The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 248: what you’re looking at

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me © i ee THE MYSTERIES explain the tacit readiness with which Zoe con- sented to separate from our heroine—or at least how it was that she did not offer any serious re- 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: thé young maiden had spoken frankly to Christian—and had described all that had occurred: but she did not even hint that her own feelings were not altogéthd? éo indif- ferent as she knew they ought to be with regard to Lord Octavian. Her virginal modesty would not permit her to avow eveh to the ear of an affed- tionaté brothér that which she Would hot ddmit unto herself: for though thére was thé auspicion —at times more distinct than at otheté—-in hef mind that Lord Octavian’s lové had not proved entirely displeasing to her, she ende&voured 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 hét thoughté, she at cnce strove to turn them completely into some other channel. In the eveniig, when seated at thé disner 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 nature 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-domio—" thé in- structions which Mr. Redcliffe 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 eo 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 elightest notion as to what the snare could be into which it. was sought to inveigle the Princess and Sagoonah. “ No—thank heaven, I fear not enemies!” an- swered the Princess. “ But you, my sweet young friend, comprebend not as yet that there are per- eons 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 tho following day, Chris- tina alighted from the carriage at the Meredithe’ 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. Inafew 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- a neil OF THE COURT. 239 loved friend was yet some distance from complete restoration to health. Zoe questionied her in the kindest mannér ds to her new position; and shé expressed fie? delight to hear that Christina wad do happy twith the Princesa of Inderabad. An hour thus passdd while they werd in cohversation together; atid durifg the wholé time Lady Octa- vian never once mentioned,the name of her hué- band. There wad howéver nothing pointed in this avoidance of such mention: i¢ might or {¢ might hot have Beeti a hicre accident arising from thé circumstande that the cohvetsaticoh flowed in channels Féfidéring Any allusioh to Lord Octavian perfect utinecesshry. Héfreshménta Were served up: but écarcely was tHe funcheoti-tray removed when his Jordship’s well-knowh knock was heard at thé froht door. Chtistina tecognised if ih a fiomerit: shé was throw off her guatd—she started—she blushéd—she was filled with don- Fusion. “Tt is Lord Octavian,” said Zoe, in a quiét tone: and yet it struck Christina, as shé glanced towards her friend, that a slight tremulousnesé was visible in hér fratné. “ Ho must 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 hint that she must now return to Bayswatér, whén she récollected that she had ordered the carridge to return not until four in the afternoon; and éhe thérefore immediately perceived that were she how to depart abruptly, it would bé admitting to Zoe that she attached a significancy to the circumstance of Lord Octavian’s unexpected presence. For though dhe had little doubt in her own mind that Zod had more or less penétrated thé circumstance which led to her femoval to another home,—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 were swééping through Christina’s mind, Lord Octavian’s well-kriown foof- steps were ascending the stairs: they approached the drawing-room door—and he entered. Fortu- nately he had heard from the fdotman who gave him admission, that Miss Ashton was with her ladyship; and therefore He was not taken by sur- prise on finding Christina thére. 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 stairs: yet an irresistible impulse urgéd him on; and thongh conscience told him that ho was doing wrong, inclination was stronger than conscience ! . Assuming an air of mere friéndly courtésy, he advanced to Christina, proffering his hand: she hesitatingly gave him hers—he retained it for a single moment—and having exchanged with her the usual compliments of courtesy, sat down oluse 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: (COL (C DOO CS (COL