The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 207: what you’re looking at

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

180 REYNOLDS’ WORKS to himself the advantage which his feigned name gave him in the matter. It was not until Meredith entered the young people’s sitting-room that he entertained any particular idea of whom he should find with Christina, — whether she was living with parents or relatives, nor, indeed, in what circum- stances she was placed, — save. and except that he knew she had a brother, with whom he had seen her walking on a few occasions, as he had stated to the Duke of March- mont. He had longed to ask the servant who opened the door some few questions; but he was fearful that such curiosity, on being reported to those whom it concerned, would act prejudicially against him, and therefore he had abstained. ‘“ According to my promise, Miss Ashton,” he said, as he entered the apartment, “‘ I am here to make you aware of my safety.” | He extended his hand toward the young girl, who gav him hers, with an ingenuous frankness, for she felt that she lay under a deep obligation to one who had delivered her from a gross insult, and who, by the very words which had just fallen from his lips, had evidently been compelled to risk his life on her account. In the same artless manner she renewed her thanks for his chivalrous conduct, and timidly but sincerely expressed her delight that no serious consequences had ensued. ‘“'None, Miss Ashton,’”’ answered Meredith. ‘‘ I went out with Mr. Stanhope, — for that is the name of the gentle- man who insulted you, — and no harm was done. I need not ask if this be your brother,’ and thus speaking he turned toward Christian, to whom he with well-bred affability proffered his hand, which was accepted with all the frank- ness of unsuspicious youth. Octavian sat down, and began conversing with the twins upon a variety of topics. He learned from them that they had been six months in the metropolis, that their parents had been long dead, that they were brought up by an uncle, a gentleman of some little property, who dwelt in a remote © village in the northern part of England, and that they possessed not, to their knowledge, any relatives now upon the face of the earth. These little pieces of information came out during the discourse, but the twins did not mention ECORNICLIOO KS (E(0)