The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 285: what you’re looking at

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

254 REYNOLDS’ WORKS up to London, and he regularly furnished us with an income until the period of his flight. Since then we have experienced troubles and afflictions — ”’ Here Christina stopped short and burst into tears. Lady Octavian Meredith was much affected by the orphan girl’s narrative, and she spoke in a kind, soothing manner. Chris- tina, when again able to speak, informed her ladyship that she and her brother had resided six months at Mrs. Macau- lay’s, and upwards of two months at Mrs. Giles’s, both of whom could speak as to their characters and conduct. “Mrs. Giles is a most respectable woman,’ observed Zoe, “‘ and I am very certain that she would not recommend you to me unless perfectly assured that there was propriety in so doing. Forgive me if for a moment I have alluded to such matters as recommendations and so forth — ”’ “It is necessary, my lady, and it is better,’ replied Christina. ‘“ If I have the good fortune to please your lady- ship, I should wish to enter your house in the fullest confi- dence that you are satisfied with me.”’ ‘““T am already satisfied, from everything which you have told me,” rejoined Lady Octavian Meredith, ‘‘ and I will request my husband to use his interest to procure some suit- able situation for your brother. I can understand, from all you have said, that 1t would be painful for you to separate from that brother, but you have my free permission to receive him as often as he may choose to call upon you, — the oftener the better, for it will do me good to behold you happy and contented. I am already much interested in you, Miss Ashton, and I am grateful that Mrs. Giles should have coun- selled you to visit my house to-day.”’ Christina expressed her warmest thanks for all these kind assurances, and Lady Octavian Meredith proceeded, in the most delicate and considerate manner, to intimate the terms which she proposed to offer any young lady whom she might select as her friend. In a word, the compact was formed, and Christina promised to remove to her ladyship’s house on the morrow. ‘“T shall take the liberty of requesting Mrs. Giles,”’ said Christina, when rising to depart, ‘‘ to call upon your ladyship in the course of the day, that she may confirm, so far as she knows me, the representations that I have made, and as she is acquainted with my former landlady, she can give Gomicbooks (E(0)