the world may I, without appearing indiscreet inquire the nature of the accident that thus put your lordship in possession of such important such vitally important facts assuredly my dear madam returned Charles Hatfield you yourself have behaved to me with so much kindness and candour in this respect that I owe you my entire confidence a mere chance through in my way certain papers which fully prove that Octavia Manners was the wife of the late Earl of Ellingham when their child was born and that my own father who now bears the name of Hatfield but who was so long and so unhappily known by that of Rainford was the child to whom allusion is made and those papers have you them in your possession asked Mrs Fitz Harding I have carefully concealed in a private compartment of my writing desk a small chamber at Lord Ellingham's mansion but has your lordship no hesitation in proclaiming your rights and titles or rather in acquiring them by forcing your father to proclaim his own demanded the old woman again fixing her eyes steadfastly upon his countenance ah there madam you touch the wound in my heart exclaimed Charles the sudden workings of his countenance displaying the anguish which the thought I am loath to take the grand the important the irrevocable step on the one hand and I cannot bear to surrender up all my privileges on the other moreover my parents have not acted towards me in a way to render necessary every sacrifice on my part and even this morning this very morning my father added a new injury to the list of those already committed against me a new wrong in me under particular circumstances with harshness even brutality certainly your lordship cannot permit a false sense of filial duty to mar all the golden prospects which open before you exclaimed the vile woman who was thus encouraging evil thoughts in the young man's mind consider your youth your handsome appearance your great talents the brilliant hopes which develop themselves in the horizon of the future oh I have thought of all this I have weighed everything for and against the course which I long to adopt but which the interests of my parents oppose Charles paused dashed his hand against his heated brow and rising paced the room in an agitated manner my lord this excitement is useless said Mrs. Fitzharding if you will deem to consider me a friend I do I do he cried approaching her and pressing her shriveled hand with fervent but oh with how mistaken gratitude have you not proved yourself my friend did you not though a stranger contemplate the generous act of revealing to me secrets which you considered as necessary to be known to me and have you not even now given me advice which is consistent with my interests your lordship will thus regard me as a friend permit me to suggest that you do not on the one hand abandon your determination to assert your rights nor on the other adopt any course that has not been well deliberated upon consider said Mrs. Fitzharding your lordship will have to steal your heart against a father's prayers a mother's tears you will have to contend against the entreaties of your uncle the Earl and of his handsome Jewish wife I and the beseechings of their daughter too for I understand that your lordship has a beautiful cousin oh how many hearts may I not have to break in piling up the fabric of my ambition exclaimed Charles Hatfield his heart once more smiting him severely or rather with an anguish that was intolerable yes those are the considerations which lie before your lordship resumed Mrs. Fitzharding but you must also reflect my lord upon the immense interests you have at stake is it better to remain simple Charles Hatfield all your life or you need not finish the question madam said the young man suddenly interrupting the infamous old harridan and now speaking in a cold tone of desperate resolution to persevere my destiny is fixed and even if hearts break in the struggle I will not shrink from the contest that is to give me my just rights but let us talk no more of this for the present may I be permitted to inquire after your charming daughter you have now my lord turn the conversation on the second subject which required discussion between us interrupted Mrs. Fitzharding Perdita has confessed to me all that has taken place between herself and your lordship and you are doubtless offended exclaimed Charles Hatfield observing that the old ladies countenance had again become very serious no my lord I am not precisely angry she returned but I trembled to approach a topic which involves so many difficulties ah madam with your strong mind all difficulties are surmountable said Charles and you have only to stipulate in order that I shall ascent to everything that you may propose in the first place resumed the wily woman you are aware of this strange fanciful and I must say unfortunate notions which my daughter has imbibed relative to marriage and your lordship must be aware that supposing your mutual passion to be allowed to take its course unrestrained the world will regard her only as your lordship's mistress madam I would cheerfully conduct her to the altar whether she will not go added the old women emphatically no my lord it is useless to reason with that strong headed obstinate girl on the subject admitting then that I her mother placing her happiness above conventional opinions entertaining implicit faith in your honor and integrity admitting I say that I consent to the union of hearts proposed in this case waving the ceremony of the union of hands can you my lord undertake to ensure my daughter against the contingencies of poverty situated as I now am the means at my disposal are limited indeed said Charles Hatfield at the moment my rights are proclaimed and recognized then at the same instant the family estates at present held by the Earl of Ellingham will pass into the hands of your father and you still remain totally dependent upon him until his death said mrs. Fitzharding embracing at a glance the whole range of contingencies true said Charles suddenly becoming much embarrassed and seeing difficulties most unexpectedly start up but resumed mrs. Fitzharding after a few minutes pause and laying strong emphasis upon the monosyllable but my lord even should you immediately quarrel with your father by compelling him to rest the titles and estates from the hands of his younger brother who now holds them there are ways and means money those estates becoming inalienably yours in the perspective yes I understand there is that alternative exclaimed Charles but my father would not discard me altogether he would not deprive me of the means of support during his lifetime you know not my lord what may be the results of the family convulsion the domestic revolution which your contemplated proceedings will bring about pardon me my dear