The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

We ae Lord Octavian was therefore purposely out when Christina arrived at his mansion in the forenoon. He knew that Zoe had promised to take luncheon with her father that day, between one and two a’clock; and he caloulated that she would not of this uccasion take Christina with her, but | leave hey new friend to ecttle herself th chamber allotted to her, and become somewhat acquainted with the habitation which was Sw het home. Indeed, that Zoe would act thus, Oéta- vian had partially gleaned from a remark whtigh she made at the breakfaat-table. Thereford, whett Lord Octavian thought that his wife had gott® across the Park to her father at the appointed time, he returned to his own dwelling. Meanwhile Christina had been most cordially welcomed by Zoe, and was at once conducted by the amiable lady to the elegantly furnished apart- ment which she was to occupy. Moe at firat insisted that ono of the maid-servant# should un- pack Christina’s boxes and arrange ail her things for her in the wardrobe and drawers: but Mite Ashton was not tho being to assume thé aire of # fine lady, when conscious of her own dependent position; and Zoe was compelled to let het have her own way in thia respect. Christina's eonduct enhanced her considerably in the “good which Lady Octavian Meredith had alreafly her. When Miss Ashton had finished hor Iittle arrangements in her own chamber, she and Zoo passed an hour or two if agteoable conversatién ; and shortly after one o’éloek the lédy said, “TI ath now goitg to leave you #6 amuse yourtelf until threo or four. I have ptomised to visit my father, who hag been much chagrined by the heavy loss he sustained through thataame Mr. Preston whose conduct was #0 distreating to yourself. I shall not therefore propose to take you with me to-day ; but on another occasion shall be proud and happy to introduce you to Mr. Armytage.” Zoe act out on her vimt; and Christina remained alone in the drawing-room. She practised on tho splendid piano-forte; ard finding that tho instru- ment was a magnificent one, sho derived a apecica of guthusiastic inspiration from the flow of- that harmony which she could thu’ modulate to gran- dour or to pathos beneath hor delicate fingers. She sang beautifully, and had a sweet melodious voice: so that having tested the capacitics of the instrument, she presently began to accompany herself in sume air. ion med But scarcely had she commenced thé aofig, when Lord Octavian Mercdith reached the dtuwing- room door. Those strains floated of his éara-—he recognised Cliristina’s voice--he # bt Haten. Himself passionately fond of musts, 15 Wad With a growing rapture that he thus dratih i deli- gious sounds, in which the most exqiilité vocal and instrumental harmonies were blended. His rapture amounted almost to an eceticy: Hi} pulses thrilled with delight. it appeared as if had beon auddenly borne to the very thretthold of Ely- ium itself. Noiselessly he turned the handle of the door: as gently and cautiously did he ope i and as he looked ip, he beheld Christiti® seated the piano, her back towards nm. She, totally tid- conscious of his presence-—totally unauspicious of the opeuing of the door--continued her music and her delicious warbling, all tue ecstatic effects of Yi THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. | thodelled was it ! which were enhanced in Lord Octavian’s estima- tion, now that he was erabled to contemplate her sylphid figure as she was seated there. Her raven tresses were floating over her shoulders: every now wit then he caught a vanishing glimpse of her Steel Grecian profile ;—every gesture and move- @W her part eeemed characterized by grace e; and fairer than the piano’s ivory hope sfitinselves, were the delicate hands that puseed over them. Now did those sweetly tapered finger’ appear to ekip as itGwere with almuat light#ing celerity from note to note: now they for a few seconds on some particular keys suWhile the voice of song continued to blend in fétishing harmony with the music which those re made. And that shape toe—how beautifully Even if he had never seen ber dotitbWkates before, Moredith could have staked hi¥ etiftente that the loveliest face must belong to so chatifitttg & figure. The song ceased—the last sounds of tt music were vibrating tremulously throug the apartment as Octavian closed the door, and Chriethie started up from her seat. oy “ My, Porettal,” she exclaimed, her first feeling being one of grateful joy, though mingled with surprisé thus to encounter the chivalrous indivi- dual who had perilled his life in a duel for her sake. Octaviah sdvatteed—took her hand—and as he pressed it wartily, the rapture of his feelings con- tinued to pefitidate the looks with which ho gay-d upon Chiistind. There was nothing insolent in those regatds—tio libertine effrontery to shock her pure mind—but nevertheless a dogree of fervid ad- - miration Which she tould tot possibly help observ- ing, and Which madé her withdraw her hand some- whet abtupily as the colour mourited to her checks and her #yés were cast down. “ Mies Ashton,” said Octavian, “you have de- hghted the with your musical skill—but may I add, still tore with the exquisite beauty of your voice P”’ . This ¢ompliment, delivered in fones that were almost aa impassioned as Oetavian’s looks, com- pleted Christind’s confusion : the crimaon deepened on her ¢hdeks—and her sweet black eyes, which she had fot a moment saived again, were as rapidly bent dowfi once mofe, “I hops that J tave dot offended you,” said Octavias, ih & doft Voice: “hot for worlds would I do so?! “Ob, f heli¢ve you, eit!” exclaimed Christina. with aftlets warmth: for it immediately struck het Ghit the wan who had rescued her from insult, and tuid #téked his life as the consequence, could not pusdihty mesh himeelf to insult her. “But frankly if)” she added, now looking at him with the fall #t@enuousness of her large clear dark eyes —and éhé dmiled modestly too as she thus spoke, revegiihg decth white as oriental pearls,—“ I am so Kittle Gdeustomed to be complimented that per- hant I ment—— *Ro—set too mudi!” ejaculated Octavian : And it was on the very tip of his tongue to add, “JT adore you a8 you are! your very innocence is the greatest of all your charms!”—but with a» sudden effort he held the words back ; and taking her hand, conducted her to a seat. “ Neither Lot) nor Lady Octavian Meredith are NOG dettay too much awkward embarrass- . 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