The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 284: what you’re looking at

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

STRUGGLES 253 The reader must bear in mind that Zoe was utterly igno- rant of the acquaintance of her husband with Christina, equally unaware of the adventure in the park nine weeks back, equally unaware also of the duel which had followed. On the other hand, Christina was as completely ignorant that accident had brought her to the house belonging to him whom she only knew as Mr. Percival, and of course equally ignorant that she was in the presence of that indi- vidual’s wife. ‘“‘T thank your ladyship,’’ answered Miss Ashton, “ for the explanations you have given me, and I fully appreciate the delicate terms in which they have been conveyed. With equal frankness will I place before your ladyship the humble claims which I have to submit to your notice. I was well educated, and was instructed in some few accomplishments, though I am not vain enough to say that I possess any. I am fond of music, I love drawing in water colours or with pencil, I am equally attached to a certain style of reading, — chiefly history, biography, books of travel, and such instructive works. I have every disposition to render my- self agreeable and useful, and I may confidently add that I shall repay with gratitude whatsoever kindness is shown me. My position is somewhat a painful one. I have a twin brother, and we are orphans. We are likewise friendless. A recent calamity has deprived us of the resources which we previously possessed —I allude to the sudden flight of a person who lived on the other side of the Regent’s Park — ”’ “Do you mean Mr. Preston? ”’ inquired Zoe, with some degree of surprise. | “The same, my lady,’’ answered Christina. ‘And it was my own father, Mr. Armytage,’’ rejoined Zoe, ‘“‘ who first discovered that man’s delinquencies, and I regret to say that he too has suffered by them. Is he a relation of yours? ”’ “Oh, no, my lady!” responded Christina; ‘‘ we have not to our knowledge any relations in the world. Our parents died when we were quite young; we were brought up by an uncle, who was a widower, and to him were we indebted for the good education we received. He died suddenly, and immediately after the funeral, Mr. Preston announced him- self to us as the person to whom we had thenceforth to look for supplies of money. It was by his desire that we came e¢om (@) LOOK KS (E(0)