The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

50 REYNOLDS’ WORKS “Rest assured, Miss Ashton,” responded Meredith, hastening to set himself altogether right in her estimation with regard to one point which he felt might need an ex- planatory word, “ that if I had known where you dwelt, I should have at once conveyed you thither, but I never knew — I was never told — and — and —I never dared to ask.”’ ‘With a renewed expression of my thanks to your lord- ship,’ said Christina, rising from her seat, “‘ I will now take my departure.’”’ Then, as a sudden thought struck her, she added, ‘‘ May I request that one of the domestics be desired to fetch a vehicle to take me to my home? ”’ ‘“ My carriage is at your service,’ replied Meredith, who comprehended the meaning of Christina’s request. ‘‘ Hesi- tate not to make use of it, for most solemnly do I pledge my word that I will not inquire of the domestics who are in attendance upon it, where you dwell.” Christina liked not the arrangement, but she dared not fling another insult at the young nobleman by rejecting it, which would have been tantamount to an expression of mistrust in respect to the pledge he had just given her. She therefore said with modest bashfulness, “‘ I will avail myself of your lordship’s kindness.” “O Christina!’’ suddenly exclaimed Meredith, carried completely away by his feelings of devoted love and ardent admiration, as he gazed upon the beautiful being who stood before him, ‘‘ wherefore thus cold and distant? Wherefore so freezing in your manner? My God, will you not bestow one kind look upon me, Christina? ”’ ““My lord,” she said, with a calm dignity, “you will not ungenerously avail yourself of the painful and embar- rassing position into which circumstances have thrown me — 9) ‘“O Christina, one word, —only one word!” he vehe- mently cried. ‘“‘Isitasin to love you? Is it a crime to con- centrate all my hopes of happiness in this world upon one idea, — the idea that you may yet be my own adored and cherished wife? ”’ ‘“‘ My lord, I cannot —I will not listen to this language,”’ exclaimed Christina; ‘it is an insult to Zoe, — an insult to myself,’”? and she moved toward the door. ‘“ Now,” cried Meredith, ‘‘if you depart in anger, you ECORNICLIOOKS im