vicant if I thus dwell upon matters so purely worldly but remember that I myself am now placed in a cruel position by the total wreck of the brilliant hopes which my claims in chancery so recently held out and unless I succeed in raising a few thousand pounds within a week I shall positively be menaced with imprisonment in a debtor's jail merciful heaven cried Charles Hatfield how can I possibly assist you you will not think me mercenary my lord oh no no my dear madam he exclaimed impatiently tell me if there be a means of raising the amount you require and my readiness to adopt those means must be received by you as a proof of my anxiety to render myself worthy of Perdita's love and your esteem generous nobleman cried Mrs. Fitz Harding pretending to be affected by the scene my daughter will indeed be happy in the possession of your heart listen my lord she continued and our interview may soon be brought to a close for I know that you are as anxious to see a certain person as she is dying to behold you your lordship Ernau alluded to particular papers which prove the legitimate birth, rights and identity of your father by means of those papers and on your lordship signing a document I can undertake to procure as large a sum of money as may be required either by my necessities or for your own present once this evening my dear madam I will place the papers in your hands said Charles who was anxious to terminate this interview as speedily as possible for his impatience to behold Perdita began to exceed his powers of endurance at eight o'clock this evening I shall expect your lordship observed Mrs. Fitz Harding and with these words she quitted the apartment Charles Hatfield approached the mirror arranged his hair in the most becoming manner and had just snatched a last satisfactory glance at the reflection of some countenance when the door opened and Perdita entered the room End of Section 26 Section 27 of Mysteries of London Volume 4 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Gillian Henry Mysteries of London by George W. M. Reynolds Infatuation Perdita was dressed in a more modest and to speak truly in a more delicate manner than on either of the former occasions when Charles had seen her a plain mourning gown made with a high corsage set off her fine figure without affording even a glimpse of the charms the full proportions of which its shape developed Her hair was arranged in plain bands and there was altogether an appearance of so much innocence candour and maiden reserve in her demeanour that it seemed to Charles as if he now beheld in her some new phases of her wondrous beauty Hastening forward to meet her he caught her in his arms and covered her lips her cheeks and her brow with kisses for whether it were imagination or reality we know not but she appeared to be far more lovely than ever in his eyes Tearest, dearest Perdita he exclaimed forgetting at that moment all and everything in the world save the object of his adoration Charles, my lord how am I to call you henceforth she murmured in that soft musical tone which flowed like the harmony of the spheres in unto the very soul Am I not Charles to you dear girl he demanded looking at her tenderly and half reproachfully then conducting her to a seat and placing himself near her he added I have had a long interview with your mother Perdita and from all that I could gather she has no opposition to offer to our love I know it responded the girl casting down her eyes with a modesty so admirably assumed that it would have deceived the most experienced individual and are you well satisfied that she has thus proved favourable to our hopes will you always seem to doubt my affection demanded the young man in an impassioned tone will you ever appear to believe that I am so volatile so fickle and constant as to regret today a step that I took yesterday pardon me Charles pardon me said Perdita looking up into his face with an expression of the most charming naivety but my mother heard a rumour and yet it might be unfounded speak speak Perdita cried the young man impatiently a rumour to the effect you were looked upon as the future husband of Lady Frances Ellingham I did Perdita in a tremulous tone as if scarcely daring to give utterance to the jealous suspicion that the words implied Charles Hatfield became suddenly red as scarlet and Perdita burst into tears oh then the rumour is true and you are deceiving me my lord she exclaimed affecting a passionate outburst of grief but in a few moments she seemed to exercise an abrupt and powerful control over her feelings and rising from her seat drew herself up into a demeanour of desperate calmness saying I will show you that my affection is of no selfish nature if you love this young lady who must be your cousin from all I have heard and know through my mother if you prefer the beauty as Frances for beautiful I am aware she is oh then I release you from your vows to me I restore your plight and I the obscure and neglected Perdita will pray in secret for your welfare yes and for the welfare of her who will have robbed me of your affections no Perdita no cried Charles profoundly touched by this well storied piece of apparently generous self-denial I do not love my cousin Frances and it was only this very morning that I disputed with my parents because I refused to form an alliance on which their hearts are set Perdita my beloved Perdita I thank thee oh heaven alone knows how sincerely I thank thee for this manifestation of generosity a generosity that if possible has riveted my affections more indissolubly on thee and you will pardon me Charles if in a moment of jealousy murmured the designing young woman hanging down her head in a charming kind of confusion and bashfulness pardon thee repeated her dupe catching her in his arms and straining her passionately to his breast what have I to pardon must I pardon thee for loving me so well my Perdita for only those who love well can know what jealousy is and did I think that I had cause should I not be jealous of thee sweet Perdita oh yes and my jealousy would be very fierce and terrible in its consequences but on neither side shall there be cause for jealousy at least not on mine Charles returned the young woman gently extricating herself from his arms and resuming her seat upon the sofa and now my lord she added playfully when do you intend to take some charming suburban villa fit it up in a chaste elegant and beautiful style and bear thither your bride for your bride am I prepared to become on the conditions which have already been established without a days without an hours unnecessary delay my beloved Perdita answered Charles his cheeks flushing and his eyes sparkling with the hopes and voluptuous thoughts inspired by the question thus put to him and throwing his arms around