The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

® o @ 99 Oey 6 eee ee oe om + eee eee eee oe ary Ce > @ ED eee, etry, rer-a @-oeo @ 118 and your sister had been performing a gene- act you of charity towards that poor crea- rous ture——"" “Whose rapid pathway to the grave was smoothed by your bounties,” added Christian, who experienced an illimitable ie admiration for the cha- racter of Mr. Redcliffe. “And where are you living now?” inquired this gentleman, with his characteristic abruptness. ‘‘ How is your amiable sister? I have thought of you both sometimes ; and indeed have been going to ask Mre. Macaulay ing you—but some- ng has aways occurred to puf it out of my aT am ul, ar,” answered Christian, “to Idrn that my sister and myself have enjoyed your consideration. Christina is living with Lady Octa- vian Meredith——” “Ah, then you no longer dwell together—you and your sister?” exclaimed Mr. Redcliffe, now rurveying the youth with an increasing interest. “No, sir; circumstances compelled us to sepa- rate. We have to earn our own living: but, thank heaven! my sister is comfortably provided for.” “ And you P” asked Redcliffe. — “Iam for the present private secretary to the Duke of Marchmont,” respo Christian. “Ah!” ejaculated Mr. Redcliffe: and then he hastily obeerved, “ But why do you speak as if your sister only was comfortably situated, and you were not? Is it because you feel your present position to be a mere temporary one ?”’ “Yos, sir : But then Christian stopped short, sorry even that he had said so much. “Has the Duke of Marchmont cause to be diseatisGed with you? has he given you notice to leave him P” “Qh, no, sir!” exclaimed Christian, speaking with a sort of ardour, in the consciousness that he was giving complete satisfaction to his ducal em- ployer, and that the tenure of his office depended entirely upon himeelf. “Perhaps you “are dissatisfied with your situa- tion *” said Mr. Redcliffe inquiringly: and Chris- tiast perceived that his dark eyes were fixed keenly him. “ Frankly speaking, sir,” responded the youth, “IT am not well pleased with the post which I occupy: and though fur a time i may keep 1t-——-..."" But here again he stopped suddenly short, as the idea flashed to him that gossibly Mr. Redcliffe might be acquainted with the Duke—in which case it would be the height of imprudence for bita (Christian) to enter into any explanations with regard tu tle puint whereyn he bad begun to twuch. “You need not be afraid to speak frankly and candidly to me,” ubserved Redcliffe, who scemed at once to fathom the motive of the yuuth’s hesitation. “I have not the slightest acquaintance with the Duke of Marchmout; snd even if it were ubherwise, I should not betray anything that you might in confidence revval to me. J experience un interest in yuu; and if you think fit to regard we as a friend, you shall find me deserving of the title. MW I ronrbugber uber giyht I have learnt that you and your sister are twins, and that you are orphans: your own words just now gave me to & % > ae qwe=a oo — ee icy THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. understand that you are both dependent on your- selves for your support. In this case you may need the advice of a friend, even if at the moment ou require no more substantial succour: but both should be cheerfully given by me.” Christian expressed his gratitude for these as- surances; and he experienced a profound pleasure at thus becoming the object of proffered friendship on the part of one whose character he already so mach admired. “Think not, young gentleman,” continued Mr. Redcliffe, “that I am inspired by any impertinent curiosity in seeking your confidence —— “Oh. no, sir! Not for a moment,” exclaimed Christian, “could I entertain an idea so injurious towards you !” “ Listen,” proceeded Redcliffe. “A youth of your ege—thrown upon his own resources, and abroad as it were in the wide world—mu# in- evitably on various occasions need suitable counsel and advice from older and more experienced heads. If I err not, you are at this present moment m some such position. Your sister is well provided for—and I rejoice to hear it: but you yourself appear to be less satisfactorily situated. In a word, you are not happy at the Duke of March- mont’s: or else so.nething has occurred-———” “Something has indeed occurred,” said Christian, in a mournful voice: and after a few instants’ reflection, he added slowly and thoughtfully, “ Yes —lI do indeed require the counsel of some une who is enabled to give it. I feel that I am placed in a situation of considerable embarrassment — that I have a duty to perform towards an inno- cent lady whose destruction is resolved upon— but yet that in the performance of this duty I must play the hypocrite——” “All this, Christian Ashton, is most serious,” obeerved Mr. Redcliffe. “ Let us walk to a more secluded place where we can converse together. I see that you will give me your confidence; and again I assure you that you shall never repent it.” Mr. Redcliffe and the youth di away together from the neighbourhood of Park Lane where their encounter had taken place; and they rambled slowly across the wide open field of the Park. During this walk Christian explained to Mr. Redcliffe how he had happened to fall asleep in the library on the preceding night—how he had overheard the conversation between the Duke of Marchmont and the Hon. Mr. Stanhope—how, after seriuus deliberation with himself, he had resolved to dissemble his looks in the presence of his Grace, and retain his situation in the hope of frustratinz the diabolical echeme which had been initiated against the Duchess—but how when once this vljcet should have been achieved, he was de- termiued to seek his livelihood elsewhere. Mr. Redcliffe listened 1a profuund silence. He spuke uct « single sylluble thruughout Christian's narrative: he walked slowly by the youth’s side, with his eyes bent down ;—and when the tale was ended, upwards of a minute elapeed ere he breathed a word of comment. “This is indeed most serious,” at length ob. served Mr. Redcliffe, speaking slowly and delibe- rately, and also in subdued accents. which you have entertained in connexion there- with, are all just and intelligent. You casinot "= QGeevunm=s- « ~vePare o-oo wD -eeveru-~w “The views — é y ew eee 42 oj =-40 . @ ee «Gee = eee — eS SD eo PUD eS a 7 Le, ae te a ep —~CEEERee EE ne re 2 ww - eww. ~~ ee ee eee eee, ole oe 2 eee eee ee @ ou Gea. - 2 Ga (SOL DOO Col