The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

194 a hundred pounds—it was totally useless to ask her to furnish from her own purse the much larger amount that he needed. He dared not explain to his brother-in-law the precise truth of the adven- ture with the false Lascar; because he knew per- fectly well that not for a single minute would Sir Frederick Latham put faith in such a tale—but that on the contrary he would be sure to regard it as the most eballow and impudent pretext for ob- taining an additional supply of money. What course was the Viscount to adopt? He knew not: he was cruelly bewildered—he was miserably per- plexed: he had no heart for the enjoyment of the festivities to which he had come; but he had made his appearance at Tudor Lodge in the hope that the chapter of accidents might evolve some cir- cumstance which he could possibly turn to his ad- vantage. Thus, if, for instance, he should find his brother-in-law in a better mood towards him than usual—if the gratified vanity of beholding a grand entertainment prove most brilliantly successful, should open the heart of the City merehant,—or again, if it were possible to induce Anastatia to plead on his behalf, devising some pretext for the plea iteelf,—Lord Rushbrook was determined to be ready to take advantage of any auch favourable incident. Amongst the equipages which rolled up to the entrance of Tudor House, was the cartiage of Queen Indora; and this contained Christian end Christina. The moment they entered the bril- liantly-lighted saloon, Sie Frederick Latham led his wife forward to greet the twins with a fitting welcome; and the amiable Anastatia, already pre- disposed to like them, was at once smitten with the conviction that her sympathies had flowed in a channel which would yield no future cause for regret. There was something so exceedingly inter- esting, even pathetieally touching, in the appear- avce of this brother and sister—such a striking similitude between them—and their personal beauty was of so high and intellectual an order, — that it was impossible for any one who had a beart susceptible of right and proper feeling, to be other. wise than moved towards this young pair. Though their manners were natarally retired and unobtru- sive, yet had they gentility’s perfect gloss: every gesture denoted good breeding ; and there was an elegance as well as « refinement about them which would have led a stranger to believe that they were the offspring of one of the highest families in the land. Christina leant upon her brother's arm,—hber beautiful shape set off by a costume which was characterized by tasteful elegance; and though she had received costly gifts from Queen Indora and from Mr. Redcliffe, yet did she now wear little jewellery,—not because she herself egotistically appreciated the poetical ephorisu which says that “beauty when unadorned is adorned the most,”—but because her taste in this respect was naturally simple. Her raven hair flowed in heavy tresses upon her polished, stain- less shoulders; and as this was the first time she had ever made her appearance in so large and brilliant ah assemblage, there was a certain flutter it her heart, which gave a carnation hue to her checks; and this animation rendered her beauty not merely interesting, but likewise brilliant at the moment. Her brother Christian certainly never appeared THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. to greater advantage. The evening costume which he wore—the black dress coat and pantaloons, with the snowy white waistcoat—set off the slender symmetry of bis shape: and his dark hair, parted in nataral curls above his high open forehead, en. framed as it were that seat of the loftiest thoughts, No wonder therefore that this beautiful young couple—for the word deautiful is not misused even in reference to the masculine good looks of our young hero himself—should have created a con- siderable sensation when they entered the saloon. Bie Frederick Latham perceived the effect thus produced: he saw that the young pair had in a moment become the cynosure of attraction; and though he outwardly betrayed not what he felt, yot did he inwardly congratulate himself on the policy which had induced him to invite Christian and Christina to his entertainment. After Sir Frederick and Lady Anastatia Latham had conversed for a little while with Mr. and Miss Ashton, the dancing commenced. Sir Frederick requested Christian to open the ball with her lady. ship,—thus doing everything he could to put our hero forward as his principal male guest. He himself never danced: but Viscount Rushbrook be- ‘@atne Christina’s partner for the first quadrille. ‘This first quadrille was just drawing to a close, when Christina, on glancing towards the extremity of the room, caught a glimpse of a countenanes which brought the warm blood up to her cheeks: but the next instant that colour vanished~—and for afew moments she was exceedingly pale. This transitory display of emotion on her part howévet assed unnoticed; and the dance being over, the unt conducted her to a seat. He remained conversing with her for a few minutes longer; and then, as her brother rejoined her, the nobleman retired to another part of the room. Sir Frederick Latham almost immedietely came up to discoures with the twins; and soon did the splendid band give notice that the next dance was about to com- mwence. CObristian was intfuduced to some young lady of rank for this seoond quadrille ; and scarcely had he quitted Christina’s side, when a well- known voice, speaking low and tremulously, sid, “‘ May I have the pleasure of Miss Ashton’s hand on the present occasion P” All the proper pride, modesty, and self-possession of the young lady immediately came to her aid, as she rose from ber seat and gave her hand to Lord Octavian Meredith: for he it was of whose coun- tenance she had caught a glimpse, as ere now stated, amidst the lookers-on at the farther ex- tremity of the brilliantly lighted saloon. A sense of duty, having several phases—duty towards here self—duty towards this young nobleman who was the husband of another—duty towards thet other, the amiable Zoe, who was Christine’s friend—in- spired the young maiden with a degree of firmness which made her heart glow with satisfaction at the thought that she should be enabled to command it. No change took place in her countenance: her hand trembled not as it rested in that of Lord Octa- vian ;—yet his hand trembled—and she felt that it did so. For a moment her looks had eneoantered his own when she rose from her seat to give him that hand : but as he led her to the place which they were to take in the danoe, she looked straight- forward, yet without heaving auy visible air of em- barrassment or restraint. Nevertheless, although COMME OOO SS} (CO