her he drew the bewitching siren towards him Charles Charles she murmured as he glued his lips to her warm glowing cheek you are adorably handsome and I love you as women never loved before but I implore you to release me now for my mother might return to the room and and oh Charles you clasped me too violently and she succeeded in disengaging herself from his arms having maddened him as it were by the contact of her fine voluptuous form and the caresses she had allowed him to lavish upon her Perdita you are more reserved with me than you were yesterday said Charles half reproachfully or rather say that yesterday I was so hurried away by the rapturous thoughts the delightful emotions the illisian feelings which were excited within me by the certainty of possessing your love murmured the young women that I had no control over myself and now that you are assured of my love you have grown comparatively cold and reserved said Charles with the least degree of humour should you think the better of me if I were without the least particle of madden reserve she asked in a reproachful tone listen my beloved Charles and look not angrily on your Perdita oh not for worlds he exclaimed pressing her hand to his lips and feeling in the renewed infatuation of his soul that he was prompt to do her bidding and yield to her will in all things now you are kind and good and I love you dear Charles said Perdita in a tone of captivating artlessness although we shall have no bridal ceremony as performed at a church she resumed yet must our wedding day if I may so call it be duly fixed and celebrated when therefore you have provided for me and my mother such a home as you would wish me and my parent to possess then shall you bear me thither my dearest Charles as your bride and I will be unto thee as a wife in all respects she added bending her beauty's head down upon his bosom and concealing her blushing countenance there be it as you say my sweet Perdita he exclaimed and in all things will I do your bidding for I love and adore you you are an angel of beauty your manners are irresistibly winning your voice has the charm of the sweetest melody and your looks would kindle love in the breast and anchorite flatterer she cried raising her head and tapping him gently upon the face will you always think thus well of me yes always always he exclaimed so completely infatuated was he with this iron and now tell me my charmer in which part of London should you wish me to fix upon a beautiful villa for your reception the more secluded the spot the better said Perdita I do not wish to form the acquaintance of prying and curious neighbours nor shall I court the presence of visitors when you are with me I shall have no thought but for you when you are absent to think of you will be sufficient occupation I have heard that in the neighbourhood of Holloway there are some delightful villas newly built Holloway it is there in that neighbourhood that Markham Place the mansion where the Prince of Montoni is staying is situated and you are acquainted with that Prince said Perdita yes for in this morning's newspaper I read amongst the fashionable intelligence that his Royal Highness had yesterday partaken off a banquet at the mansion of the Earl of Ellingham in Paul Mall oh he is a great and illustrious Prince Perdita cried Charles his cheeks suddenly glowing with animation but he is not so handsome as you Charles said Perdita half inquiringly half playfully he is very handsome dearest was the reply but his heroic deeds his noble disposition his boundless philanthropy and his staunch support of the rights of man constitute attractions which were he ugly as Satan would render him adorable as an angel and have you none of those qualities my Charles demanded Perdita are you not gloriously handsome have you not a proud title which you can claim when you will I and which you will claim shortly and will you not someday be a peer of the realm and able to electrify the senate with your eloquence for that you would be eloquent Charles I am convinced and oh what pleasure what unfeigned heartfelt pleasure would it give your devoted Perdita to occupy even the humblest most secluded nook in the place where you were delivering yourself of the burning thoughts and splendid ideas oh Perdita do you too hope that I shall yet create for myself a great and a glorious reputation demanded the young man surveying his beauteous companion with joy and surprise yes Charles for do I not love thee she asked in her dulcet silvery tone now oh now can I understand how the image of the princess Isabella might cheer and hearten on the once obscure Richard Markham to the accomplishment of those great deeds which have placed him on so proud and eminence now, continued the enthusiastic infatuated Charles now can I comprehend how gallant knights in the days of chivalry would dare every peril encounter every danger at the behest or command of their lady loves and you my Perdita you shall be as a princess Isabella you shall be my lady love and animated by thy smiles will I yet carve out for myself a glorious career in the world I long to see thee in possession of thy titles Charles to behold thee too occupying thy place in the house of peers said Perdita but Hark the clock strikes too and now I am compelled to accompany my mother into the city to her attorneys asked Charles a sudden fear seizing upon him yes to her solicitors office responded Perdita then after suffering him to manifest a sentiment of peak and annoyance for a few moments she threw her arms around his neck exclaiming and so you are very jealous sir are you and you thought perhaps that I was about to call upon this lawyer to him my readiness to accept the hand of the old nobleman who is my mother's relentless opponent in the suit but I can assure you that the object of my visit in that quarter is one which you will know that highly approve it is to inform the legal gentleman with my own lips that I utterly and totally decline the honour of the proposed union charming dearest Perdita ejaculated Charles straining her in rapture to his breast in as much she added with playful artlessness or rather with an affectation of that delightful naivety in as much as the solicitor will not believe that I can possibly resist so splendid an offer and he is determined to hear the truth from me and from me only and were he to ever persuade you Perdita to impress you with the necessity of yielding in this instance began Charles still labouring under the vague apprehension with which the artful creature sought to inspire him in order to attach him the more completely to her have you so much to fear on the part of an old nobleman whom I have never seen as I have on the part of that beautiful Lady Francis Charles beneath the same roof with you inquired Perdita in