The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

14 REYNOLDS’ WORKS repent the sacrifice you are making. But do not give way to melancholy meditations; fortify yourself with all that courage which has hitherto so well sustained you, and if friendship has any soothing power, you know, dearest Zoe, that you possess mine.” ‘““T know it, Clarine,” answered Lady Octavian. ‘“‘ And now I feel inclined to unbosom myself more completely than I have ever yet done toward you. Listen, and I will give you my narrative in a continuous and connected form, for hitherto you have only heard it partially and piecemeal.” ‘‘ Do not speak of it,’’ said Clarine, “‘ if it will distress you.”’ ‘“On the contrary,” replied Lady Octavian, ‘‘ methinks it will have a soothing effect. You are already aware, Clarine,’’ she continued, ‘‘ that when I accompanied Lord Octavian to the altar, I deeply, deeply loved him— I deeply love him still. J have told you how I received into the house a young, amiable, and beautiful creature, named Christina Ashton. I believed at that time that I possessed my husband’s love as sincerely and as firmly as he possessed mine. Not for a single instant did I imagine it possible that he could look with love upon another, and I am bound to de- clare my conviction that the soul of Christina is as pure and virtuous as her person is beautiful. I supposed that my husband entertained a generous friendship toward a young lady who had experienced adversity, and the little attentions he paid her were mistaken by me for the evidences of that kind and disinterested feeling. I was one day destined to be most rudely awakened from this dream into which I had lulled myself — yes, cruelly indeed was I startled into a conviction of the truth. Lord Octavian was driving Christina and myself in an open chaise, when the horses ran away, and the vehicle was upset. I was not stunned, I was not even stupefied. I was merely bruised and hurt to some trifling ex- tent, but from Octavian’s lips rang forth the most passionate exclamations of alarm and despair — not in respect to my- self, but on behalf of Christina. I was smitten with a fearful consternation; all the sources of life appeared to be sud- denly paralyzed and frozen in me,—and yet my mind instantaneously recovered a horrible degree of clearness. ‘‘ Quick as lightning did the resolve take possession of me that I would not betray my knowledge of those words which had rung from Octavian’s lips, for I felt that if I did the CORNICLIIOOKS im