The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

206 and so {insulting towards one who hus served me so | joined Christina: “ my brother lives with him alto. signally.” The young gentleman bowed in acknowledgment | gether THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “‘ Mr. Redcliffe is a kind friend of mine,” re. I myself am residing with an Eastern of this assurance; and then said, “| presume that lady of rank and wealth; and our habitation is you reside in this neighbourhood ?” ‘At a distance of about a mile,” answercd Obriatina. , yonder villa,” “Rejoiced as I at first was,” said Captain Stanley, “in having been enabled by circumstances “You will pormit mo to escort you as far as your | to render assistance to a young lady, even while dwelling?” said ber new acquaintance: “for it is believing her a total stranger,—infinitely more quite possible that villanoug Lascar may be loitor- | delighted am I now on finding that we are not ing about in the neighbourhood.” Christina gladly and thankfully accepted the proffered courtesy: her deliverer threw the bricdle uver his grm and walked by the horse’s side, ao that he might keép better companionship with Christina. “You are deceived, sir,” she said, “as to that man, although it is very natural you should be guided by appearances. He is not a Lascar—but sowo English robber in diaguiso.” “Indeed !’ exclaimed the stranger with aston- ishment. “Yes, it isas I tell you,” rejoined Christinh. “He robbed my brother last night as we wore re- turning from a party: there was a conflict—a gatruggle—but, to be brief, the man escaped.” Christina’s companion surveyed the young lady with the utmost interest while she spoke; and yot he had sufficient command over his feeling of ad- miration to prevent it from bordering upon rude- ness. He thought he had never seen any one 60 _ exquisitely beautiful es she by whose side he was now walking. Her countenance, her figure, her looks, her manners—the silvery tones of her voice all formed a combination of charms and attrao- tions that ravished bis heart. Ho Jonged to know more of her, and to improve his acquaintance with an impression upon him. But all the while Chris- tina herself was perfectly unaware that her blended beauty and modesty had inspired her companivn with so much interest on her behalf. He slow inquired the exact particulars of what bad occurred botween herself and the robber. The details were not long: bat as Christina gave them, her deliverer Jrank in the sounde of her voice as if they were those of a delicious music. ‘When she had done speaking, he proqeded to give her to understand that be was,an officer in the army—that he was on leave of absence from his regiment—and that he was temporarily staying with some friends at Kensington. He coygratu- lated himself on the fortunate ocourrence of having taken en evening ride in that partioular direction ; and he concluded by intimating that his name was Captain Stanley. mmediately struck with this name, Christina glanced rapidly towards her companion—and said, “Might I agk whether your father is Sir William Stanley who resides near Liverpool P” “The same!” oried the Céptain, both overjoyed and astonished at this species of recognition on the part of the beautiful young lady whose ac- intence he was so anxious to cultivate. “ But ’ ip i& possible —” .*F have beard Mr. Redcliffe speak of you,” re- glied Obrighina, thus anticipating the question. “ Mr, Redcliffe |—that kind generous tan!” | age exclaimed Captain Stanley; “9s brave too as he is altogether unknown to each other. I only arrived in town yesterday; and it was my intention to call on Mr. Redcliffe to-morrow. Perhaps—perbaps,” added the Captain hesitatingly, “I may venture likewise to call at your residence, to assure myself that you will in the meantime have perfectly re- covered from the alarm produced hy this inci- dent.” Alt the rules of politeness as well as the addi- tioval oxfes of gratitude prevented Christina from giving a negative response to thie request; and with artless candour ghe said, “If you do me the honour of calling, Captain Stanley, the Lady In- dora with whom [ live will personally express hor thanks for the sérvice you have rendered one for whom she cherishes a sisterly affection.” This portion of the cialogue took place in the road from which the lang diverged; and the gate of the villa was now in sight. Scarecly had the young maiden given the answer just placed upon record, when a gentleman on horseback wus seen rapidly approaching ; and Christina at once recog- nised Lord Octavian Meredith. She instanta- neously became aware of the necessity of main- ‘taining all her fortitude, ber firmness, and her ‘feminine dignity: for the conviction smoto her . one who thus in a few minutes had made so deep {that he was there, in that neighbourhood, to seck ‘an interview with horself—perhaps a parting one —befure ho fulfilled his promise by going abroad to rejoin Zoe. Captain Stanley did not notice that anything peculiar had at the moment transpired to etartle hid fair companion: for she w&s indecd startled for a single instant on recognising Lord Octavian. As for his lordship himself, he suddenly drew in his bridle and brought his steod to a halt at a distance of about twenty yards from Christina and Captain Stanley: then, the next momeut, he abruptly wheeled round his horse and galloped away. “That gentleman appears to have taken the wrong road,” observed the Captain, utterly unsus- picious of how well Ohristina was acquainted with him; “and he has only this inetant porceived his mistake.” . “Perhaps so,” said oung maiden, scarcely knowing what she did qa¥ :, for all her self-posscs- sion abandoned her as « widd@en thought flashed in unto her brain. ; Was it possible that Meredith could have fan- cied she was walking with a rival P—that it was a suitor for her hand whom he bBebeld in her com. pany, aad who with the familiarity of intimacy had dismounted from hie horse in order that he : might the more conveniently and agreeably enjoy the pleasures of discourse fF Innocent and artless though Ohristina were, yet no young lady of her could be so utterly inexperienced in the ways of the world as not at once to perceive how naturally > sat a eS eee mee ah € Be — hind—for he saved father’s life amidst the | and even reasonably a suspicion of that eort might rongios of India ad strike the mind of Cotavian Meredith. é cnceenagsecemeclge” CONG OOOlKS. conn