The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 286: what you’re looking at

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

STRUGGLES 209 your ladyship such assurances as Mrs. Macaulay herself would impart if referred to.’ ‘It is by no means necessary,”’ answered Zoe, “‘ but in- asmuch as I see that it will satisfy you, Miss Ashton, you can bid Mrs. Giles call upon me presently.”’ Zoe rose from her seat, and extended her hand with sweet- est affability to Christina, who, with renewed thanks and with joy in her heart, took her leave. Thus, while Christina was retracing her way across the Regent’s Park, Christian, having alighted from the omnibus, was speeding along Albany Street, also in a homeward direction. Neither had the faintest suspicion of the good fortune which had sud- denly smiled upon the other; each heart was full of joy on the other’s account. But that of Christina was somewhat shaded, because in her case it was settled that she must sep- arate from her brother; whereas in Christian’s case it had been left by the Duke of Marchmont to his own option as to whether he should live at the mansion in Belgrave Square, or still continue to reside with his sister. Christina reached the lodging first, and at once informed Mrs. Giles of the success of her visit to Lady Octavian Meredith. She likewise requested the worthy woman to call upon her ladyship in the course of the day. “That I shall do with pleasure,’ was the response cheer- fully given; ‘ indeed I shall set off at once, and you may de- pend upon it, my dear young lady, I shall say everything in your favour which you so fully deserve.”’ | Christina hastened up-stairs, and scarcely had she put off her walking apparel, when Christian came rushing up as if he were wild. He burst into the room, and folding his sister in a warm embrace, cried, “ Joy, joy, darling Christina. I have succeeded at length.”’ ‘And I too, my beloved brother, have succeeded in some- thing,’ she responded, with an almost equal exultation. Christian contemplated her with surprise, and mutual explanations were speedily given. But Christian was now saddened at the idea of separating from his sister. “ His Grace,” he said, mournfully, ‘‘ left it to me to decide whether I would live at his mansion, or continue to dwell with you, and I had arranged in my mind such a nice little plan of removing into the neighbourhood of Belgrave Square, so that we might be together — ”’ »] com () LOVOKOLKS (E(O)