The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 248: what you’re looking at

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

meee ee THRE MYSTERIES transpired. viab resumed his journey in another equipage, he having received a loan from the Mayor to meet his immediate peowniary requirements. It was a little past ten o'clock in the morning when the youny Enylish nobleman thus pursued “hig journoy,—now unattended, and having to de- plore the luss of a valet who had served him faith- fully. The forest was .traversed—the fatal spot where the hideous tragedy had taken place, was passed ; and when once the mozo of countless trees was left behind, the road lay through an open ¢coun- try over which thé eye could range tua connderable distance on either side. Upwards of thirty miles were so accomplished ; and 1¢ was between one and two o'clock in the afternoon when the post ehaise éntered a town where Octavian purposed to tarry a brief space that he might procure the retresh- ment of which he stood so much im ueed; fur he had not as yet broken bis fast. The equipuge drove up to the door cf tho prin. cipal hotel 1 the pluce; and on alighting, Lord Octavion observed two baydsome travelling car- ridges which had evideutly only arriyod a tew minutes previous, as the post-horses which were now to be changed, had not as yet moved away fron) the viemage of the hotel. <A couple of do- mesiics in handsume liveries were conversing with a tlird menial in plu clothes, and who was evidently a valet in tLe eume service as the fuot- men themselves. Octavian therefore concluded that sume family of distinction had halted at this same hutel where his own «quipage had estopped : but his mind was too much enyroseed witha variety of subjects to have scope for apy curiowty on that patticuiar pornt. Inquiring for a private roo, lis demand was attended to by a waiter of tho vsfabhehient.—who requested bin to ascend tu the first Hoor, Octavian lolluwed the domestic up the staircase ; aud at tho moment they reached the lucding, ihe door of an apartment suddenly opened and a lyly came forth. Hjaculatiuns buret from the lips of this lady, as well a3 from Chose of Octa- vinn ; for it was the wile who was thus unexpectedly met by the husvand at that place. Zoe's first inpulse was to spring forward and throw herself into Octavian’s arins: but all ina muwent a sickening sensntion came ever her as she reincmbered that he loved anuther! She stagyered against the door-post, and would havo fallen, were it not that Lord Octavian Aiuself rushed towards her and canght hor in lis arms. § Zue—iny dewest wito!” hf murmured, as he atruined her tv lis breast. “I was cunning to seek you— was on my way tu juin you, to du my duty by you hencetorth! Sut by what lucky chanee 13 it that J meot you here?” , “ Octavian, 18 it possible,” suid Zuc, in uccents tromulous with mingiel joy and wonderment, “that I have heard arnght—-or du my ears ducvive - me Pp” “It ie trae, Zoe,” responded Moredith: “but, Oh! 1 bave so much to tell you !”— than suddenly recollecting that the botel-servant wae a apeutator ut this ecene, he turned to him, saying, “ Uonduot us to the private roum that I have asked for.” The waiter at once obcyed: Zuo and Octavian were now Alono togethers. “an you tongiveine, Zoe?” asked her husband, scatiug hiwself by her side, taking her hand, aad 8 es Immediately it broke up Lord Octa- wo = — / ate ne ei ED ee «oe EE eee 235 gazing upon hee with looks of carneat entreatys “is it possible that you can forgive me—that you can reecive me again as 1 wish to be received P— for Iam aware, Zoe, that you know everything ———— Alas, I have long been convinced of it!” For some minutes the amiable young lady was so overpowered by her feelings that she could give no respunee ; the tears trickled duwa her cheeks— but through them she gased with (he moat earnest and devoted affection upon her "husband. Again and again did he press hep to his heart: but his owe vinos waa now atified by the emotions which agitated within him. Zoe,” he at length said, sinking at her feet, “on my knees do I implore your pardon for the past! I have indulged in a dream—I was its victim—it was a delusiotn——yet whilo it lasted it had the power to render me faithless in thought aud in fecling unto yourself. Oh! bitterly, bit- terly du I repent everything that has occurred! TI have been very, very wicked~I have requited all your love in a manner which I blush to luok back pon! But forgive me, Zoe— forgive me !—and heaceforth shall it be my constant aud unweuried study to make every atouenent!” “Octaviau,” suswered Zoe, in a voice which flowed as poftly as thg tears thomeolves that were trickling from her eyes, “I never had expected to hear such language as this from your lips! And, Oh! if it be sincerely spoken—if it do indeed faithfally represent any change which may hare taken place in your own heart, you are at this moment rendering me the happiest of women !” “As God is my judge,” exclaimed Meredith, starting up from his koees, “I am proclaiming from the lips ail thatis truly felt in the heart!” Again they ombraced; and words have no powor tv describe the joy, the paradise of feeling which Zoe now experienced. Indeed, it was a happiness alinost tuo rpch for her to endure; and this sudden change in her circumatunces was nuturally accompanied by a proportion:te revule sion in all the feelings of the heurt ilfoM. Whth- vet as yet being acquainted with a single par- titular of tho ingidents which had brouglit this changy about and recalled her husbund to her urmes, edhe accepted tho assurances which Octavian had given her: she felt convinced they were sin- cere—his presence there was a proof of it—aud she consequently abandoned hersclt to the full tide of that sunlit stream of joy on which her soul was now fluating. A dizzivess caine over her, and uhe felt as if she were about to faist—aae if indeed sho must swoon uff in the very ecstasy of bapp.ness itself: but she excrted all her powers to save her- selt' as it were from unconsciousness—and she suc- ceeded. “Ob, my beloved Octavian!” shw murmured, as her head repvsed upon his shoulder—and though her voico was low, yet was there a thrill of exulta- tiua im ita tone, “what bles bas thie day brought forth for me! And yesterday too———I ought to have Jooked upon it as the harbinger of sume most happy chauge thatwas to take placs——" “Yoaterday, my beloved Zoo?” saul Octavian: “what mean you P” “Untel yesterday,” rejoined the now happy wile, “ methought that there were within me the aceds of an incurable disease: methought that consumption had fastened upon my vitals, and OF THE COURT. ED EE wits Te. wpe ae eee a COMIC OOS Lo) SS (CO)