The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

— Ss ee ele zs eel a ee Ae “same a a a a a ee ee Es TE par ere iceginigat® “ime, Avor of a house, of very gentec} appearance, though not of very spacious dimensions. To her inguiry whether Lady Octavjan Mcre- dith was at hdme aud could be séon at such an early hour in the furenoon, she received an affirmia- tive response—and was at once conducted to a pariour where Zoc, in a morning deshabillée, was seated upon a sufa. Christina was already pre- possessed, by what Mrs. Giles had said, in favour of Lady Octavian Meredith: bat her good opinion gas enhanced at the very firet glaneo which sho ~ung upon Mr. Armytage's daughter. Jt was not #0 much that the exyuisite beauty of Zoe interested the young girl, as that the goocness and sweetness depicted on Lady Octavian Meredith’s lovely countenance, were well calculated to inspire confi- dence and hope. The dark velvet covering of the sofa threw out Zoe’s form in admirable relief,— arrayed as it was in a light morning garb: hor hair, without any ornament, showored in ringlets upon ber shoulders; and it was with a gracious encouraging smile that Zoo, on learaiag Christina's business, bade her sit down. Lady Octavian Meredith herself was struck with the extreordinary beauty of Christina—-a beauty which was in stich perfect contrast with her own, —inasmuch a8 Miss Ashton’s hair and eyes wore dark, while those of her Indyship wero of @ light angelio style. But it would have been difffoult for an observer to decide which was the more beauti- ful of the two—although perhaps Christina might havo carried off the palm. There was no shade of jealousy—no, not even the slightest tinge thereof, in Zoc’s disposition ; aid thoreforo when Miss Ashton announced the | object of her visit, it did-not for a single motseat octur to Lady Octavian Meredith that there might possibly be some danger in introducing 40 tran acondingly beautiful @ creaturo into the house. Bé- sides, in the saine way that Christina was inter- eated by Zoe's appetritice—so was the latter at once prepossessed with regard to the former ; and Lady Octavian Meredith found herself inwardly expressing the hope that the applicant would prove a suitable candidate for the position she had come to acek. ! ; ‘lt is perfectly trae,” said Zoe, ia her sweot musical voice, “that I wish to enter into an engagement with a young lady who will live with yov as a fricnd :"—for she could not utter tke word companion, which in that particular sense might ‘convey the offensive signifleancy of a toady, “ Lord Octavian Meredith is, es u matter of course, frequently vat: it is natural that he should seek thos’ conipanions with whom his position enables him to assccinte; and I ocensionally feel myself somewhat dull and lonely. You aro aware that in what is called the fushionable world, visits are pot paid until late in the afternoon, and then they are wore flying onea~and I am fain to confess, that the conversation is usually frivolous and un- satisfactory. Thus I am many hours alone; and I cannot always while away the time with my books, my music, or my work. Therefore I seek the friendahip of a young lady of amiable manners, of intellectual acquirements, and of certain accom- plishments. She may rely upon kifd treatment: she aball never And herself in a false position—she shall be as one of the family—-subject to no re- Wraint nor coercion~-and to be regarded ay on a othe Tei wher Sind ie Air gp aires gy ER Alomar THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT perfect equality with myself, I have been thus candid and frauk~-thus lengthy likewise in my explanationa, s0 that vou may at once untlerstand, Miss Ashton, my requirement end all its circums stancos.” The reader must bear in mind that Zoo was utterly ignorant of the mequaintance of her hus- band with Christina—equaily unaware of the ad- venture in the Park nine weeks back—equally unaware also of the dual whieh had fullowed. On the other hand, Christina wae es completely igno rant that accident kad brought her to the house belonging to nm whom she only knew as Mr. Percival—and of course equally igmorint that she was in the presence of thet individual's wife. “IT thank your ladyship,” anewerag Miss Ashton, “for the explanations you heve’given me; and I fully appreciate the delinate terms in which they have been conveyed. With equal frankness will 1 place before your ladyship the bumble claims which £ have to submit fo your notice. I was well oducated, and was instfoected in some few aqdom phekments-- though F am wot vain cnough to ay that EF possess any. I am fond of music—I love drawittg in water colours or With pencil—I am equally atteohed to a certain style of reading— chiefly history, biegraphy, books of travel, and such instrustive works. I have very disposition to vender myself agrecable and useful; and I may confidently add that I shall repay with gratitude whetsotver Kindness is shown me. My positior is gomowheat a painful one. 1 bave a twin-beother— and wo ate orphans. We aro jikewiso friendiess. A tevertt eatamtity has deprived us of the resources which wo previously possessed—E allude to the sudden flight of a person who Kved ox the other wide of the Rezent’s Purk-——” “Do you mean Mr. Preston?’ inqaired Zoe, With eome degrec of surprise. “Phe same, my lady,” andéwered Christina. “And it was my own father Mr. Armytage,” rejoined Zue, “ who first disesvered that man’s de- limquencies—and I regret to say that he foo has sufiered by them. Is ho @ falation of yours ¢” “Oh, no, my lady!” responded Christina: “ we have not to our knowledge any relations in the world. Our parents died when we were quite young: we were brought up by an uncle, who was a widowor; and to him were we indebted for the good education we received. He died suddenly ; and immediately after the funeral, Mr. Prestou announced himaclf to us as the person to whom we had thenceforth to look for supplies of money. It was by his desire that wo came up to London; and be regularly furnished us with an incom? until the period of his flight. Since then we have experi- enced troubles and afflictions 7 Here Christina stopped short and burst into tears. Lady Octavian Meredith was much affeottd by the orphan girl's narrative; and she spoke in a kind sovthing manner. Christina, when again able to speak, informed her ladyship that sho and her brother had resided eix months at Mrs. Macau- lay’s, and upwards of two months at Mrs. Gice's, —both of whom could speak as to their characters and conduct, $ “ Mra. Giles is a most reepeetable woman,” ob- served Zoe; “and I am very certain that she would not recommend you to me wniess perfectly assured that there waa propriety in so duing. 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