the most melting tones of her flute like voice pardon me pardon me dearest girl cried Charles embracing her fondly I have no more to pardon a new at present than you had to forgive in me are now murmured the guileful woman placing her warm cheek against his own and allowing their hair to mingle for a few moments she remained with him in this position a position that enchanted thrilled and intoxicated him then suddenly withdrawing herself from his arms she said actually but impressively it now remains with you Charles when our wedding day is to be celebrated ah if you are only as impatient as I he exclaimed they parted the young man hastening as was his want after these visits to the park to feast his imagination with a delicious reverie the whole and sole subject of which should be Perdita a few minutes after he had taken his departure Mrs Fitz Harding sought her daughter in the drawing room and the ensuing dialogue took place everything tends to forward our designs with respect to this young man and old woman sitting herself in a chair opposite to her daughter who was reclining upon the sofa and yet I cannot now altogether comprehend your policy mother returned Perdita in which particular point my child demanded the vile parent respecting the nature of the connection which is to subsist between myself and Charles said Perdita it was all very well for me to calculate upon being his mistress before we were aware that he is in reality a vile count and must be an Earl but since you succeeded so nicely in extracting those revelations from him this morning why should we not secure so glorious a prize by a means more durable and powerful than mere sophistry and the love which he bears me consider mother how instantaneously he took a fancy to me and believe me when I assure you that coolness will follow as rapidly after full satiety on his part silly girl there art thy self in love with him cried mrs. Fitzharding in a tone of vexation yes more than half I acknowledge it returned Perdita coolly and yet but a few days ago you assured me that you could not yourself to one individual with any hope of being faithful to him that love was a passion which would never obtain over you that influence which it so often exercised over the week the simple minded and the infatuated it is perfectly true mother that I said all which your memory has so faithfully treasured up and your lips so accurately repeated said Perdita still speaking without excitement but then my dear mother she added almost satirically no almost jeeringly as if diverting herself with her parents evident vexation then you know I had not seen Charles Hatfield and I told you not to be too confident on that point to which we are alluding cried mrs. Fitzharding my dear Perdita renounce all ideas of marriage with this young man indeed you have compromised yourself too deeply in your denunciations of the marriage tie to be able to recall your sentiments on that head not at all said Perdita authoritatively in the same way that I induced Charles to exceed to my proposals and even fall into my views so can I in a very short space and by means of other sophistry convince him that I had merely been playing a part to test the value of his affection no no Perdita you must not attempt such a perilous proceeding said mrs. Fitzharding evidently listening with great uneasiness to the words that fell from her daughter's lips I dare and will attempt all I choose or fancy with that young man a headstrong Perdita in an imperious tone will you not follow my counsel demanded mrs. Fitzharding have I not fulfilled all my promises to you did I not declare that in London you should find luxury plenty and ease did I not pledge myself that the young man should sue at your feet and implore your love and could you have brought about all these results for yourself I do not pretend that I could mother returned Perdita but am I to be your tool your instrument an automaton in your hands am I not to have an opinion in our counsels or am I to pay blind obedience to you even though I have reasons for questioning the prudence of your proceedings and do you now question the prudence of my proceedings demanded mrs. Fitzharding growing every moment more and more irritable yes I do answered Perdita firmly and resolutely at the same time fixing her brilliant eyes rebelliously upon her mother I admit that if we had only ensnared in our toils a simple commoner a plain Charles Hatfield with limited resources within his reach it would have been advisable to form no lasting connection with him but now now that we are assured beyond all possibility of doubt that he is himself a nobleman and the heir to enormous wealth it would be madness it would be folly not to bind him to us by irrefragable chains why here is a position to be obtained and ensured at once a position which will render us rich in the remainder of our days and thank you mother but I have not a little feeling of ambition in my soul would it not be a proud thing for you to be enabled to call the Viscountess Marston and in due time the Countess of Ellingham your daughter all these considerations never flashed to my mind until immediately after Charles had quitted the room or I should have assuredly sensed the undoing of all that stupid work which by your persuasion and so well tutored by you I achieved in respect to the conditions where on our connection was to be based what she cried her eyes absolutely flashing fire have a coronet within my reach and refuse it have a wealthy noble or one who will be enormously wealthy with my feet and not wed him mother she cried actually exciting herself into a passion you must think me to be a fool an idiot a mad woman I shall think you to be a fool an idiot and a mad woman if you persist in thwarting my plans or proceeding contrary to my advice said Mrs. Fitzherding her tanned weather-beaten countenance becoming absolutely livid with rage you have some sinister purpose to serve mother cried Perdita a sudden idea striking her else never would you oppose yourself so completely to the dictates of common sense what were your word to me when I spoke to you and spoke as rashly about the inaccessibility of my soul to the passion of love you advised me not to count only on the chance of making a good match you declared it to be far more probable that I might ensnare some young gentleman of birth family and fortune or some old voluptuary of immense wealth and you added that there was more to be gained as the mistress of one of those than as a wife in fine your advice was that I should remain unmarried and independent I had ruined one lover I might take another yes and that council was the wisest I could proffer you said her mother actually speaking in a savage tone and looking as if she could have let Tigress like upon her