CHAPTER XI. 'Madam, you must come to your uncle; yonder's To return to Lady de Quincy and Mr. Cavendish. On receiving the depositions. which Madame Sophie and Signor Torsini had sworn to, and to which the packet of letters was attached as corroborative evidence, they immediately proceeded to Belgrave Square. It would be useless to swell these pages with a repetition of all which had to be related. to Lord and Lady Horton. The reader is acquainted with all the circumstances, except the fact of Signor Torsini having returned Miss Neville's letters under cover to Miss Douglas, as a reparation he wished to make her for the equivocal situation in which her generous self-devotion had placed her with the gentleman who had become cognisant of their interview. It will be remembered that at that time Ellen's life and reason were alike in danger, and the packet having been confided to Madame Sophie, with a statement of its contents, she kept it as a weapon in her own hands, in case Miss Neville, when Lady Monro, should forget her promises. No one but herself and Torsini, who naturally supposed it given to Miss Douglas, knew of its existence till that day. One other hitherto unknown fact was deposed to, which explains, if it does not excuse, Signor Torsini's malediction of Miss Douglas on Charlotte's wedding day; viz. that during the interval between the interview and the wedding, a letter had been written him in Miss Douglas's name, signifying that she was Sir Horace's intended bride, and that if the Signor would absent himself from the neighbourhood, and abstain from all attempt at intercourse with Miss Neville, she would, after her marriage, endeavour to propitiate her aunt in favour of the Signor's suit to her friend. Just as these events had been made known by Mr. Cavendish, Lord Enersdale, who had strolled down to Arlington Street to inquire at what time Sir Horace Monro was expected, returned to the house accompanied by Dr. M, who had joined him in the Park. Julia, unmindful that her brother was not alone, rushed to him, put her arms around his neck, and, amidst tears and smiles, whispered "Ellen is yours-her oath is no longer binding!" Mr. Cavendish approached them, put a parcel of papers into Lord Enersdale's hands, exclaiming, "Read them, my dear lord, read Miss Douglas's justification, and enjoy her noble triumph." Lord Enersdale put his hand to his head; for an instant he seemed bewildered by what was passing around; but recovering himself, he put back the papers, and looking at his sister and Mr. Cavendish, said Ellen's justification! What can I want with such a paper; to me she has always been justified. For God's sake do but repeat to me that she is released, that she will feel herself released from her oath, and let me fly to her to reiterate mine.” "She cannot but think so," replied Lady de Quincy, who had not before spoken since Lord Enersdale's entrance; indeed, his extraordinary likeness to his father, as she remembered and had idolized that father, had nearly overpowered her, and now rendered her voice tremulous from emotion. Lord Enersdale sprang towards her, took her hands in his, as though he had known her for years, saying, "I cannot be mistaken; it must be Ellen's loved Lady de Quincy, who for ever rivets herself to my heart, by giving me this assurance." A servant entered hastily, with alarm in his looks, to announce that a person from Arlington Street begged to see Lord Enersdale immediately. His Lordship was absent a few moments, and on his return every one saw that some painful communication had been made. He took Mr. Cavendish aside, and inquired if, in the discovery that had taken place, any blame attached itself to Lady Monro. "The whole blame; nay, call it not by so mild a term, for it was a deep and deadly crime, and it was hers." |