The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

82 THE COURT OF LONDON The too-confiding girl breathed the required promise; and Harley, with difficulty veiling the triumphant feelings which animated him, now besought her to compose herself in such a manner that Pauline might not suspect the tender understanding which existed between them. This was by no means an easy task for Octavia to achieve, so full of ecstatic feelings was her soul. But love is often wonderfully suggestive of what may be termed a venial duplicity; and the young lady accordingly succeeded in concealing the ardour of her passion beneath a studied reserve, so that the evening passed away without affording the slightest ground for exciting a suspicion on Pauline’s part. Mr. Harley partook of the supper which had been pre- pared; and during the meal his conversation grew more animated, sparkling, and attractive than ever. Octavia was charmed and fascinated, and there were moments when she could have thrown off her reserve, started from her seat, and flung her arms about his neck, claiming him as her lover in the presence of Pauline; but, though it was painful to restrain her feelings beneath the iron control of prudence, she nevertheless succeeded in thus exercising a severe domination over them. On the other hand, Pauline was gay, sprightly, and in excellent spirits; but while she ad- mired Mr. Harley’s brilliant qualifications, and even felt proud of possessing such an acquaintance, she shared not in the softer and more tender feelings that had acquired such empire over her more yielding, sensitive, and impassioned sister. It was nearly midnight when Mr. Harley rose to take his leave; and Octavia accompanied him as far as the garden gate. ‘“ You will not forget your promise for to-morrow evening, my angel? ”’ he whispered, as he hastily but fervently pressed her hand to his lips. ‘““ No,” she murmured, in a scarcely audible tone, and they separated, Harley departing to gloat in anticipation over the conquest which he hoped full soon to achieve, and Octavia returning into the villa, to dream of the man who had obtained such empire over her soul. | CORMICLAOO