The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 124: what you’re looking at

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118 you and your sister had been performing a gene- rous act of charity towards that poor crea- ture ti “ Whose rapid pathway to the grave was smoothed by your bounties,” added Christian, who experienced an illimitable admiration for the cha- racter of Mr. Redcliffe. “And where are you living now?” inquired this gentleman, with his characteristic abruptuess. “‘ How is your amiable sister? Ihave thought of you both sometimes ; and indeed have been going to ask Mrs. Macaulay concerning you—but some- thing has always occurred to put it out of my head.” “Tam grateful, sir,’ answered Christian, “ to learn that my sister and myself have enjoyed your consideration. Christina is living with Lady Octa- vian Meredith 14 “Ah, then you no longer dwell together—you and your sister?” exclaimed Mr. Redcliffe, now surveying the youth with an increasing interest. “No, sir; circumstances compelled us to sepa- rate. We have to earn our own living: but, thank heaven! my sister is comfortably provided for.” “ And youP” asked Redcliffe. “T am for the present private secretary to the Duke of Marchmont,” responded Christian. “Ah!” ejaculated Mr. Redcliffe: and then he hastily observed, “ But why do you speak as if your sister only was comfortably situated, and you were not? Is it because you feel your present position to be a mere temporary one ?” “Yes, sir: for that and another reason But then Christian stopped short, sorry even that he had said so much. “Has the Duke of Marchmont cause to be dissatisfied with you? has he given you notice to leave him ?” “Oh, no, sir!” exclaimed Christian, speaking with a sort of ardour, in the consciousness that he was giving complete satisfaction to his ducal em- ployer, and that the tenure of his office depended entirely upon himself. “Perhaps you are dissatisfied with your situa- tion?” said Mr. Redcliffe inquiringly: and Chris- tian perceived that his dark eyes were fixed keenly upon him. “ Frankly speaking, sir,’ responded the youth, “T am not well pleased with the post which I occupy: ana though for a time I may keep it +P) But here again he stopped suddenly short, as the idea flashed to him that possibly Mr. Redcliffe might be acquainted with the Duke—in which case it would be the height of imprudence for him (Christian) to enter into any explanations with regard to the point whereon he had begun to touch. “You need not be afraid to speak frankly and candidly to me,” observed Redcliffe, who seemed at once to fathom the motive of the youth’s hesitation. “I have not the slightest acquaintance with the Duke of Marchmont; and eyen if it were otherwise, I should not betray anything that you might in confidence reveal to me. I experience an interest in you; and if you think fit to regard me as a friend, you shall find me deserving of the title. If I remember right I have learnt that you and your sister are twins, and that you are 39 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. understand that you are both dependent on your- selves for your support. . In this case you may need the advice of a friend, even if at the moment you require no more substantial succour: but both should be cheerfully given by me.” Christian expressed his gratitude for these as- surances; and he experienced a profound pleasure at thus becoming the object of proffered friendship on the part of one whose character he already so much admired. “Think not, young gentleman,” continued Mr. Redcliffe, “that I am inspired by any impertinent curiosity in secking your confidence 4g “Oh, no, sir! Not for a moment,’ exclaimed Christian, “could I entertain an idea so injurious towards you !” “ Listen,” proceeded Redcliffe. “A youth of your age—thrown upon his own resources, and abroad as it were in the wide world—must in- evitably on various occasions need suitable counsel and advice from older and more experienced heads. if I err not, you are at this present moment in some such position. Your sister is well proyided for—and I rejoice to hear it: but you yourself appear to be less satisfactorily situated. In a word, you are not happy at the Duke of March- mont’s: or else something has occurred ( “ Something has indeed occurred,” said Christian, in a mournful voice: and after a few instants’ reflection, he added slowly and thoughtfully, “ Yes —Ido indeed require the counsel of some one who is enabled to give it. I feel that I am placed in a situation of considerable embarrassment — that I have a duty to perform towards an inno- cent lady whose destruction is resolved upon— but yet that in the performance of this duty I must play the hypocrite % “All this, Christian Ashton, is most serious,” observed Mr. Redcliffe. ‘ Let us walk to a more secluded place where we can converse together. I see that you will give me your confidence; and again I assure you that you shall never repent ib.” Mr. Redcliffe and the youth diverged away together from the neighbourhood of Park Lane where their encounter had taken place; and they rambled slowly across the wide open field of the Park. During this walk Christian explained to Mr. Redcliffe how he had happened to fall asleep in the library on the preceding night—how he had overheard the conversation between the Duke of Marchmont and the Hon. Mr. Stanhope—how, after serious deliberation with himself, he had resolved to dissemble his looks in the presence of his Grace, and retain his situation in the hope of frustrating the diabolical scheme which had been initiated against the Duchess—but how when once this object should have been achieved, he was de- termined to seek his livelihood elsewhere. Mr. Redcliffe listened in profound silence. He spoke not a single syllable throughout Christian’s narrative: he walked slowly by the youth’s side, with his eyes bent down;—and when the tale was ended, upwards of a minute elapsed ere he breathed a word of comment. “This is indeed most scrious,’ at length ob- served Mr. Redcliffe, speaking slowly and delibe- rately, and also in subdued accents. “The views which you have entertained in connexion there- ? orphans: your own words just now gave me to] with, are all just and intelligent. You cannot i re ee COMME OOO a (©) 5}