The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

DUCAL RECEPTIONS 129 might be in contemplation, would be to seal his own ex- clusion from those circles in future. What was Octavian to do? He felt that he was entering upon a dangerous career, and that his naturally good principles were already receiving certain shocks, each successive one being accom- panied with less remorseful feelings than the former, and he yearned to escape from these evil influences. But how was he to doso? His mind, having been chafed and disappointed, was too unsettled and restless to enable him to sit down quietly in the midst of books, and it was not to be expected that a young man just entering into life would fly to some distant seclusion and turn hermit. On every occasion when invited to dine with the Duke of Marchmont or any other of his friends, Octavian would hesitate what answer to send; he trembled to go, yet knew not how to refuse, and so he went, vowing it should be for the last time. But these “last times ”’ really never reached the end, nor fulfilled their own meaning, and thus Lord Octavian Meredith — with the highest aspirations, and the best capacities for doing himself sood — was being gradually and imperceptibly sucked into that vortex of dissipation which London life affords, and in which many a fine spirit, noble intellect, and magnanimous heart is wrecked and engulfed. It has been necessary to give the reader this long descrip- tion of a young nobleman who is destined to play no incon- siderable part upon the stage of our story, and he it now was who was ushered into the Duke of Marchmont’s presence soon after Mr. Armytage had taken his departure. ‘‘ The very one whom at the instant I most longed to see,”’ exclaimed the duke, cordially grasping Octavian’s hand. ““T was thinking of going for a good long ride, for to tell you the truth, I drank somewhat too much champagne last night — By the bye, you were not one of us at Lord Oxen- den’s? ” ‘““ No, I was at a party at Mr. Armytage’s,”’ replied Mere- dith. | ‘Ah! Armytage has just been here,” said the duke. “Tl saw him driving away in his carriage,’ observed Octavian, “‘ and bowed to him. But I wish, my dear duke, you could give me half an hour of serious conversation, and then I will cheerfully accompany you in a ride.”’ “Serious conversation, my dear Meredith?” ejaculated EORMICLIIOOKS (EO)