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

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194 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 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 falso 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 eure to regard it as the most shallow 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—hoe 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 Oity merebant,—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 such favourable incident. Amongst the equipages which rolled ap to the entrance of Tudor House, was the carriage of Queen Indora; and this contained Christian and Christina. The moment they entered the bril- liantly-lighted saloon, Sir Frederick Latham led his wife forward to greet the twine 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 eppear- avce of this brother and sister—such a striking similitude between them—and their personal beauty wae of so high and intellectual an order, — that it was impossible for any one who had a heart 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 a 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,—her 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 aphorism 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 if her heart, which gave a carnation hue to her cheeks; and this animation rendered her beauty not nrerely interesting, but likewise brilliant at the moment. Her brother Christian certainly never appeared 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 his shape: and his dark hair, parted in nataral curls above his high open forehead, en- framed as it were that seat of the loftiest thoughta, 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 himeelf—should have created a con- siderable sensation when they entered the saloon. Bir 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, yet did he inwardly congratulate himself on the policy which had induced him to invite Christian and Obristina to his entertainment. After Sir Frederick and Lady Anastatia Latham had eonversed 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 vanisbed—and for afew moments she was exceedingly pale. Th transitory display of emotion on her part howevet assed unnoticed; and the dance being over, the unt conducted her to a seat. He remained conversing with her for a few minutes longer; aad then, as ber brother rejoined her, the nobleman retired to another part of the room. Sir Frederick Latham almost immediately came up to discourse with the twins; and soon did the splendid band give notice that the next dance was about to com- mwence. Obristian was inttuduced 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 her 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 countesance: her hand tremblei not as it reeted in that of Lord Octa- vian ;—yet Ais 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 ashe led her to the place which they were to take in the danoe, she looked straight- forward, yet without having any visible air of em- barrassment or restraint. Nevertheless, although GOnMIGOOOKS (CO