The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 239: what you’re looking at

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

times she appeared to be hovering upon the very verge of the grave. The physician, on the third evening, had insisted upon having a nurse: never- theless Christina would not abandon her friend— but remained with her night and day,—recruiting however her own strength by lying down for a few | hours in a bed which she caused to be prepared in the same room for the purpose. With her own hand she administered all Zoe's medicine—but usurping this duty with such sweetness of manner and with so much amiability that the old nares, though belonging to a class amasingly jealous of their prerogatives, could not find it in her heart to be offended. Nor throughous all this time, did Christina once incur the chance of finding herself alone with Lord Octavian. Oocasionally, when his visits were paid to his sick wife’s chamber, the nurse was absent—Zoe was unconscious of what was passing sround her—and thus it may be said that he and Christing were virtually alone. But then she would sit on the opposite side of the couch from that where he placed himself; and half concealed by the curtain, she would not once meet his gaze. When he spoke to her—whish was in the seme manner of friendly courtesy as was formally wont to mark his bearing—she on her side responded with equal courtesy, but gave no encouragement for a protracted conversation. Thus did the time pase; and on the twelfth day after the accident, the physician pronounced Lady Octavian Meredith to be out of danger. She now became conscious of what was ing around; and from the lips of both the physician and the nuree, she learnt how Ohristine had affectionately and tenderly ministered unto her during her severe iliness. Indeed the medical man, who was generous hearted and conscientious, hesitated not to give Zoe the assurance that she owed her life to Miss Ashton,—obeerving that though the physician may prescribe, and though the pectinisry position of the patient may be such as to ensure every comf yet that there is something whieh professional skill and whieh no wealth can purchase —namely, the unwearied end tender ministration of a devoted friend. In Christina hed Zoe pos sessed such a friend; and as the sick lady wound her arms about our heroine’s neck, she murmur- ingly said, “Christina —dearest Christina, you have been to me as a sister. Oh, you know not how I love you |” Let us suppose another fortnight passed. It was now verging towards the end of April; and on a bright beautiful day, Zoe was reclining upon the sofa in the drawing-room, enveloped in a wrapper —etill pale and feeble—but completely out of dan- ger, and with every prospect, aceording to the physician’s declaration, of a speedy convalescence. One of the casoments was open; and the genial air, in which the freshness of Spring mingled with the warmth of approaching Summer, was wafted into the room. Christina sat near the invalid: her cheeks were also pale—for she had not once issued from the dwelling since the return after the accident. Octavian was out; and the two young ladies were alone together. A newspaper lay upon the table; and during a pause im the conversation—for Zoe was prohibited from speaking too much—Christina took up the journal. It was more @ mechanical action than a voluntary one-—for her thoughts were pre- manner her eyes moved slowly over the columns of the front page. But all in a moment something appeared to rivet her gase and concentrate her thoughts: for she gave a start like that of one who suddenly discovers an object which has been sought after. Then she appeared to be studying with profound attention the particular passage, para- graph, or whatever it might be, which had thus so abruptly claimed her interest. Zoe—who had her regards settled in plaintive and tender contempla- tion of Christina’s beautiful countenance—noticed that start, and observed likewise the deep study which followed is, A minute or two elapsed in continued silenge; and then Zoe said in a soft gentle voice, “ is it, dear Christina, that eo interests you P’’ Our heroine again started, as if aroused from @ reverie; and she flung a half-timid, half- deprecating look upon Lady Octavian Meredith, as if she feared for a moment to give such ex- planation as the question requi But then suddenly recovering her self-possession, she aa- swered with a sweetness singularly blended with firmness, * Here ig an castern lady of rank who is advertising for a companion, who must certain qualifications, all of which are 7 “ Aod wherefore, my dear Christina,” inquired Zoe, & strange expression for 9 moment flitting over her countenance,-—“ why does that edvertie- ment interest you so much ¢ “ Because— my dear friend—my kind benefactress—-my own sweet Zoe,” was O s tremulously given Fesponse, “tho advertisement még. to suit hd oP Octavian Meredith did not immediately make any angweri phe however gazed earnestly upon Christina's sountenance, as if to read {nto the very depths of her soul : amiable were notwit fraught with an ineffable sweetness and a tenderness that was et the same time full of affection, surprise, and nee, “And you will leave me, Christina?” she at length said, but in a voice so low that it was only audible through ite tremulous clearness. “Yea, dearest Zoe,” answered Christina, “I shall seek this situation :”—and then she averted her countenance to conceal the tears that were trickling down it. She said not another word: she volunteered not another syllable of explanation. What more in- deed could she say? To enter into particulars was impossible; and she would much rather lie under the imputation of deep ingratitude —painful though such an imputation were—than be guilty of the far blacker and perhaps more hidden in- gratitude of remaining beneath that roof to stand in the way of Zoe’s claims to all her husband's love. There was a long silence, during which Christina dared not turn her eyes again upon Lady Octavisn Meredith: for she naturally feared that this silence on her friend’s part denoted astonishment and displeasure. At length feeling her position was awkward in the extreme, she slowly and timidly reverted her eyes upon Zoe; and then to her mingled amazement and relief, she perceived that Lady Octavian, having just wiped the tears from owen Eee | ere? ie (GO) AACE DOO Col