The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 238: what you’re looking at

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

THE FATHER AND DAUGHTERS 235 rose-entwined path of love should be interspersed with thorns? ”’ “IT conjure you not to give way to these emotions, sister, dearest sister!’?’ murmured Pauline, tears trickling down her cheeks. ‘‘ Do you not know that I love you? If you are unhappy, is it I who will augment the anguish you already experience? Oh, heavens — no! I have done all I could to screen you, I will do all I can to comfort and console you! ”’ ‘“ Beloved Pauline!’ exclaimed Octavia, again and again embracing her kind-hearted sister. Then, growing more composed, she said, ‘‘ It is a terrible necessity which now compels me to prepare to meet my father and subdue the blushes that shame would bring to my cheeks.’’ ‘“ Bvery word you utter, Octavia, appears to express a regret for what is past,’’ returned Pauline, now surveying her sister with the tenderest solicitude. “Is it possible you can have learned to love one who is unworthy of you, and whose name you would blush to mention? ” ‘“ No— no,” answered Octavia, in an impassioned tone. “ He whom I love is the noblest, the kindest, and the best of men; and in a few days he will seek an introduction to my father. He will then become a constant visitor to the house, and, after the lapse of a proper interval, he will demand my hand in marriage.” “Then what have you to deplore so deeply?” asked Pauline, delighted with this assurance, and seeking, in the generosity of her soul, to make it even the means of glossing over her sister’s fault. ‘TI do not deplore having given my love to Mr. Harley,”’ responded Octavia, now speaking with the pride of a woman the immensity of whose love is her boast, because she believes herself to be as fondly loved in return. “Mr. Harley!’’ ejaculated Pauline, in unfeigned aston- ishment. “Yes, it is he who is to become my husband,” replied — Octavia. “This revelation to me is another source of joy,’”’ observed the younger sister, her countenance becoming still more radiant, ‘‘ because I am certain that he is an honourable man. His bearing, his conversation, his delicate attentions, his frank and ingenuous manners, his looks, all, all bespeak him to be of nature’s nobility!” cried the enthusiastic git!, Sj (EO) COME OOO