The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XxXI CHRISTINA AND LORD OCTAVIAN It was, as already stated, a sorrowful thing for Christian and Christina to separate from each other; nevertheless there were many circumstances to alleviate the bitterness of the pangs thus felt. Each had obtained an excellent situ- ation, and this good fortune had overtaken them both suddenly, at a period when their circumstances were wearing the most deplorable aspect. Besides, youth is not the time when hearts sink irreclaimably into despondency, and more- over, the twins had the solace of knowing that they should meet frequently, and [that in a day or two their first inter- view after their separation might take place. Thus, by the time that Christina reached her destination in the cab which bore her thither, her tears were dried, and she had composed herself in order to appear with at least a placid if not a cheerful look in the presence of Lady Octa- vian Meredith. His lordship was not at home when she arrived; indeed he was out purposely. For the reader may conceive with what astonishment, mingled with trepidation, it was that he learned on the preceding day how accident had led his wife to engage none other than the beautiful Christina Ashton as her companion. His first impulse had been to start an objection, but a second thought had shown him that he could not. He had already cheerfully given the amiable Zoe permission to have such a companion; he dared not now confess to her everything that had passed in respect to himself, Christina, and the duel, and without giving some such explanations, it would appear simply whimsical and capricious in him to remonstrate against the special choice which his wife had made. He was therefore constrained to leave matters as they thus stood, but to devise some means 271 (EO AMIE NO KS () (E(O)