The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

THE LEGEND 15 happiness of all three would be irremediably ruined. I there- fore feigned unconsciousness, and the terrible energy which inspired my soul enabled me to play my part without ex- citing a suspicion in the breast of either Octavian or Christina. And then I received the most unmistakable evidences of Christina’s affectionate and devoted friendship, as well as of the deep, compassionating regard which my husband en- tertained for me. A dangerous illness followed; for many days I was insensible, — there was indeed no dissimulation there. And all that while Christina attended upon me as if she were my sister; she would not quit my chamber, and from the physician’s lips did I subsequently receive the as- surance that to the amiable and devoted Christina I owed my life. So soon as I approached convalescence, Christina intimated her intention to leave me. Full well did I com- prehend the generous and noble-hearted girl’s motive in adopting this course. I saw that her heart had not remained insensible to the personal appearance, the elegant manners, and captivating address of my husband, but that her own innate sense of propriety, as well as her friendship for me, had thus determined her in quitting a home which under other circumstances would have been such a happy one.”’ Here Zoe paused for a few moments, and effectually struggled to keep back the tears which had flowed up almost to the brims of her eyes from the very fountains of her heart. She then continued in the following manner: ‘“Some weeks passed after Christina left me, and I began to think that we ought not to remain altogether asunder, for I loved her as a sister, and I knew that she loved me with an equal depth of affection. Besides, she had saved my life, and I was incapable of ingratitude. I was also anxious to prevent her from suspecting that I had comprehended the motives which had induced her to leave me, for [ had struggled hard at the time to veil what was passing in my own bosom. [ resolved to see her, and taking advantage of an opportunity when I fancied that Lord Octavian would be absent on a visit to his father, I wrote to Christina, requesting her to come to me. She did so, and I saw how deeply she was affected on perceiving that my health was far from being restored. Something occurred to take Octavian’s father suddenly and unexpectedly out of town; he could not therefore pay the intended visit, and he returned home. He found Christina EOMINGIOOKS (C(O)