The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

.| « Give me the half-hour—and then 1 am at your | ! | |. | | | ] i @ H | { THE MYSTERIES OF THE COYET. oligo ——— panions courted. To abstract bimself from their company at an éarlyhour when what they called “the joviality af the evening” was only just he- ginoing—or to decline forming one of whatsoever party of pleasure might be in contemplation— would be to seal his own exclusion from those circles in future. What was Octavian to do? He folt that he was entering upon a dangerous eareer, and that his naturally good principles were alrgad} recejving certain shocks, each suc- cessive one being accompanied with lesa remorse- ful fechngs than the former; and he yearned to escape from these evil iniluentes. But how was he todo so? lis mind, having been chafed and disappointed, was too unsettled and restless to enablo hiff ¢o sit down quictly in the midst of books; and it was not to be cxpected that a young man just entering into life, would fly to some distant seclusion and turn hermit. On every occasion when intited to dine with the Duke of Marchmont or any other of his friwnda, Octa- vian would hesitate what answer tu send: he trombled to go, yet knew not how to refuse; and so he went, vowing it should bo for the last timo. But these “last times” really never reached the end, nor fulfilled their own meaning; and ti Lord Octavian Meredith --with the highest aspi- rations, and the best capacities fur doing hinself goud --- was boing gradually and impereeptibly sueked intv that vortex of dissipation which Loudon life affurde, and in which many a fine spirit, noble intelfect, aud maguanmmous heart is wrecked and engulfed. lt has been necessary to give the reader this long description of a young nobleman who ia des- tineid to play no inconsiderable part upon the stage of our story; and he it now was who was ushered into the Duke of Marchmont’s presence soun after Air. Armitage had taken his departure. “The very ono whom at the instant I most longed to sev!” exclaimed the Duke, cordially grasping Octavian’s hand. “I was thinking of gomg for a good long ride: for to tell you the truth, I drank somewhat too much champagne last night —~—-By the bye, you were not une of us at Lord Oxenden’s P” “* No—I was at a party at Mr. Armoytagoe's,” re- plied Meredith. “Ah! Armytage has just been here,” said the Dake. “I @aw bim driving away in his carriage,” ob- served Octavian, “and bowed to him. But 1 wish, my dear Duke, you could give me half-an-hour of serious conwersation—and then I will chevrfully accompany you in a ride.” “Serious cunversation, my dear Meredith f” ejaculated Marghmont, with a laugh. “Aro you really disposed to be serigus? Come, sliall we have luncheof? A glasa of huck and some soda- water will do us good.” “Not now, I pray you,” responded Meredith. bi ing.’ “ Be it ao-—the -hour of serious discourse,” said the Duke: and W&ygtretched himaelf indolently upon the sofa. “Nowe Octavian, proceed: I am all attention.” “You know, my dear Duke,” resumed the young nobleman, “ how I am situated with my father - =—a=penea ® a te gies een eine wy mbar 24 ee fen SN, EEE NUE oe taeda Ne~ © EG coe Oe Seeger oe pn oan ieee so boteniy Re Regine: Sigs oe il Vy v ~watreah es * Now, I willeut you short at once ” inteevitpied Marchmont. “Yor havo temporary niet. of a sum of soneyP Tell me without anothan: word how much it is—and my cheque-book ia aédead.” “No, my dear Duka—it is not tha,” et. Moredith, his looks expressing hia gratitude ‘fhe: the offer. “Nevertheless, I did come to saligid &. favour at your bsnda——It is that you will ude your interest to procure me a diplomatic pest. I. have an inclination to go abroad " “ Ridiculous, Octavian!” exclaimed the Duke: “we cannot spare you from amongst our own seb, But seriously apeaking, my dear frivnd, I have not the slightist interest with tho present Ministry, You know that 1 belong to tho good old school Toryism: I always vote against the Govornment on principle: and if there were a shoe-black’s, situation to be given away, I might vainly ask for even 80 paltry a post for a nominee of my own,” “I feared that it would be so,” observed Octa- vian, bis handsome countenance becoming deeply overshadowed, and surrow clouding his olear blue eyes, “But what menus this sudden resolve an your part?” inquired Marchmnont,—“ thig anzioty to get abruad P” “You have treated me with so nuch kindness, Y will be frank with you,” answered Qotavian. “My means ure Linted -1 am depondent on my father’s capricu—-[ have ao profession, no pusition --aud T long te improve my circumatauces in every respect.” *] understand,” said the Duke; “and it is natural enough. But, Ah! my dear fellow, a thought strikes me! bul a young nobleman of your personal a ance, fine intellect, {ascanating manuers+—Fou should marry !” “Ah, warry!” sual Octavian, with an ijl- repressed sigh. “I have uo fortune; and what fathor will consent to bestow his daughtoy, if sie be an heiress, upon ono av impoverished as I 7” “You under-rate your own merits,” observed the Dube of Marchiunont. “lo matriqounial aflairs :J.ere are guch things as cqguivalents. Sup- pose, fur msatanco, a young lady briuga you a decent iortune, and you comer upon her the rank and title which she possesses not——--” “T’ know that things are managed in this way,!? observed Octavian slowly: “but to toll you the fruth, it is a proceeding from which my pri recuis.”’ | | . “Pride!” echoed the Duke, “The only eaari- fice of pride that I can ace, would bo in the fact of you, « patrician, giving your hand to a ple. beian.” “You of all men to talk in this way!” Oa claimed Mervdith, in unfeigned astoniahment. "Ah! you laucy that 1 atm the proudest uf the proud P” observed the Duke, “ But I am looking to your interesta——~"? “And [ candidly confess th-t the sacrifice of pride to which I alluded, is not precisely wha . ) i) b] h ue ’ you are thinking of. J meant to say,” co , Lord Octaviarf, “ that I should not like to be gp much indebted to a wife for the enjoyment. of i F fortune. As for the distinctions between cians and plebeians, you know very wall that J amp nut such a Tory as yourself.” "ye You know JI do not faster 5 . ; a % "t ‘ ne 2 -— BD eau Eee fee Be ee COMIC OOO© (C meet <a eee ee Ely © Ge ft raieihineeve SS