The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 252: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ‘ explain the tacit readiness with which Zoe con- sented to separate from our heroine—of at least how it was that she did not offer any serious fe- monstrance. And now, perhaps, the reader may wonder whether Christina had acquainted her bro- ther with the circumstances which had led to het change of situation. Yes: the young maiden had spoken frankly to Christian—and had described all that bad occurred: but she did not even hint that her own feelings weré not altogéthé? 40 indif- ferent as dhe knew they ought to be with regard to Lord Octavian. Her virginal modesty would not permit her to avow eveh to the eat of an affec- tionate brother that which she Would hot ddinit unto herself: for though thére was the suspicion —at times more distinct than at othéré—in hef mind that Lord Octavian’s love had not proved entirely displeasing to her, she endeavoured to banish that suspicion—she did all that shé could to crush it—and whenever she found the handsome young nobleman’s image stealing into her thoughts, she at cnce strove to turn them completely into some other channel. In thé evening, when seated at thé dinner table with the Princess Indora, Christina observed, ‘‘The conversation with your ladyship this morning changed to a topic which so engrossed our atten- tion, that I had not the opportunity of expressing my hope that Mr. Redcliffe’s warning letter was never justified by any actual attempts of thé naturé to which he alluded ?” | “Immediately on the receipt of it,” responded the Princess, “I gave to the faithful Mark "—thus alluding to her steward and major-domo—" the in- structions which Mr. Redcliffs had himeelf sug- gested. Two or three persons—male and female— had been noticed by Mark lurking about in the neighbourhood ; and they éndeavoured to énter into conversation with him: but he treated them with so chilling a reserve that they saw they had nothing to gain in that quarter. During the last two or three months I have heard no more of such attempts to pry into my proceedings.” “Is it possible that your Highness has enemies in this country?” asked Christina, with the most perfect ingenuousness: for her pure mind, as in- experienced as it was artless, entertained not the slightest notion as to what the snare could be into which it was sought to inveigle the Princess and Sagoonab. 7 _ “™ No—thank heaven, I fear not enemies!” an- swered the Princess. “ But you, my swoet young friend, comprehend not as yet that there are per- sons wicked enough in this world to spread nets for the feet of others :”—and having thus spoken, the oriental lady gave the conversation an imme- diate turn—not however with abruptness, but in a way that seemed perfectly natural. | Precisely at noon on the following day, Chris- tina alighted from the carriage at the Merediths’ habitation in the Regent’s Park; and as it was already arranged that the equipage was to return to fetch her at four, she had no fresh orders to give—and the vehicle was at once borne away again by the handsomely caparisoned pair at- tached toit. Ina few moments the young maiden found herself clasped in the arms of Zoe. Lady Octavian received Christina in the drawing- room: she looked pale and languid; and our heroine was distressed to perceive that her be- 239 loved friend was yet some distance from complete restoration to health. Yoe questioned hér in the kindest mannér as to her new positidn; and shé expressed he¥ delight to hear that Christina waé so happy with the Princesd of Inderabad. An hour thus passéd while they werd in coliversation together; aiid durifg the wholé time Lady Octa- vian never once mentioned, the name of her hué- band. There was howéver nothin? pointed in this avoidancé of such mention: it might or {¢ might hot have Beet a mere accident arising from thé circumsetancé that the conversation flowed in channels Féfidering Any allusioh to Lord Octavian petfectly unnecessary. Héfreshmeéents Were served up: but écarcely was the ltincheot-tray removed when his lordship’s well-known knock was héar at thé froht door. Christina fecogniséd if in a iioment: she was thrown off her guafd—shé started—the blushéd—she Was filled with ¢on- fusion. | | “Tt is Lord Octavian,” said Zoe, in a quiét toné: and yet it struck Christina, as shé glanced towards her friend, that a slight tremulousnes’ was visible in her fraine. “ He thust either havé Changed his mind in respect to passing the day with his father: or else thé Marquis must have eome other engagement Which prevents him from éntertaining his son.” Whilé Zoe was thus speaking, Christina had leisure to recover somewhat from her confusion ; and she felt the necessity of retaining all her self- possession. She was about to hist that sho must now return to Bayswatér, whén she récollected that she had ordered the carridge to return not until four in the aftefnoon; and she thérefore immediately perceived that were she now to départ abruptly, it would bé admitting to Zoe that she attached a significancy to the circumstance of Lord Octavian’s unexpected presence. For though she had little doubt in her own mind that Zoe had tnore or less penétrated thé Circumstance which led to her temoval to another honie,—yet it was one of those things concerning which the puré minds of two friends could not véry readily show that they had any tacit but mutual understand- ing. | While all these thoughts werd awééping through Christina’s mind, Lord Octavian’s well-known foof- steps were ascending the atairs: they approached the drawing-room door—and he entered. Fortu- nately he had heard from the footman who gave him admission, that Miss Ashton was with her ladyship; and therefore He was not taken by sur- prise on finding Christina there. Ah! But he should not have entered the drawing-room at all, while thus knowing whom he was déstined to meet! He had even said so to himself while ascending the staira: yet an irresistible impulse urgéd him on; and though conscienco told him that he was doing wrong, inclination was stronger than conscience ! Assuming an air of mere friendly courtesy, he advanced to Christina, proffering his hand: she hesitatingly gave him hers—he retained it for 4 single moment—and having exchanged with her the usual compliments of courtesy, sat down close by Zoe’s easy-chair. ‘You did not expect my return so soon, dearest Zoe,” he said, as if endeavouring to concentrate the greater part of his attention upon his wife: (SOL (C DOO Col