The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

é . e -_ ° @® ae, = . oan | | the pleasure of visiting you frequen 156 ty health and happiness, dear father,” he added in a lower but more impressive tone,—* you will aid me in thas convincing them that they are traly weloome here, not as mere guests—bat as members of the family.” : “You know, my dear boy, that I will do anything to bring back the smiles to your countenance,” said the old peer. “It was to give you pleasure that I called on the Clarendons yesterday to insist upon their coming te-night. They had already intended to accept our invitation, and had written the usual answer, which must however have miscarried. But there they are: let us hasten to welcome them.” As Lord Marchmont spoke, Mr. Clarendon entered the saloon, Octavia leaning on his right arm and Pauline on his left. Never had those two young ladies appeared to greater advantage: there was something alike noble and ravishing in their splendid style of beauty. Dressed with taste and elegance, and carrying themselves with a modest dignity and an indescribable grace, they seemed to have been born and nurtured in that sphere of fashion which they were indeed now entering for the first time The eyes of all present in that spacious apartment were fixed upon these charming girls as they made their appearance. The ladies could not help paying them the tacit complinient of admiration; and the nobles and gentlemen murmured to each other the praises which sprang to their lips as their looks be- came rivetted on Mr. Clarendon’s daughters. {n a few moments they were accosted by Lord Marchmont and the Hon. Mr. Eaton. The lat- ter was duly presented by his father to the young ladies, who had expected to receive a cold, haughty, and reserved courtesy from him, and who were there- | lin fore highly delighted and most agreeably disappointed by the welcome which he gave them. Shaking them cordially by the hand, he said, “ My dear cousins, you must think me very unkind not to have called upon you. You even imagine that [ was not eager to make your §cquaintance. But you would do me a serious injustice were you to en- tertain such an impression. The truth is, I am only beginning to recover from a long and severe malady, as your excellent father has doubtless informed you; and I have been compelled to remain at home during the last fortnight in consequence of the inclement weather, Then, again, I knew that you were occupied im removing to your new residence; and I am well aware that ladies do not like to be disturbed when thus Now, however, that my health is greatly improving and that you are doubtless settled by this time in Cavendish Square, I promise myself tly. Come—we will leave your father to converse with mine, while I oondact you to seats.” And having thus addressed Octavia and Pauline ‘in the most affable manner, and with the familiarity ‘of a relation instead of the reserved politences of a mere friend—much less with the cold reserve of a Wranger—he gave each an arm and led them slowly through the suite of drawing-rooms. “Now that I hope I have made my peace with you, charming cousins, for not calling upon you,” resamed Eaton, who in reality had abstained from visiting them hitherto in order that he might afford enem a more decided proof of his good feeling by paying them a marked attention in the presence of the fashion and rank assembled on the present eccesion—“and now that I have unburthened my- oe “eee ° © owes THE MYSTERIES. self of all adequate apologies on continued gaily, “I mast give you notice that I am likely to become a very troublesome visitor at your house. For I shall observe no cold cere- mony: such formality is ridiculous between rela- tives. Therefore I shall intrude myself on you when the humour takes me—and while you are busied with your drawing or your embroidery, I shal] read'to you. Or else you shall treat me to some music now and then: for [am sure you are proficients in that art. Now, tell me—shall I be weloome on such terms #” “We shall always be delighted to see you, Mr. Eaton,” answered Octavia, who, as well as her sister, was as much charmed as amazed by the warm friendship and unaffected cordiality which their relative demonstrated towards them. “ Nay—if you call me Mr. Eaton,” he instantly observed, “I shall think that you mean to treat me as any other visitor. We are cousins—and I have already declared that ceremony mast not exist be- tween us. Oh! you do not know how many in- quiries I have made concerning you. I am weil aware that your Christian names are Octavia and Pauline; and you are the elder—therefore your name is Octavia ;—and yours is Pauline,” he added, looking first at the sister who leant on his right arm, and then at the one who was supported on his left. “ Henceforth I shall call you Octavia and Pauline—and you will have the kindness to call me Arthur—or I shall very soon quarrel with you both, I can assure you.” “ At least you will allow us to thank you, Arthur, for your generous kindness towards us,” said Pau- e that dune “ No—indeed I will not,” he answered immedi. ately, and with a playful smile upon his counte- nance. “It would be as if I were affecting a senti- ment which J do not in reality feel. But the dancing is about to commence, my charming cousins —aad I must find you suitable partners. I dare not ven- ture upon a quadrille at present: otherwise I would open the ball with you, Octavia. But I shall oon- duct you both to seats, aad leave you for a few minutes; you will however speedily see me again.” Thus speaking, he escorted the two young ladies to a sofa; and then, mingling with the brilliant as- sembly thronging the room to which he had thus led them, he selected a handsome young nobie- man, with whom he was intimately acquainted, as a partner for Octavia. Having introduced them to each other, he again looked around; and his eyes fell upon Lord Florimel, who was at that moment entering the room. Pauline, from the place where she sate, simultaneously recognised the young peer whose image dwelt in her bosom; and when she saw Arthur Eaton accost him, shake him familiarly by the hand, and then advance down the saloons leaning on his arm, her heart flattered with inde- scribable emotions of pleasure. . Bat she had time to compose her countenance ere Lord Florime!l stood before her; and he also, by a powerful effort, subdued the mingted joy and amasement which seized upon him when he thus found himself in the presence of the charming girl whom he had never once forgotten since that meme rable night whith he passed at Paradise Villa. In the meantime Octavia had been led away by her partner to join the dance; and the reader may eonfesiun conceive the surprise and momentary oon « GED ome wace COMIC OOO co