The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

THE DUCHESS OF MARCHMONT oe at all. Nevertheless, Eliza’s self-possession remained. The astonishment which she experienced at her own fortitude amounted almost to a feeling of gladness; and thus was it with a smile and with all her habitual sweetness of manner that she gave Hugh her hand, welcoming him to Oaklands. Lord Clandon’s demeanour was alike respectful and friendly, or it might be termed delicately courteous, toward her whom, though three years younger than himself, mar- riage had made his aunt. The duke and Sir William Lomax remained chatting with them for a few minutes, and then the former, taking the baronet’s arm, sauntered away to another part of the room, for the purpose of leaving his wife and nephew to get over the first restraints and awk- wardness of an introduction and become better acquainted with each other. Eliza resumed her seat; Lord Clandon, with fashionable ease, sank upon a chair near her, and at once began to converse on the current topics of the day. He spoke of the Italian opera, of the last new novel, of a drama which had made “a great hit,’’ and of two or three approaching “‘ marriages in high life.’”” Then he spoke of his travels in foreign parts, and he related several adventures which had befallen him, but in a pleasing manner, and with- out any offensive egotism. He was evidently a man of the world, well accustomed to all the usages of the sphere in which he moved, and by his discourse the impression was conveyed that he had a great deal of frankness and high-mindedness in his disposition. Such was the opinion Eliza formed of him, and indeed it ‘was all the more natural she should do so, not merely be- cause there was no appearance on his part of a studied straining to make that impression, but likewise because he spoke in the kindest and most dutiful terms of his uncle, at the same time treating the duchess herself with a courtesy which had all the friendliness proper to subsist between relatives, and all the respect which so young a man was bound in delicacy to show toward the still more youthful bride of an elderly relation. Presently Lord Clandon was introduced to Captain Lacey; and when the latter, after some little conversation, had re- tired to the card-room, to form one at a rubber of whist, Lord Clandon said to Eliza, ‘‘ Is it possible that you ever resided at Oxford? ”’ com (@) IDoOOkKsS (E(0)