The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 287: what you’re looking at

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

256 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘“ But, my dear brother,’ interrupted Christina, though with tears in her eyes, ‘‘ we must resign ourselves to this sepa- ration. From what you have told me, the Duke of March- mont offers you fifty guineas a year, — a most liberal sum, if you dwell in his mansion, but it would instantly become a small one if you resided in lodgings and had to support me. Lady Octavian Meredith offers me sixty guineas a year, and I am to dwell with her. We can both save considerably from our incomes, and perhaps, my dear brother, in the course of time our economies will enable us to reside together again. Besides, Lady Octavian assures me that the oftener you call upon me the better she shall be pleased, and the Duke of Marchmont has informed you that you will have plenty of time at your own disposal. We may see each other daily, or nearly every day; we may walk out together— Oh, indeed, dear Christian, we shall make ourselves happy! And remember what a change these few brief hours have suddenly worked for us. Last night we ate the bread of bitterness; to-day we shall eat the bread of happiness. This morning we rose in mournfulness from our respective beds; to-night we shall lay ourselves upon our pillows with hope, consolation, and thankfulness in our hearts. We shall close our eyes in slumber without the dread of the morrow’s awakening.” Christian could offer no remonstrances against this rea- soning on his sister’s part, and the arrangements were there- fore to the effect that he should return in the course of the day to the Duke of Marchmont to state the decision to which he had come, so that on the morrow he might remove to his Grace’s mansion, at the same time that his sister took up her residence with Lady Octavian Meredith. In the course of a couple of hours Mrs. Giles returned from her visit to Zoe, and she now learned the good fortune which had simultaneously overtaken Christian. She con- gratulated the twins with the most genuine sincerity, and placing an envelope in Christina’s hand, said, ‘‘ Lady Octavian Meredith is already so deeply interested in you, and is so fearful of losing you, that she has desired me to tender you this as a ratification of the compact.” Mrs. Giles then hastened from the room, and Christina, — on opening the envelope, found that it contained a bank- note for twenty pounds. The orphans were deeply touched Gomichbooks (E(0)