The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT door of a house, of very genteel appearance, though To her inquiry whether Lady Octavian Mere- dith was at home and could be seen at such an early hour in the forenoon, she received an affirma- tive response—and was at once conducted to s parlour where Zoe, in a morning deshabillée, was seated upon a sofa. Christina was already pre- possessed, by what Mrs. Giles had said, in favour of Lady Octavian Meredith: but her good opinion was enhanced at the very first glance which she flung upon Mr. Armytage’s daughter. It was not so much that the exquisite beauty of Zoe interested the young girl, as that the goodness 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 if was in a light morning garb: her hair, without any ornament, showered in ringlets upon her shoulders; and i¢ was with a gracious encouraging smnile that Zoe, on learning Christina’s business, bade her sit down. . a Lady Octavian Meredith herself was struck with the extraordinary beauty of Christina—a beauty which was in such perfect contrast with her own, —inasmuch as Miss Ashton’s hair and eyes were dark, while those of her ladyship were of g light angelic style. But it would have been difficult for an observer to decide which was the more beauti- ful of the two—although perhaps Christing might have carried off the palm. " There was no shade of jealousy—no, not even the slightest tinge thereof, in Zoe’s disposition : and therefore when Miss Ashton announced thg object of her visit, it did not for a single momen occur to Lady Octavian Meredith that there migh possibly be some da; in introducing 49 fran- scendingly beautiful a creature into the . Be- sides, in the same way that Christina wag inter- ested by Zoo's appearance—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 e suitable candidate for the position she had come see “It is perfectly true,” said Zog, in eet musical voice, “that I wish to ster ine engagement with a young lady who will live with me as a friend :”—for she could not utter the word companion, which in that particular sense might convey the offensive significancy of a toady. “Lord Octavian Meredith is, as a matter of course, frequently out: it is natural that he should seck those companions with whom his position enables him to associate; and I occasionally feel myself somewhat dull and lonely. You are aware that in what is called the fashionable world, visits are not paid until late in the afternoon, and then they are mere flying onee—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 friendship of a young lady of amiable manners, of intellectual acquirements, and of certain accom- plishments. She may rely upon kind treatment: she shall never find herself in a false positi shall be as one of the family—subject to no re- straint nor coercion—and to be regarded as on @ perfect equality with myself. I have been thus candid and frank—thus lengthy likewise in my explanations, so that you may at once understand, Miss Ashton, my requirement and all ite circum- stances.” utterly ignorant of the acquaintance of her hus- band with Christina—equaly ynaware of the ad- venture in the Park nine weeks back—equally unaware also of the duel which had followed. On the other hand, Christina wag ag completely igno- rant that accident had brought her to the house belonging to him whom she only knew as Mr. Percival—and of course equally ignorant that she was in the presence of that individual's wife. “J thank your ladyship,.’ answered Miss Ashton, “for the explanations you have given me; and I fully appreciate the deli terms in which they have been conveyed. equal frankness will I lace before your jadys e humble claims hich J havg fo submit (% your notice. I was well educated, and was Satted in séme few accomplishmenty—though ¢ $m pof yain enough to say that [ possesg gny. f sm of music—I love drawtng in wafer colours oF wifi pencil—I am equally attsthed {o's certain shylg Be enting chiefly history, piogrs phy, ‘a of travel, and have every. wee such instructive wofks. I have to rapes myself egreeabl o and usckgit copfident y ddd ‘thd I shall repay Bit whatgoeyey kindness is shown me.° gomewhat t peinfal one. I have g “br and we Grphans. We are likewise fy d I may itude hich we previously possessed—f] allude fo the gud flight of a person who lived ai ae gide of the Regent's Park——— “Do you mean Mr. Preston g% with some degree of surprise. “The same, my lady,” ansy “And jt was my own father meLedis. rejoined Zoe, “ who first digrovered fhat man’s d linquencies—and I regref fo gay fpat he too has suffered by them. Is he g relation of yours ?” “Ob, po, my Igdy |” responded Christina: “we have nof to our knowledge any relations in the world. Qur parents died when we were quite young: we were brought up byan uncle, who was @ widower; and to him were we indebted for the good education we received. He died suddenly; announced himself to us as the person to whom we had thenceforth to look for supplies of money. Is was by his desire that we came up 40 London ; and Be saiey Secelhed 9 with os ears wate ie period of his flight. Since then we have experi- Here Christina stopped shor} gpd burst into tears. Lady Octayian Meredith wag much affected by the orphan girl’s narrative; and she spoke in e kind soothing manner. Christina, when again able to speak, informed her ladyship that she and her brother had resided six months at Mrs. Macau- lay’s, and upwards of two months at Mrs. Gilee’s, —both of whom could speak as to their characters and conduct. “ Mrs. Giles is a most respectable woman,” ob- eerved Zoe; “and I am very certain that she would not recommend you to me unless perfectly (COLL (C DOO Col