The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 238: what you’re looking at

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

a ONTO THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. nce I ER TE EE ET a I EE He an wt ih | Hl} | IH \ ie i at —— . ar = —— ib r r y — a Pe ! z J a ie , - - a : - = , az = ' ° = . ie oF 225 fneepriee e zi WM win i found Christina still seated by her side, and saw by the tray which by accident was not as yet re- moved, that our heroine had dined there, she took her hand—drew her gently down towards her— and circling the young girl’s neck with her arms, strained her to her bosom. She could not at first find words wherewith to express all her gratitude : but presently she burst into tears. These relieved her surcharged heart; and then she murmured forth in a broken voice her thanks for all Chris- tina’s kindness. Lord Octavian now entered the room to make inquiries concerning his wife; and Zoe, smiling up at him with an amiable sweetness, assured him in a low plaintive voice that she should be better soon. He bent down to kiss her—and she em- braced him fervently. Octavian spoke of having a nurse to sit up with her ladyship: but Christina et once said in a voice, the firmness of which No. 20.—FOURTH SERIES. showed that she would take no refusal, my duty—and I intend to discharge it.” Zoe remonstrated with all that sweetness which was natural to her, and which now seemed more than ever amiable, invested as it was with the serene but plaintive melancholy that was upon her: but Christina was not to be dissuaded. Octavian withdrew; and our young heroine re- mained to keep the vigil by Zoe’s bedside. On the following day the physician discovered symptoms of fever on the part of his patient : they progressed rapidly—and in a few hours Zoe was seriously ill. During the night she became de- lirious, giving utterance to incoherent things, none of which however had any particular significancy. Christina remained in faithful attendance upon her,—never once closing her own eyes the entire night. For ten days did the dangerous period of Lady Octavian Meredith’s illness last ; and loomed “That is (CO an (G DOO (CO