The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 188: what you’re looking at

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

CHRISTINA 161 ‘What do you mean? ”’ cried Meredith, in astonishment. ‘Will you let me know, sir,’ inquired the young girl, timidly and bashfully, “‘ the name of him to whom I am under such deep obligations? ”’ Octavian now understood herina moment. She purposed to give the proper authorities notice that a duel was to take place, and she hoped that by adopting this course, she would prevent it without suffering his own honour to be compro- mised. But in the first place, Octavian was no coward, and indeed thought lightly of the prospect of the impending duel, and in the second place he saw that if the authorities were to interfere to prevent it, the worst construction would be put on such a result by his antagonist, who would doubtless proclaim to the world that Meredith himself had deliberately prompted the young girl to give private intimation to the magistrate. So rapidly did all these thoughts flash through his mind that there was no apparent interval of hesitation or reflection on his part, ere he replied to the query she had put, by saying in a collected offhand manner, “ My name is Richard Percival.” “Then, Mr. Percival,’’ immediately added the young girl, ‘accept my gratitude for your generous conduct toward me.”’ With a graceful inclination of the head, she was hastening away, but Octavian was almost immediately by her side, saying, ‘ Will you not suffer me to learn who it is to whom I have been enabled to render the service which is deemed deserving of thanks? ”’ The young girl stopped short, and reflected gravely for a few moments. It was evident enough that she was deliber- ating whether she should tell her name; it was also evident that she feared it would savour of ingratitude and actual rudeness to decline, for she at length observed, slowly, “‘ You have a right to ask this question, sir. My name is Christina Ashton.” “ Then, Miss Ashton,” at once responded Lord Octavian Meredith, ‘‘ you will permit me to escort you to your own residence, for fear lest you should again encounter any indi- vidual who, wearing the garb of a gentleman, possesses the attributes of a ruffian, and is unable to appreciate the inno- cence and the respectability which ought to be a sufficient shield against such treatment as you ere now experienced.” ‘ese Com a LOOKS (C(@)