The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

a house in St. James’s Square. LC L_L_EL LL LL LLL LLL LL LE LL LLL LLL LO LL LE LL ES EE RE ee ee mI LS TT eet ewe et ee ee oo — me ee ee eee idea that he was probably no stranger to her frailty. you to consider me. delay in unnecessary discuurse: you must return goodness, will receive you with open arms—and you may likewise expect to embrace your father-——” “My father!’ repeated Octavia, with a convulsive start, and with a wild expression suddenly springing up in her eyes. “Fear nothing, I say—your father suspects not your absence, and need not know it,” Florimel has- tened to observe. your secret—and she would sooner die than betray you.” “Pauline knows all !—my father is returned !”’ easped the wretched girl, sinking upon a chair ;—and then a flood of tears came to her relief. “Tn the name of heaven, compose yourself, Miss Clarendon!” said Mrs. Brace, caressing her with a great show of affection. “Do you not comprehend what this kind nobleman has told you? Your sister has learnt your secret, and will do all she can to aid you——” “Tt is this that cuts me to the soul,” exclaimed Octavia, bitterly: “ for how shall I be able to look my pure and virtuous sister in the face 2” “ She loves you—loves you tenderly, Miss Claren- don,” said Florime ‘ But, for heaven’s sake, come! It is now seven o’clock—and you must be home before eight !” Octavia started up—dried her tears—and, the dread of her father’s wrath arming her with sudden energy, declared her readiness to depart. But as it would be dangerous to the reputation of Mrs. Brace’s establishment for a lady and gentleman to be seen issuing forth together at that early hour in the morning, the milliner undertook to accompany Octavia in the hackney-coach as far as Piccadilly, where I*lorimel could join them and take her place. This was accordingly done: the vehicle, with Mrs. Brace and the young lady inside, proceeded as far as the beginning of Bond Street, where it waited for Florimel, who passed out of the establishment by the The milliner then _alighted—the nobleman took his seat by Octavia’s _ side—and the coach moved rapidly off towards the Edgeware Road. Florimel now proceeded, in terms as delicate as | possible, to give his fair companion certain necessary - explanations. He told her how he had heard of her sister’s cliarms and was resolved to win her heart— how he had called on the previous evening in female _ attire—how Pauline had discovered his treachery by | some inadvertent expressions he had used—how he fell upon his knees before her and besought her for- giveness—and how a virtuous passion had superseded the base intentions that had originally animated him. He then informed Octavia that while he and her sister were seated together in the back parlour, her father had unexpectedly arrived—that Pauline had succeeded in inducing him to believe that Octavia had already retired to rest—and that he (I'lorimel) had subsequently quieted Pauline’s alarms by de- gs re wr rr ee ee ee -_— CO eee ee ee THE MYSTERIES. had alluded to him as a friend—and shame at the But with that winning maniier which seemed fatural to him, and which on account of its femi- nine softness was so well calculated to inspire confi- dence, Lord Florimel approached her—took her hand—and said in a reassuring tone, “ I am indeed a friend, Miss Clarendon; and in that light I wish But we have not a moment to home immediately—your sister, who is an angel of * Pauline is the depositress of Se ee rte) claring the he knew where her sister was and would ing. He added that beingin Mrs. Brace’s confidence, assured her that he neither knew; nor sought to learn, who was the object of her affection. Octavia scarcely cotnprehended all these details— for there was a confusion in her brain: she howéver understood enough to convince her that Pauliné would save her from exposure in respect to her father —and that was all she cared for ! The explanations of Lord Florimel had scarcely reached their conclusion, when within sight of the villa; and the nobleman ordéfed it to stop. Octavia alighteé—and, having mut- mured a few words of ¢ratitude to her generotis friend, she hurried away towards the house. Florimel waited until he saw Pauline appear at the garden-gate to receive her sister; and the hasty signal which the younger Miss Clarendon made to him, as he kept his head out of the carriage-window, convinced him that Octavia was in time to escape detection on the part of her sire. He then ordered the eoachman to take him to his own residence in Piccadilly. CHAPTER XXIII. MR. PAGH’S RESEARCHES, Our readers will remember that we left Mr. Page in his bed at the George and Blue Boar, at the time when, awaking in the morning after his night’s adven- tures in the eastern district of London, he found himself attacked by a violent fit of rheumatism. It will likewise be recollected that he sent for medical assistance; and the doctor immediately recommended him to take a warm bath. This the commercial traveller did; and, on returning to his bed, he fell into a sound sleep. It was four o’clock in the afternoon when he awoke; and he found himself so much better that he got up and sat by the fire. A basin of mock turtle soup, which he then discussed, appeared to improve him still more; and he was able to walk about his room with comparative ease—the rheu- matism having subsided into a mere sensation of stiffness in the limbs. On making inquiries of the waiter, he ascertained that his employer Mr. Hodson had called in the course of the day; but on being informed that Page was asleep, the merchant had taken his departure, as he was unwilling to disturb him. Our readers have seen quite enough of the com- mercial traveller to be well aware that his disposition was of the most restless, bustling, and excitable nature ; and they will not therefore be surprised when we inform them that he was most anxious to make certain researches suggested by one of tlie papers contained in the pocket-book. ‘This document was the scrap whereon the follow- ing lines were scrawled with a pencil, and in a tremulous hand :— “V,ook under the stone in the farthest corner to the right, in the cellar. Use it wisely, Julia—and you will prosper : act rashly—and you will be ruined.” That this note was written by the old man who had died in his presence on the preceding might, _—_——- ——_- _-_ + —— - —— —- a —————— guarantee her safe return before eight in the morn- | he was acquainted with Octavia’s amour: but he — the coach came | Com EloOOKKS. . COR