daughter and torn her with her nails as if they were claws oh the advice was good enough under certain circumstances exclaimed Perdita it was good in so far as it related to the probability of my securing a succession of lovers each with only a comparatively small fortune and each individual therefore to be soon set aside but now that at the very outset chance has thrown in my way a young noble who must sooner or later inherit a vast fortune which no extravagance can completely dissipate a fortune indeed which will minister to all extravagances and yet remain unimpaired should I not be the various fool that ever tossed gold into a river or hurled diamonds into an abyss where I not to secure the brilliant advantage thus placed within my reach daughter exclaimed the old women with difficulty preventing a complete outburst of her fury I tell you that this may not be secure Charles Hatfield or rather Viscount Marston as your paramour I will undertake to raise as much money as you can persuade him to lavish upon you and then, then my child she added adopting a tone of fawning conciliation you can choose a new lover and make inroads into another's fortune I am determined to pursue and follow out the plan which my own convictions indicate as the most rational the most sensible the most advisable exclaimed Perdita and therefore the present dispute is useless and absurd dispute repeated Mrs Fitz Harding her countenance again becoming absolutely livid and her whole form trembling with rage I do not choose to dispute with you the insolent girl that you are now listen to me Perdita and know once and for all that I will be obeyed in this as in all things or I will abandon you to your own resources I will hurl you back into rags want and poverty not while I possess this beauty of which a queen might be proud said Perdita in a quiet manner as she glanced with self complacency at her own handsome countenance as it was reflected in a mirror opposite oh think not that beauty is the only element of fortune cried the old woman surveying her daughter with almost an expression of fiend like hate for if you dare to thwart me Perdita I will become your bitterest and most malignant enemy though you are my own child I will pursue thee with my vengeance wherever you may be I will spoil all your machinations and ruin all your schemes nay more I will compel your very lovers to thrust you ignominiously forth from them for I will boldly proclaim how that Perdita who has enthralled them was accursed from her very birth born in Newgate then taken by her mother to a penal colony where she became lost and abandoned at the early age of thirteen and how every handsome young officer in Garrison at Sydney could boast of the favours of this profligate young creature a mocking laugh came from the lips of Perdita a laugh that rang more horribly in the ears of her mother than an explosion of maledictions recriminations and insults would have done to say, Richard driveling old women I despise thee you will repent this conduct vile girl you will repent it muttered Mrs. Fitzharding approaching Perdita and gazing on her with eyes that seem to glare savagely whatever be the risk even though I involve myself in the downfall of our splendid prospects I will ruin thee to oppose and thwart me abandon thy scheme of marrying the young nobleman and we will be friends again persist in it and we separate as mortal enemies yes, and the first step which I shall take will be to repair to Charles Hatfield implore his forgiveness for having been a party to the scheme plotted against him and his and give such a character of thee, Perdita that his blood shall run cold in his veins at the mere thought of ever having been placed in contact with thee and oh the picture which a mother will draw of her daughter in such a case that picture will be terrible very terrible pause then reflect one word mother said Perdita who had maintained an extraordinary degree of composure throughout this scene doubtless because she knew I am in the long run you threaten bravely let us look calmly and deliberately at what must be the inevitable results of a fearful quarrel between you and me let us see who would get the better of it on one side would be you old, ugly disgustingly ugly I may say so that to become anything save a beggar grovelling in the kennel impossible on the other side would be myself at all events handsom enough to gain the favour of some soft fool and spoil my character as you will you cannot prevent me from finding a paramour amongst those who care nothing for the reputation but everything for the beauty of their mistresses bread to me is certain rags and starvation to you are equally well assured my life of pleasure, gaiety and dissipation is to come yours has passed and not remains for you safe to die in a workhouse or on a dung hill pardon me my dear mother for speaking thus openly thus plainly added the young woman now throwing a spice of irony into her tone but you did not spare me when you summed up my characteristics just now and before I quit the subject I may as well observe that you yourself are not the most immaculate women upon the face of the earth heaven only knows how prolific were the debaucheries of your youth but you veiled them all beneath the aspect of a saint oh that was excellent dear mother excellent indeed cried Perdita her merry musical laugh echoing through the apartment only conceive you wants to have been a saint in good truth you have not much of the appearance of a saint now mother neither had you when living with the free settler as his mistress Perdita Perdita gasped the wretched mrs. witsharding writhing like a snake at these bitter words and shaking convulsively from head to foot you will drive me mad what do you possess feelings then my dear mother demanded the young woman assuming an air of profound astonishment and yet you must have imagined that your daughter was totally without those same little feelings which it is so easy to wound and so difficult to heal well I will forbear otherwise I was about to have reminded you of those glorious times before I was born indeed when you were the paramour of Sir Henry Courtney whose name you so pleasantly and quietly forged to a slip of paper one day silence Perdita silence said mrs. witsharding in a horse and hollow tone clasping her hands convulsively at the same time I was wrong to provoke you thus you are very hard upon me you have the best of it Perdita and I, I hear the old wretch burst into tears not an assumed grief no crocodile weeping but a flood of genuine tears rung from her by the cutting, biting, bitter sarcasm which her daughter had so mercilessly, so slaughteressly levelled against her Perdita suffered her to weep without offering the least consolation for the young women was hurt and wounded