The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

YOUTHFUL LOVE 169 ‘There can be no doubt, Christian,’’ answered Isabella, ‘“‘ that such was the conduct of Makepeace, and you under- stand wherefore I just now expressed my belief that the change from a comfortable home at the Hickmans’ to a com- paratively wretched one beneath the parish clerk’s roof was not to be altogether ascribed to any unfeeling conduct on my uncle’s part. And it is with pleasure I add that from the moment I set foot within these walls, I have received nothing but kindness at the hands of the amiable countess; my cousin Adolphus treats me, as you see, with an attention courteously respectful; the earl himself appears glad to have me with him, and in no sense have I been made to feel that I am in a state of dependence,— much less that I am an interloper.’’ Thus terminated the young maiden’s narrative, and as the dusk was now closing in, the two youthful lovers sought Lord Osmond and the countess, that they might reénter the mansion together. Those whom they thus sought had likewise deemed it time to rejoin the earl, and the party accordingly repaired to the drawing-room. Two or three days elapsed, and still the Earl of Lascelles heard nothing of the hoped-for intimation that his son Adolphus had proposed for the hand of Miss Vincent. His lordship began to fear that his fine stroke of policy in respect to Isabella’s presentation at court had failed to produce the desired effect upon Adolphus, and he was determined to bring matters to a solution and pack off Lord Osmond and Isabella to the hymeneal altar with the least possible delay. He therefore reflected upon what new step he should now take in order to bring about this consummation. He still felt persuaded that it could be nothing but diffidence on his son’s part, and the current of his thoughts flowed in the following channel: “‘ Perhaps, after all, the loves of my son and my niece have not made quite so much progress as I had anticipated. And really, considering that Adolphus is but a mere child,” for the earl would not even admit to himself that his son was & grown-up young man of three and twenty, “‘ he may be a mere puling schoolboy in the art of love. I will just satisfy myself on the point. I will ask that young Ashton to dine with us again to-day; they are all sure to walk out in the garden as usual in the evening. Ashton will of course CORNICLOO SS (CO) im