The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 335: what you’re looking at

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

304 - REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘““May I expect the pleasure of dancing again with you this evening? ”’ he inquired in a tone of earnest appeal, as he conducted her back to her seat. ‘‘ I beg your lordship to excuse me,”’ replied Christina, and the response was given with a firmness which again sent a pang through Meredith’s heart. ‘But this is most unkind,” he said, almost passionately, though in a very low voice. ‘‘ At least we are friends? You do not answer me,” and then, after a moment’s pause, he added, ‘‘ Christina, you will drive me to despair.”’ “One word, my lord,’’ rejoined the young maiden, firmly. ““T cannot be guilty of so much ridiculous affectation as to pretend to be ignorant of these allusions, but I beseech your lordship to understand that I shall regard your conduct in the light of a persecution if you persist in it.”’ Having thus spoken, Christina rose from the seat to which she had been conducted, and proceeded to join Lady An- astatia, who was now conversing with Christian and two or three others on the opposite side of the apartment. In one sense it cost Christina a severe pang to behave in this manner toward Lord Octavian, but in another sense she was rejoiced, — yes, absolutely rejoiced, because she felt that she had done her duty, and there was a glowing approval within the region of her own conscience. As for Lord Octavian himself, nothing could exceed the distress of mind that he experienced, although he had sufficient fortitude to avoid the outward — betrayal thereof. Issuing from the saloon, he went forth upon the landing, to obtain if possible a less heated atmos- phere, for his brows were fevered and were throbbing vio- lently. He passed on into the refreshment-room, where he obtained some cooling beverage, and thence he entered a conservatory, where he found himself completely alone. Here he gave way to his reflections. Lady Anastatia Latham was conversing with some of her guests, as already stated, when a footman drawing near to the group hovered a few moments about it, in such a man- ner as to indicate that he wished to speak to his mistress. She moved away from her friends, and he said to her, “Please your ladyship, there is that person — Mr. Shadbolt — who has called again and requests a few minutes’ inter- view.”’ “Did you not tell him that I was particularly engaged? ”’ CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)