on her side as well as the old hardened was hurt and wounded on the other the recriminations of those two females that mother and daughter had been terrible in their impeccability and appalling in their unnatural malignity there was a long pause during which mrs. witsharding sat sobbing being absolutely hideous in her grief while Perdita with flashing eyes dilating nostrils, flushing cheeks and palpitating bosom they half reclined upon the sofa tapping the carpet petulantly with the tip of her long narrow, exquisitely shaped shoe my dear child at length said the old women are we to be friends or enemies that depends entirely upon yourself mother was the answer I am not to be tyrannized over by you nor menaced in the fearful way in which you have threatened me today without showing resentment in return really one would have supposed that you were addressing yourself to the bitterest enemy you had in the world rather than to your daughter who has done all she could to place you in a comfortable position for the remainder of your days well let us be friends Perdita exclaimed mrs. witsharding yes we will be friends responded the daughter but remember that my views in respect to Charles Hatfield or rather Viscount Marston are to be carried into effect without again quarrelling interrupted her mother let me assure you that I cannot cannot possibly consent to this deviation from our original arrangements it was an express understanding between us that marriage was in every case to be out of the question and may not circumstances transpire to change original plans demanded Perdita beginning to divine the reasons of her mother's uncompromising opposition to her matrimonial scheme a truce to these arguments cried mrs. witsharding again growing irritable remember that this evening your love sick swain will deposit in my hands all the papers containing the evidence of his father's right to the erledom and estates of Ellingham and will you use your power to coerce me said Perdita in her quiet way which nevertheless seemed to breathe defiance I do not affirm that my child cried the old woman smothering her rage but I would ask you of what use those papers would be without my assistance to raise money on them of no more utility than our acquaintance with Charles would be to you were it not for me returned Perdita and now mother I may as well inform you at once that I can penetrate into all the motives which prompt you thus to oppose my marriage views with respect to Charles you imagine that if I become his mistress only I shall be so completely in your power that I must still continue your slave that a word from you relative to my past life would send away Charles Hatfield in disgust and that in order to prevent you from speaking that word I shall obey you blindly in fine you hope to exercise a despotism alike over him and me dispose of the purse and control the household with sovereign sway on the other hand you imagine nay do not look so black my dear mother we are only telling each other a few agreeable truths go on vile girl gasped mrs. Fitzharding trembling suffocating with rage on the other hand then pursued the young woman in a placid and excited manner on the other hand you suppose that if once I become the wife of Charles Hatfield if once he shall have taken me for better or worse if once the indissoluble not be tied your power over me would cease for were you to avenge any slight by making revelations respecting me I might lose my husband's esteem and love but should not the less remain his wife you therefore dread lest you should become a cipher dependent upon us for your daily bread unable to control the purse and the domestic economy and what will you do to guarantee that all you are now saying is not a predictive sketch of what you know must happen in case I permit your marriage demanded mrs. Fitzharding dismayed by this accurate reading of her heart secrets on the part of her daughter I can only assure you this much mother was the answer that if you conduct yourself well towards me I shall act well towards you that you shall have your own way in everything where my will is not violently thwarted and that I will cooperate with you cheerfully for our mutual interests so long as you do not attempt to drive me as a slave and all this you faithfully promise Perdita demanded her mother eagerly for she was now glad to effect any compromise rather than come to an open rupture with her daughter who she saw had in reality so much the better of her we assured mother replied Perdita we will not quarrel for war and if we quarrel anymore it will be your fault we will not quarrel Perdita said mrs. Fitzharding you shall marry Charles Hatfield or Viscount Marston as we ought to call him and here let our dispute finish with all my heart and now tell me mother how, where and with whom you intend to raise the money which Charles is to send or bring in the evening a few evenings ago when I was lurking about pal mal waiting for that young gentleman I suddenly encountered a person whom I had known years and years since and who played me a vile a very vile trick he was much altered continued mrs. Fitzharding but I knew him knew him the moment the light of the lamp on his features I accosted him told him who I was and upbreddied him for his villainy of former times he spoke softly and in a conciliatory manner and we fell into a more amicable train of conversation than at first we soon understood each other and giving me his address for by the by he has taken a new name he invited me to call upon him and we parted and then I have made inquiries in the neighbourhood where he dwells and I learned that he is reputed to be immensely rich a miser and moneylender he is therefore the man whom I require and we may reckon confidently upon his aid in the business of raising funds on the documents this very evening I will call upon him you will permit me to accompany you mother said Perdita rather in a tone of command than of interrogatory yes if such be your pleasure was the reply for the old women saw that it was useless and totally adverse to her own interests to thwart her daughter in any single respect end of section 27 section 28 of mysteries of London volume 4 this is a LibriVox recording around the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Gillian Henry mysteries of London volume 4 by George W. M. Reynolds two more old acquaintances it was about 8 o'clock in the evening of the same day when these scenes took place that an old man coming from a northern direction moved the metropolis by the suburb of Pentonville he was upwards of 74 years of age, tall, thin and retaining so much muscular vigor as only to stoop slightly in his gait his complexion was perfectly cadaverous in hue, ghastly and care-worn and sinister in its expression his attire