The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 117: what you’re looking at

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106 THE MYSTEERIZS OF THE OOURT. upon my countenance.—‘ Little as we are ac- quainted,’ he said, in a voice that was soft and low, ‘I feel as if I had known you for many, many long years.’—For a few instants I had abandoned him my hand, unconscious of what I was doing: I now snatched it away: but I was trembling vio- lently. Then—more instinctively than because I actually remembered the object for which I had sought this meeting—I drew forth the bank-note and proffered it to him. He started—he blushed— he saw that his generous stratagem bad been dis- covered. I faltered out words of thanks:—how could I do otherwise P—and I know not how it was, but I presently found myself gegted by his side on the bank that skirts the grove, and listen- ing to the language of love which he wag breathing in my ear. He told me that he had geen me every day eince last we met—that he had followed me at a distance, content to obtain 9 glimpse of my form—and that he had taken osre I should not perceive [ wag thus followed. Ob, gli the tender things he said to me !—yet in language so delicate—in terms so replete with gn honest man! frankness, that it waq jmpossiblg I eculd feel offended! But all the time my brdiq wag in a sort of whirl; and I haq no power ad cali deli- beration. I know not how we parted——Yes,” added Clarine, bending down her blushing goynte- nance, “I remember thas when he besoggh} gud implored me to be there af the same hour on The following day, I did not refuge him—t! suffered him to understand that his request would be granted. I¢ was not until I was again of the Chateau, and in mine own chamber, that I had right comprehension of everything that had tak place. Then—I must candidly cimfesa the traf —whatsoever regrets I might have experienced the course I was pursuing unknown (0 (my fabh were absorbed in the delicious sense of loying an being beloved. You see, Zoe, that I am telli you everything—I am speaking witli frankuess “f candour—I am unbosoming myself completo unto you. Oh! do you not think | was yogy weak——”’ “Proceed, dear Clarine,” said Lady Octavian : “‘ proceed—and let me hear the result.” “After that meeting,’ resumed Mademoiselle Volney, “we met frequently—frequently: yet on each occasion I thought to myself that I was doing wropg—very wrong! But, alas! love exercised its spell-like influence over me; and I could not command the courage which was requisite for say- ing the word that was to pronounce our separa- tion. And then too, my dear Zoe, I must not forget to observe that Claude Masson was con- stantly assuring me the time would soon come when concealment and disguise would be no longer necessary—when he would be enabled openly to proclaim his presence in that district and make himself known to my father—and that then he would reveal his love for me and claim my hand. You see, dear Zoe, it was a delicious dream in which { was cradled—a state of existence so dif- ferent from that which I had been lately leading —so new to me, that to have returned to the monotony ard the solitude of my former mode of life, would have been the destruction of my happiness: it would have been suicidal in re- spect to my own heart. Thus weeks passed away—— ‘And where did Claude Masson live all this while ?” inqujred Lady Octavian Meredith. “At a cottage about four miles distant—at least so he informed me,” answered Clarine. “ Ah! you may conceive the precautions which he con- stantly took to avoid meeting my father or any one who might chance to know him! And I too had to take precautions in joining him at our trysting-places: but these were not so very diffi- cult—my father never asked me whither I was going nor where I had been: he seemed to take no note of my actions. And sometimes, dear Zoe, when I reflected on all this, I thought to myself that my father was placing illimitable confidence in me, and that I was betraying it. But then, on the other bend, I persuaded myself that this very confidence on my father’s part was as much as to abandon me fo the discretionary power of catering for my own happiness. I have no doubt that you look upon such an idea as the most miserable sophistry on my part: but if the love which I experience be the same as the love which is felt by others, I am convinced that it is m the very nature of love iteelf to suggest expedients and even oonjure pp arguments that aro in precise accordance with ifs own aims, views, or circum. stances,” | “This is true, Clarine,” said Lady Octavian: “the yoina of nature speaks a common 4nd uni- versal languege through the medium of the heart’s ove.’ ” “Ona day,” pantinued Clarine, “ my father told me tag oa would probsbly become my ¢com- panio 9 while; and to confess the truth I was at firet more yexed thay pleasod—though | did my best ta appear grateral to my parent and fo seem satisfied 4 the arrangement that he was making with the bes§ of motives on my behalf. I wag id that you ' e an invalid: I thought therefore af you would be much in your own chamber, § eghould to meet him eh thas i 4 still find leisy 10 had baeame go dear fo me. Fon arrived at t. Choteau; and I immediately conceived «a ieodship for you—a friendship which has ripened PO into love. Yes, dear Zoe— t thie inajant, Mademoiselle Volney stopped short; and Lady Octavian Meredith instanta- neously comprehended wherefore: for M. Volney was approaching from the distance. ‘He means to accost us,” said Clarine after a few instante’ pause. “I must compose myself Another time I will finish my narrative.” CHAPTER CY. THE GALLERY IN THE CHATEAU. M. Vourwgy approached his daughter and Lady Octavian; and he offered to escort them either for & continuation of their walk, or back to the Chateau. Zoe, to whom the choice was especially addressed, devided upon the latter: for she was fearful of rambling too far. During the walk homeward, it was evident that M. Vulney strove to converse ina gsyer strain than heretofore, and that he sought to make up by present attentions for any remissness on that score of which he had been previously guilty. (COLL G OOO SS} (COLL