The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 241: what you’re looking at

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upon the mantel-piece. But Baron Louis would not accept the amount: he declared, with all that exquisite politeness which characterizes a French gentleman, that not being in this neighbourhood for a professional purpose, he could only exercise his skill in the way of friendship, and therefore would not think of being rewarded. In short, he used so many arguments that it was impossible for Zoe to persevere in her endeavour to force the fee upon him; and with renewed expressions of gratitude she took her departure, acoompanied by her friend Clarine. ° “T know not, my dear Zoe,” said Mademoiselle Volney, as they were returning homeward to the Chateau, “that I ever experienced more heartfelt satisfaction than at the instant when this good and kind man pronounced his opinion. Qh, what a change of prospect is now opened before your mental vision! But good heavens! you are weep- ing ——Ob! how you are weeping, my sweet friend {!—and there is an agony in the-source of these teare!” “Tf it be heaven's will that my life should bf prolonged to a span greater than I had antici- pated,” answered Lady Ootavian Meredith, “I must submit. But, Ob, Clarine}] how can you expect me to be joyous and happy? There might have been that feeling for a moment—and yet I know not whether there was: but now that I have leisure for reflection, I am compelled to ask myself —and I ask you likewise—-what have I worth living for ?” “You must live in the hope that happiness may yet be your's,” replied Mademoiselle Volney. * Ah! my desr friend, I am about to say some thing which costs me a pang: but I am impelled by a sense of duty. I love you: a variety of cir. cumstances hae tended to establish a firm bond of friendship and affection between us~—a bond which, I hope, death aicne shall ho enabled to break; and therefore does it afflict me to think of separation. Nevertheless we must separate—and perhaps sooner tob than I bad expected—becauee, my dear Zoe, it is your duty to return to your husband.’ ‘What! to render him unhappy P” exclaimed Lady Ootavien. ‘Ab, my dear Clarine! if that physician has just now told me that I may expect to live, you are on the other hand tellipg me how to invite the presence of death in tre shortest and most effective manner; for my heart would break if I were to return to England to encounter all ' that I passed through for some months gre I came upon the Continent! I had hoped to die soon, Clarine —-—— yes, I had hoped to die soon —in order that I might leave Octavian free to follow the bent of his own inclinations.” “You have already made too many sacrifices on that point, dear Zoe; and you must make no more. It is not for you to martyrize yourself utterly and completely for the sake of others: but it is for them to make sacrifices aleo. “Have you not told me that your husband is naturally good aod gene- yous, end that Obristina Ashton is herself a model of purity and virtuef—sand if i is with such beings thet you have to deal, wherefore should all the « and the sacrifices be upon your side P pk you that your husband will not do every- be to conquer his own passion f——and think you that Ghristine’s senso of delicacy, her feminine _ pride, and her good feeling, bave not already led ees Ce ed ED. aah egy eS TT her to stifle whatecever love Lord Octavian my have inspired her with ?” “Ah, Clarine!” responded Zoe, “can you ask me these questions,—you who have loved and still love eo tenderly and ao well? Did you find it so easy to stifle love in your bosom? did even a father’s mandates or injunctions———"’ * Zoe,” interrupted Olarine, speaking in a low half-hushed voice, “it is,the tryth which you are proclaiming from your lips; and everything you atate affords an additional proof of the weakness of us poor mortals. But, good heavens! what will youdoP The skill of science has just ascertained the fact that your young life may be ‘prolonged until it grows old: and are you to pass all these years in misery—voluntarily separated from the husband whom you love—expatriated afar from your sire, your friends, and acquaintances? Ob, the affection which I bear for you might prompt me selfishly to rejoice at the prospect of having* you altogether and for ever with me: but, on the other band, I have a regard for your happiness; and ,that very friendship which I experipnce for you, will prevent me from seeing you make the most unheard-of sacrifices, and martyrising yourself to an extent that has no parallel in the history of woman !” “And yet,” said Zoe,tin that same sweet voice of mild resignation in whigh for a long time past she had been acoustomed to speak, “ those sacrifices must be made—that self-martyrization must be accomplished! If circumstances prevent me from ensuring my own happiness, I may at least be per- mitted the satisfaction of doing my best to ensure the happiness of others. Aud now, my dear friend, you will oblige me by abandoning this topic for the present. It is not on the eve of your bridal day that yuu are to be saddened by the infectious influence of my sorrows. Besides,” continued the amiable lady, smiling, “I wish to be gay—and~ and—happy———as happy as possible on thid occa- sion! Am I not to accompany you to Fontaine- bleauP and shall we not some days or weeks bence have ample leispre to discuss all the circumstances which regard myself? Then, my dear Clarine, you shall proffer me your counsel: but for the present,” added Zoe, somewhat abruptly, “ let us avert our attention from the subject.” * At least there is one thing you promise me f” said Mademoiselle Volney,—“ one thing upon which I must insist,—that you follow the advice which Baron Louis has given, and that you will seek the earliest opportunity of obtaining competent medical treatment? Doubtless at Fontainebleau we sball find trustworthy and talented prac- titioners——” “Yes, Clarine,” answered Zoe, “I shall falfil my duty in that respect: for you have this evens ing convinced me by your eloquent reasoning that the life of us mortals is not our own to be disposed of as we will; but it is a trust confided to us, to - be cherished, watched over, and cared for tc the utmost of,our power.” Mademoiselle Volney, yielding to her friend's wishes, ubandoned the topic upon which they had previously been conversing, although i¢ was with Peiustance that abe did 56 for abe ex i the warmest affection for Lady Octavian *h and she did not like the mood into which Zoe had velanpsed, nor the representations she had made ee aaa anneal THE WYSTERIES OF THY COURT. | ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)