was shabby threadbare and travel-soiled his dusty boots denoting that he journeyed some distance on foot nevertheless there was about him a certain air which in spite of his repulsive features and his sordid garb denoted gentility and an observer would have pronounced him to be as indeed he was, a decayed gentleman having passed by the model prison he struck out of the highway into the fields where so many houses are now rapidly springing up and which lie in the immediate vicinity of the Barnsbury and Liverpool roads it was evident however that he had no definite object in view, no home whether he was proceeding and he had turned into the fields merely to rub off the dust from his boots in the long grass and rest himself for a few minutes in a secluded place at length he rose and his wandering footsteps led him into the vicinity of the detached roads of small houses and cottages which dot the immediate neighbourhood of the Caledonian road once he stopped beneath a lamp and taking his money from his pocket counted it slowly and heaven knows that the amount of his pecuniary property did not require long to reckon for two shillings and silver and a few half pens constituted all the store this will at least purchase me a meal and procure me a bed for tonight he murmured to himself and then, tomorrow I must present myself to those who have not heard of me for so long a time with these words the old man resumed his slow and painful walk for he was weary and exhausted by the length of his day's journey it was evident that he had been absent many, many years from the capital for though he had once known this neighbourhood well yet now it was so changed that he gazed around him with astonishment eye and pause to gaze around too streets, rows of houses and gardens having taken the place of the open fields he had now reached a spot where the dwellings were more thinly scattered and where the path was as yet unpaved and the road was thickly strung with flints it was now close upon nine o'clock but the July evening was so beautiful that it was far from dark only dimly obscure and thus though there was no lamp in the neighbourhood where the old man was pursuing his way yet was it sufficiently liked for him to obtain a good view of objects and even of the countenances of the few people whom he met not that he paid any particular attention to the latter still a stranger just arriving in London or a person who returns to the capital after a very long absence observes and marks everything and everybody with an earnest scrutiny at first the old man was passing by two small houses forming one isolated building and standing back from the road when he encountered an individual whose face immediately struck him as being one which he had formerly known full well and in the next instant a light flashed in upon his mind yes, does he he ejaculated to himself and laying his hand upon the other's shoulder he said Mr Howard we meet at last after a separation of upwards of 19 years my name is not Howard and I know nothing of you sir let me go was the immediate reply delivered by the individual whom the old man had accosted and who was himself well stricken in years being now midway between 60 and 70 where I on my deathbed I could swear that your name was once Howard and that you were an attorney in London an attorney who absconded ruining thousands exclaimed the old man what means this insolence asked the other affecting a tone of deep indignation mingled with surprise pass on your wacer let me pursue mine not till I have had recompense or vengeance grumbled the old man ferociously for a sum of money did I sell myself to a vile and abandoned woman a certain Mrs Thingsby whom you knew well and this money was deposited with you villain that you are for you fled and the loss of that money was not the lightest of the myriad misfortunes that fell upon me at that time now do you know who I am Mr Howard for I know you full well you have spoken of a number of unintelligible things to me sir mentioned names with which I never was acquainted alluded to circumstances entirely unknown liar ejaculated Mr Torrance for he was the old man who had just now weirdly entered the suburb of Pentonville liar he repeated seizing the other individual by the collar what should prevent me from raising an alarm and giving you into custody for though years have elapsed yet your offences have never been expiated softly softly my good sir interrupted the person thus addressed and whose manner began to evince trepidation and alarm let us adjourn somewhere and talk amicably on this matter no cried Mr Torrance how do I know but that you intend to unveil me into a den where you may perhaps silence my tongue forever fool muttered the other between his lips does he take me for a murderer I believe you to be capable of any villainy returned the now infuriated Torrance whose ears had caught the sense of those low murmurings but I shall not lose sight of you until I have received full and complete satisfaction for the wrongs I endured at your hands many years ago and that you are able to give such satisfaction your appearance proves full well he added as his eye caught a glimpse of the gold chain and massive seals which depended from the other's fob Mr Torrance I will no longer attempt to conceal a fact of which you are so well assured I am the Howard to whom you allude but in the name of God do not ruin me do not expose me here this is my dwelling he continued pointing to one of the two houses in front of which this colloquy took place walk in with me and we will converse in their ease yes I will accompany you said Mr Torrance in a laconic manner lead the way sir Mr Howard drew forth a small key from his pocket and with it opened the iron gate of the railings in front of the house Torrance followed him across the little enclosure and with another and larger key he opened the door of the dark and gloomy looking dwelling no domestic appeared the lawyer entering the parlor groped about in the dark until he found some Lucifer matches Torrance remaining all the while in the passage at length a light was obtained and the visitor was requested to enter the room which by means of the one poor candle that now through a feeble gleam around appeared to be but indifferently furnished so that the aspect of the small and cheerless house somewhat damped the hopes which Torrance had entertained of compelling the individual whom he had thus accidentally encountered to discourage the some by him upwards of 19 years previously do you live all alone here he demanded taking the seat to which Howard pointed yes all alone was a reply I am too poor to keep a servant too poor exclaimed Mr Torrance his heart sinking within him yes indeed how should I be possessed of any money said Howard glancing around with