The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

, ee ee ee I | received no answer to bie advertisement. Tie on- | ded yer ~/aGe -_ 168 which has something 0 msthetic in ite nature—eo ethereal in ite eseence—eo sublimsated in its con- texture, that it can be explained in no terms falling ahort of those which would depict it as the lost elysium of the soul—the veritable paradise of feel- ing whose sense died out of the hearts of our first parents at the same time that the spell of their immortality was broken. | Obristien could net understand the footing on which Miss Vincent was dwelling beneath the Ohubbe’ roof. She-was treated with more or less respect, especially hy Mr. Chubb, who invariably called her “Misa” when be spoke to her: and it was only when Mrs, Chubb waa in an ill-humour about anything, that she addressed herself in rather irritable terms to the young lady—as indeed she was wont to do towards any one else who came in her way. Christian did not therefore think that Isabella was living there in the light of s dependant : the only conjecture be oonld form, was that she paid for ber board and lodging, though not to an amount which rendered the Chubbs so extremely anxious to keep her that their civility became down- right servile. In her manner she was diffident and retiring, but not actually reserved- much less awkward or etnbarrassed : she spoke but little—yet when she did spesk, it wee with a mild and lady- like affability, Her voice wag singulafly sweet and melodious, ‘with a tinge of plaintiveness in its tonea: her language was well chusen—her remarke were characterised by intelligence. That she had been well educated, waa evident,—as likewise that ehe was weoil-bred and well brought up; and ail the usages of good suciety were familinr to her. How came she, then, in her present position P—bad she no relatives to take charge of her—no friends of a better order than those in whose care Christian found bherP All these were mysteries which .he could not penetrate, and concerning which he dared scarcely ask on the next cocasion that he found himaelf alone with either Mr. or Mrs. Chubb, Four or five days passed; and Obristian oc- casionally met the beautiful Isabella upon the stairs. She always responded to his passing re- marke with that mild affability which we have just nutided ; but he found no opportunity to lead ber into a protradted conversation. She never etirred out of the house except when accompaniedsby Mra. Chubb :--for the greater part of the day ehe kept her own chamber; eormetimea she sat in the front parlour down stairs—and was then for the moat part occupied in reading or working. Christian felt assured that she was not happy, though she might endeavour to resign hereelf to her lot, He was alvo convinced that thers must-be some strange | mystery with regard to this beautiful créature; and he longed to fathom it,—not throagh any im- pertinent curiosity, bus because hw had’ become so ddaply interested in her—aso profoundly ¢ ured of her! Sho wae a lovely myth; and often and often did Christian catch himeelf sighing: occa- sionally too did a tear trickle down hia cheels as he said to himeelf, ‘She is nut happy; and it is not given to me to insure her felicity. Ob, to vbtain her confidence, and to be permitted to breathe the languege of solace and sympathy in hor ears }’” The week was passing @way; and Chriatian had EQ Gggem Egan mgigrerty Rep QE 2a we OA gtk aw ® Pe ee ee Ae eee 2g. SP ee SER es ere | prolongi which abeltered the THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. deavoured to make himself believe that he was sorry for thie delay in obtaining another situation s but if was not so easy to atrive with conscientious- nese at that belief. Indeed, if the trath be told, we think it must be admitted that Christian was rather giad than otherwise at having an excuse for ng his residence beneath the same roof of his growing love. When he ssw hip sister he spoke to ber about Jsabelia Vincent; and he asked Christina if she would come and call upon the young lady, provided the latter would consent to receive the visit? Christina, as the reader is aware, was always ready to do anything that lay in hér power to serve her brother or to please him; and she cheerfully responded in the affirmative. , © Now,” thought Christian to himself, “there will be an opportunity of cultivating a better ac- quaintance with the charming but mysterious Isabella !” Accordingly, in the afternoon of that very same day on which he had thus spoken to his sister, our young hero proceeded to the Obubbs’ parlour at a moment when he knew that Miss Vincent was there alone. He knocked at the door: her awcet voice bade him enter; and it struck him that the soft tint of the rose deepened slightly upon her cheeks when her eyes encountered his own. The usual compliments were exchanged; and then Christian, mustering up all his courage, said to the young lady, “I hope you will not think I am taking s very great liberty-——but*but--I have spoken of you to my sister, who lives with Lady Octavian Meredith——Christina ie a sweet ami- able girl—and if you will grant your assent, 1¢ will afford me the utmost pleasure to introduce her tu you.” The transitions of Isabella's beautiful counte- nance expressed a variety of feelings as our hero thus addressed her; and 16 was the fear of either giving offence, or of proposing something which was unwelcome, that made him hesitate as he had done. For an instant there was gratitude de- pioted in Isabella's look: then it changed into mournfuiness: then she flung a quick glance to- wards the doar, as if fearful that thia conversation might be overheard: then she turned her eyes again on Christian with a saddening gaze; and then she bent them downward—and he thought that the faintest, gentlest sound of a subdued sigh was wafted to his cars. “ Christina,” he said, hesitatingly and tremu- lously, “ would be rejoiced to visit you and to form your acquaintance.” “T take it as very kindly meant, Mr. Ashton,” answered Isabelle, whose accents were likewise tremulous, notwithstanding her visible endeavours to speak firmly and to hide whatsoever - emotions were struggling in her bosom. “Indeed, I feel grateful —— but— but” and here she again glanced towards the door—“I am not allowed to receive any visits, nor to form any friendships.” “Good heavens!” exclaimed Christian, aston. ished and indignant: “are you the victim of a tyranny so stern as this?’ ° “ Hush | for heaven's sake, hush !"" said Isabella, glancing with renewed apprehension towards the. door: and then, as if no longer able to restrain the emotions which were ayitating within, ele hurat iato tears. d “nm r= -- ewe eee OE CONMUC | ae | NOG SS CO