The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT, at home,” said Christine. little thinking that she was addressing one of those of whom she spoke. Her ladysbip will not return for two hours " « But Lord Octavian himself is in the house,” ‘J will ring and inquire,” said Christina: and she was rising from her seat, when the expression of Meredith’s countenance strugk her as so pecu- liar that she atopped short. ‘*No— Miss Agittdn,” he said, “you need not make any such inquiry. Pardon me for a little deceit which was practised on you—forgiye me— listen to me———” “Ah!” ejaculated Christina, with a faint shriek : but instantaneously recovering herself, she said somewhat coldly, “ You, then, are Lord Octavian Meredith P” “T am,” he responded. “ Pray resume your seat—and suffer me to give you those explanations which are requisite.” Christina hesitated. There was in her mind a vague sense of impropriety in remaining alone ‘with the young nobleman who had deceived her ; and yet she felt that it was a duty both to herself and to him to listen to whatsoever he might have to say. She accordingly sat down again—but spoke not a word; and her look was still cold, but with a certain tremulousness in if. “You will remember, Miss Ashton,” proceeded gMeredith, speaking in the most respectful tone, and with a corresponding look—for he felt that he had an exceedingly diffcult part to perform,— “you will remember that on the day I bad the satisfaction of rendering you a trifling service, I penetrated your motives in asking my name. You saw that a duel was probable—nay, more, thet it was inevitable; and with the most generous of purposes you intended to give information to a magistrate. But my honour was at stake; and I wags bound to meet that antegonist whom circum- stances had suddenly raised up. Therefore, to prevent your generous intentions from being car- ried out, I gave a false name 7 “True!” murmured Christina, as all the cir- cumstances flashed vividly back to her mind. “That duel,’ continued Meredith, “took place, as you are aware: but as no injury wns the result, it was so completcly hushed up that it never reached Lady Octavian’s ears. I trust to your generosity that it shall continue @ secret in respect her. But to continue my explanations. I promised you, Miss Ashton, that you should be made acquainted with the result of that duel— that if 1 fell, my second should wait upon you with the intclligence—but that if I escaped unhurt, I would pergpnaly call to convince you of my safety. did catl—I sont up the name by which %ou already knew me: it was however my inten- tion to feveal myself fully to your knowledge. But when I beheld the simple tastes and pursuite of your brotber and yourself—pardon me fur thus speaking—I thought that the frank and affabie manner in which I was received, and the friendly feoling whith your brother spevially exhibited to- wards me, might receige a check if 1 proclaimed myself to be of titled rank. In my estimation that rank is nothing : but I know fall well that as the world , a8 society is constituted, and as prejudices have their influence, an aristocratic name has a certain prestige-——In a word, I saw ns enough of you both to wish to become your § Kids and | feared that as Lord Octavian Waredtih: might not experience the same frank and ow hearted reception which was already Mr, Percival.” ‘ Meredith ceased: but Christina did not immas distely answer him. As a matter of course the explanation was entirely satisfactory up to the. point where it treated of tho vigit to the lodgings after the dual: but from that point to the and it was lecs satisfactory. Miss Ashton was too arte less, ingenuous, and unsophisticated herself, to penetrate the subtiotios of the human soul: but on the other hand, she was too intelligent and right. ; minded not to entertain a certain iniagiving as to the young sobleman’s complote self-exoulpation. A vague idea that the latter portion of his speech had eome sophistry in it, floated in her imagina- tion: but yef she could scarcely explain the feel. ing to herself—from the simple reason that she could not possibly suppose Moredith to have been smitten with her beauty. “ My lord,” she at length said, speaking gravely and seriously, “I thank you for the explanations which you have given me: but I do not age how it is possible fer me to withhold from her ladyahip the circumstance that we have met before,” “You have not as yet uttered a word to Zoe about that duel P” inquired Octavian hastily, “1 know you did not yeaterday—but to-day ?” , “T have never spokon of it to a sowl exeept my brother,” responded Obristina. “ But [ really cannot comprehend, my lord, wherefore you should object to her ladyship becoming acquainted with a generous deed which you performed. The danger, thank heaven ! has long been over-————” “Miss Ashton,” interrupted Meredith, “ your own good sense will tell you that i¢ cam bo no wel- come intelligence for a wife to learn that her hus. band has for more than two months treasured up a secret froin her. Proclaim the truth, if you will, to Zoe—but pardon me for saying that you will be guilty of an act of unkindness towards myvelf, inasmuch aa my wife would never put confidenos in me ayain. If E happened to rise at an earlier hour thar usual in the morning—or if 1 wete de- tained out later than is my wont at night—she would torture horself with all possible anxiotics— she w6uld picture to herself her husband involved in some cruel dilemma the imrminence of which he dad carcfully concealed from her—~-~” . “Yos, my lord,” interrupted Christina; “all that you say is but too true. Nevorthelens, I feel that [ cannot be guilty of a deveption towards au amiable lady who has received me in the kindest manner-———-No, I cannot! I will asy nothing of past events: but I will withdraw from the house at once. Yes---whatsoever constraction may be put on this step 7 “Miss Ashton,” exclaimed Octavian Meredith, “J would rather ten thousand times that you should tell Zoe ev ing! What could ahe pos. mibly think 4f you withdrew yourself thus abruptly P She would either imagine that you bad received some insult from me, and were ton generous to mention it; ‘or on the other hand that you .were Farha Se 4 Ln it Po i , “ . ‘4 rt I 4 ? p w ¥ ri # . 4 ? ' i vk ; HY 4 b | an rf 1+ ay tS i - Ayal eonscious of some waworthiness of your ows which - you were afraid of transjiring. Againet the for- mer suspicion how could I possibly vindicate my- _ self when all appearances world be in my dus NOG (C SS