The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

106 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 o’clock ; and he calculated that she would not on this uccasion take Christina with her, but would leave her new friend to settle herself in the chamber allotted to her, and become somewhat acquainted with the habitation which was now her home. Indeed, that Zoe would act thus, Octa- vian had partially gleaned from a remark which she made at the breakfast-table. Therefore, when Lord Octavian thought that his wife had gone 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. Zoe at first insisted that one of the maid-servants should un- pack Christina’s boxes and arrange all her things for her in the wardrobe ahd drawers: but Miss Ashton was not the being to assume the airs of a fine lady, when conscious of her own dependent position; and Zoe was compelled to let her have her own way in this respect. Christina’s conduct enhanced her considerably in the good gpinion which Lady Octavian Meredith had already formed of her. | ‘When Miss Ashton had finished her little arrangements in her own chamber, she and Zoe an hour or two in agreeable conversation ; and shortly after one o’clock the lady said, “I am now going to leave you to amuse yourself until three or four. I have promised to visit my father, who has been much chagrined by the heavy loss he sustained through that same Mr. Preston whose conduct was eo distressing 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 sct out on her visit; and Christina remained alone in the drawing-room. She practised on the splendid piano-forte; and finding that the instrd- ment was a magnificent one, she derived a of enthusiastic inspiration from the flow of that harmony which she could thus modulate to gran- deur or to pathos beneath her delicate fingers. She sang beautifully, and had a sweet melodious voice: so that having tested the capacities of the instrument, she presently began to accompany herself in some air. But scarcely had she commenced the song, when Lord Octavian Meredith reached drawing- room door. Those strains floated on hig ears—he recognised Christina’s voice—he stopped to listen. Himself passionately fond of music, it was with a growing rapture that he thus drank in those deli- cious sounds, in which the most exquisite vocal and instrumental harmonies were blended. His rapture amounted almost to an ecstacy: his pulses thrilled with delight: it appeared as if he had been suddenly borne to the very threshold of Ely- sium iteelf. Noiselessly he turned the handle of the door: as gently and cautiously did he open it ; and as he looked in, he beheld Christina seated at the piano, her back towards him. §8he, totally un- conscious of his presence—totally unsuspicious of the opening of the door—continued her music and her delicious warbling, all the ecstatic effects of THE MYSTERIES OF THE OOURT. which were enhanced in Lord Octavian’s estima- tion, now that be was enabled to contemplate her sylphid figure as she was seated there. Her raven treases were floating over her shoulders: every now and then he caught a vanishing glimpse of her faultless Grecian profile ;—every gesture and move- ment on her part seemed characterized by grace and elegance; and fairer than the piano’s ivory keys themselves, were the delicate hands that passed oyer them. Now did those sweetly tapered fingers appear to skip as it were with almost lightning: celerity from note to note: now they rested for a few seconds on some particular keys —while the voice of song continued to blend in ravishing harmony with the music which those fingers made. And that shape too—how beautifully modelled was it! Even if he had never seen her countenance before, Meredith could have staked his existence that the loveliest face must belong to so charming a figure. The song ceased—the last sounds of the music were vibrating tremulously through the apartment as Octavian closed the door, and Christina started up from her seat. “ Mr. Percival,” she exclaimed, her first feeling being one of grateful joy, though mingled with surprise thus to encounter the chivalrous indivi- dual who had perilled his life in a duel for her sake. Octavian advanced—took her hand—and as he pressed it warmly, the rapture of his feelings con- tinued to permeate the looks with which he gased upon Christina. There was nothing insolent in those regards—no libertine effrontery to shock her pure mind—but nevertheless a degree of fervid ad- miration which she could not possibly help observ- ing, and which made her withdraw her hand some- what abruptly as the colour mounted to her cheeks and her eyes were cast down. “ Miss Ashton,” said Octavian, “you have de- lighted me with you musical skill—but may I add, still more with the exquisite beauty of your voice P” This compliment, delivered in tones that were almost as impassioned as Octavian’s looks, com- pleted Christina’s confusion: the crimeon deepened on her cheeks—and her sweet black eyes, which she had for a moment raised again, were as rapidly bent down once more. “I hope that I have not offended you,” said Octavian, in a soft voice: “not for worlds would I do so!” . “Oh, I believe you, sir!” exclaimed Christina with artless warmth: for it immediately struck her that the man who had rescued her from insult, and had risked his life as the consequence, could not possibly mean himeelf toinsult her. “ But frankly speaking,” she added, now looking at him with the full ingenuousness of her large clear dark eyes —and she smiled modestly too as sho thus spoke, revealing teeth white as oriental pearls,—“I am so little accustomed to be complimented that per- haps I betray too much awkward embarrass- ment———”’ “ No—not too much!” ejaculated Octavian : and it was on the very tip of his tongue to add, “T adore you as you are! your very innovence is the greatest of all your charms!”—but with a -sudder effort he held the words back ; and taking her hand, conducted her to a seat. - “Neither Lord nor Lady Octavian Meredith are (COLL (C DOO (GO)