nervous anxiety as if you are afraid of being overheard from the moment that I was forced by unexpected reverses and sudden misfortunes to fly from London I have led a life of continued struggles and although a few years ago I was venturous enough to return to the metropolis and settle in this little cottage which I got at a cheap rent as it was only just built yet my affairs have not improved but you must have some means of subsistence you pursue some avocation you doubtless continue to practice no no interrupted Howard hastily I have been compelled to change my name and it is as Mr Percival poor Mr Percival that I am known in this neighbourhood you adopt strange precautions for a poor man said Torrance pointing to the strong iron bars that fasten the shutters of the window then turning a look full of sardonic meaning upon Howard or Percival as we shall call him he added and we think that when you opened your front door just now a heavy chain rattled assuredly your little house is well protected what would you infer from these facts demanded Percival that I have money that I have turned miser he cried with a forced and unnatural laugh absurd the persons who lived here before me had those bars put up to the window shutters and that heavy chain to the street door I thought you got the house cheap because it had only just been built said Torrance smiling with malignant incredulity yes but I did not tell you that I was the first person who occupied it exclaimed Percival as if eager to explain away an inconsistency in his statements and a face from the mind of his visitor the disagreeable impression made there this is mere child's play Mr Howard or Percival your name may be you have got money and you wish me to believe you poor for myself I am poor so poor that I have but wherewith to obtain a meal and a bed for one night it is true that I have a daughter and a son-in-law in London and it is likewise true that necessity stern, imperious necessity has driven me at last to this city to seek assistance at their hands but for nine years have I remained as one dead to them for nine years have I wondered about the world caring not what might become of me and wishing to be believed dead in all reality by my daughter who suspects that I have been very criminal and by my son-in-law who knows that I have yes, yes, I have purposely left them in uncertainty relative to me unhappy man that I am left them so I say in order that they may apprehend the worst stern want however was driving me to them when I encountered you tomorrow morning I should have appeared in their presence in the presence of the daughter whom I do not love and of her husband whom I hate hate for his very virtues and because he knows me to be so vile old man bitterly but now sir that I have met with you your purse must save me the pain, the humiliation the annoyance of encountering those beings face to face come Mr. Percival I have spoken to you frankly do you be equally candid with me candid in what demanded the individual us addressed in respect to your own means and resources I do not wish to be hard upon you but a portion of the money that you robbed me of I must and will have these are harsh words and unavailing too said Percival for I have not a sixpence to bless myself with but he added with a malicious grin if I cannot give you money I may perhaps impart a piece of agreeable intelligence what to me exclaimed Torrance in a tone of surprise yes to you what would you think if I were to tell you that your dearly beloved wife was in London at this very moment and passing under the aristocratic name of Fitz Harding my wife repeated Torrance turning positively livid as these words struck upon his ears no impossible I would not meet that dreadful woman for thousands of pounds then if you remain here you will assuredly encounter her said Percival for I received a note from her this evening announcing her intention to honour me with a visit he added intently watching the effect which these words produced upon his companion villain you're endeavouring to get rid of me as speedily as possible cried Torrance almost foaming at the mouth with rage should you recognise your wife's handwriting demanded Percival a diabolical grin still distorting features which once handsome had been marred and rendered repulsive by time and evil passions though she is now stricken in years and has become positively hideous in personal appearance that handwriting retains all the grace and fluency which ever characterised it with these words he took a perfumed note from his pocketbook and handed it to Torrance who hastily glancing over its contents read the following words Mrs Fitz Harding presents her compliments to Mr Percival and will call upon him between 9 and 10 o'clock this evening for a very particular business she therefore hopes that Mr Percival will have the kindness to remain at home to receive her now are you satisfied demanded Percival who perceived by the workings of Torrance's countenance that the handwriting had been fully recognised and on what matters is she that vile woman coming to you asked Torrance impatiently I cannot answer the question you perceive that she speaks only of particular business in a vague fashion I met her by accident some few days ago and have not seen her since and she comes between 9 and 10 Muse Torrance and it is already close upon 10 o'clock I would not meet her for the world to recall to my mind with intolerable force all the anguish all the sufferings no, no he cried suddenly interrupting himself and starting from his chair I will not I cannot meet her then you had better depart at once said Percival evidently most anxious to see the unwelcome visitor turn his back upon the house yes I shall depart indeed he exclaimed Torrance but you must give me money first nay, no more excuses I am a desperate man at that instant a double knock at the street door echoed through the little dwelling tis your wife said Percival hide me or let me escape cried Torrance manifesting a violent and most unfamed reluctance to encounter the women whom for so many reasons left and abhorred here by the back gate said Percival and taking the light in his hand he hastily conducted the almost bewildered Torrance along the passage down a few steps and thence to a door opening upon a piece of unenclosed waste ground at the back of the house at that instant the double knock was repeated more loudly than before and evidently with impatience right Mr Torrance said Percival skatially able to subdue a spice of lurking satire in his tone good night return the other savagely but I shall visit you again tomorrow morning Percival closed the back gate as if to shut out this intimation from his ears and hurrying to the front door he gave admittance to Perdita and her mother end of section 28