The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

THE FATHER AND DAUGHTERS 2a¢ Florimel to have actually been in the bedchamber with her, instead of in the back parlour as she stated; but she would rather even thus condescend to misrepresentation than have her virtue suspected even for an instant by confessing that her prolonged interview with the nobleman had posi- tively occurred in the sleeping-apartment. Octavia, being now composed and having recovered her presence of mind, descended to the breakfast-table with her sister. There they were speedily joined by Mr. Clarendon, who embraced both his daughters not only with the affec- tionate satisfaction attendant upon his return home, but likewise with the joy of a parent who has good tidings to impart to his children. Octavia’s heart fluttered, and she felt herself blushing and then turning pale a dozen times in a minute, as she received her father’s caresses; for she could not resist the reflection that she was pure and chaste when he bade her adieu ere he set out upon his journey, and that it was not with.the guilelessness of an innocent heart that she could greet his return. But Mr. Clarendon did not observe his elder daughter’s emotions; and as he made no remark respecting any cir- cumstance attending his late arrival, but began almost immediately to give an account of his journey, her trepida- tion was speedily soothed and her confidence restored. It appeared that Mr. Clarendon, on presenting himself at Marchmont Castle in Derbyshire, was received by his noble cousin with a readiness and a cordiality which both amazed and delighted him. The reason of this remarkable and most unexpected condescension on the part of Lord Marchmont, was, however, soon explained. This haughty peer was a widower and had but one son, the Honourable Arthur Eaton, who was about three and twenty years of age. Until within a few months of the period of which we are writing, this youthful scion of a noble house had enjoyed such excellent health that he had never known a day’s illness; but all of a sudden his constitution appeared to give way, — not with a gradual approach of premature decay, but with an abruptness as if some vital chords in the heart had broken and existence was only held by the few feeble ligaments which remained. The colour forsook his cheeks, his frame, hitherto vigorous though never robust, grew debilitated, his appetite failed him, and he could not induce CONnnicloool|Ks (GO)