The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XII CHRISTINA Srx weeks had elapsed since the bridal ceremony; it was now the middle of October, and the young couple, having returned to London, took possession of a house in Regent’s Park, on the side exactly facing the abode of Mr. Armytage. Zoe naturally wished to be near her father, whom she might thus see daily, or at least very often, and Lord Octavian Meredith, having no particular choice as to the place of his residence, cheerfully carried out the wishes of his beauteous bride. During the honeymoon he had found no reason to be disappointed in the estimate which he had previously formed of Zoe’s intellect, temper, and disposition. All the excellent traits of her mind — and she had no bad ones — developed themselves in a manner full well calculated to rivet her husband’s affections, if they were susceptible of such adhesion unto her. She was all gentleness and amia- bility, candour and truthfulness, ingenuousness and inno- cence. Her love, being crowned by happiness, appeared to render her beauty more angelically fascinating, if indeed there had been any room for such enhancement of her charms. In short, Lord Octavian Meredith had every reason to be the happiest and most contented of men. One afternoon, a few days after the return of the young couple from the watering-place, Lord Octavian had occasion to call upon Mr. Armytage on some little business connected with the settlement of Zoe’s dowry. Weshould observe that during the interval since the marriage, Mr. Armytage had entirely recovered from his attack of gout, and had become as bustling and active asever. The business between himself and his son-in-law was speedily concluded, and Octavian took his leave, to retrace his way on foot across the park to his own 165 hi EORMICLINOOKS (EO)