The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

| THE MYATREIFS OF THE COURT. to every ono else Christina’s aspect and bearing were devoid of aught to create auy particular at- tention—yet Lord Octavian felt as if his heart were riven with a pang: for to him this caltn firm. noss appeared a proof of indifferonce. Te said not a word for several minutes aftor he had invited her to dance with him: but still he had aufficiont pre- sonce of mind to avoid betraying by his luoks the feelings which wore agitating in his breast. “* Little did I expect the pleasure of encounter. ing you here,” he presently said: and again his voice was low aud tremulous. “I havo mingled but little in society lately-——-I camo hither to- nizht to distract my miad aa it were from tho thoughts which are ever agitating 1t—” “May 1 inquire,” asked Chri.tina, “if your Verdship has lately heard ——” “From ZueP Yos:’—and ho heavod a pro- fund sigh, “I see that your brother is here,” he immediately added, evidently fur the, purposo of chanzing the topic. The circumstances of the dance suddenly inter- rupted the discourse; and when the fizure was ended, Lord Octavian was evidently too fuuch em- barrassed tv know how to resumo the conversation. Christina therefore began to speak on indifferent tupics: bué her position wis growine more and a @ ° — more ombarrassing and paintul; for bv a kind of ~ absolutely chilling | | | | | | | intuitive knowledge shf®compreliended what Mere- dith himsclf felt. “ Is it possible, Christina,” no presontly said, in a low deep voice, “that L hava beeome an object of utter indiff-rence towards you? You are searecly courtevus towards mo — your manner 18 9 Tam incapable of behavine with a wilful de- ficiency of courtesy,” replied Christina : but there was something in the quick look which she flunz pon the young nobleman, which seemed to imply that if she dil not absviutely resent, yet she at least deprocated his calling her by hor Christian name. . , “ But why thus cold towavds me P” ho asked : ' “why thus freozingP Surely L have not ofeuded answered, | | | | you P” “No, my lord—you have not offended me,” she “ But may I beg that you will cease thesy reproaches Pp” Avain did the circumstances of the daneco inter rupt the disevurse; and when it was renewed, Christina talked in a manner which as plainly a; _ possible forbade any recurrence to that which sie Gene evideutly regarded as forbidden pround. “ May J expect the pleasure of dincing erain with you this evening P” he inqu'rel ina tone of earnest appeal, as he conducted her back tv her sent. ° “T beg your lordship to exeusa me,” replied Christina: and tho response was yiven with a ficm- ness which again sent a pang through Meredith’s * heart, “ But this is most unkind!” ho sayl, almost passionately, though in a very low vuico. “ At least wo are friends? You do not answer me [-— and then, after a moment’s pause, he added, “ Chris- tina, you will drive me to despair !” “One word, my lord!” rejoined the young maiden firmly. “I cannot be guilty of so muck ridiculous affeetation as to pretend to be ignorant of these allusions: but I beseech your lordship to Cid b.— Ain eae Sea Sais @aet oe ied ee a ei, 195 understand that I shall regard your conduct in the light of a persecution if you persist in it.” Having thus spvken, Christina roso from the seat to which she had been conlucted, and pro- ceeded to jain Lady Auastatia, who was now con- versing with Christian and two or threo others on the opposite side of the apartment? In one acnse it cost Christina a severe pang Jo behave in this manner towards Lord Octavian: but in another sense sho was rojvicol—yes, absolutely rejoiced— because she felt ghat sho had done her duty, and there was a glowing appr val within the region of her own cunscience. As for Lord Octavian himself, nothing could excecd the distress of mind that he experienced, —although he had sulliciert tortitude to avuid the outward betrayal thereof. [asuing from tho saloon, he went forth upon tho landing, to ob- tuin if possiblo a less heated! atinusphere; for ‘ia brows were fevered and were throbbing violently. JLo passed on inte the refreshmeut-room, where he obtained sume cuoling beverage; and thevee bo ntored © conservatory, where ho found himself ecanpletely alous. ere he gavo way to his reflec. tiony,. Lady Anashatia Latham was conversing with some of her zuests, as adready stated, when 2 foot- man drawing near ¢v the group, hovered a fow muwents about it, in such a inanner a3 to in heate that ho wished to speak to his mistress. Sie woved away from her frien 13; and he said to her, “ Please your ladyship, thore iy that person ~—Mr. Shadbolt —who has called agaand requuits a few unnutes’ interviow.” Did you not toll hin that I was partiouarly engaged ?” asked Anastatia, the colour for an in- stant rushing to her cheeks. “TI did, my lady,” replied the domestic: “ bué, to tell your ladyship the truth, he insists ——" * Tnoucth !? interrupted Anastitia: and then, with regained self-posacRaon, she added, “ Yea, the business 139 of impoctance. 1 will spoak to lam. Whero 18 he 2” o “JT showed him into tho breakfast parlour, my LMty,” answered the footman: “for, to tell your ladyship the trathy’ added the man, with an air of concern, © he 1s the worse fos liquur—and T searecly dared venture to bring his message to your lady- shi.” ° Aunstatia nfdved hastily away: she f'lt humt.- liated in tho presence of her asrvant. There wis pomothing ‘degrading in the ulea thet she should bo asked for by & pergon who camo ina state of intoxication, and that she should not daro bid the domestic turn him away fren the house. Sno was cousiderably agitated—tiou rh outwardly this exe citement was scarcely visible co the crowd of guests amongst whom she passe! oi her way towarda the dour of the ball-room. She issued furth—descended the stairs—and proceeded to the breakfast-parlour. Now, it happened that Sir Frederick Latham was standing at a little distance from the spot where that rapid conversation had taken place between Anastatia and the domestic. Ifo had secn the servant huver about the group in orler to gain speech with Anastatis; and he had marked that glow which hed crimsored her countenance. 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