The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 366: what you’re looking at

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

UNCONSCIOUS REVELATIONS 330 thanks for the service you have rendered one for whom she cherishes a sisterly affection.” This portion of the dialogue took place in the road from which the lane diverged, and the gate of the villa was now in sight. Scarcely had the young maiden given the answer just placed upon record, when a gentleman on horseback was seen rapidly approaching, and Christina at once recognized Lord Octavian Meredith. She instantaneously became aware of the necessity of maintaining all her fortitude, her firmness, and her feminine dignity, for the conviction smote her that he was there in that neighbourhood to seek an in- terview with herself, perhaps a parting one, before he ful- filled his promise by going abroad to rejoin Zoe. Captain Stanley did not notice that anything peculiar had at the moment transpired to startle his fair companion, for she was indeed startled for a single instant on recognizing Lord Octavian. As for his lordship himself, he suddenly drew in his bridle and brought his steed to a halt at a distance of about twenty yards from Christina and Captain Stanley. Then, the next moment, he abruptly wheeled around his horse and galloped away. ‘That gentleman appears to have taken the wrong road,” observed the captain, utterly unsuspicious of how well Christina was acquainted with him, “ and he has only this instant perceived his mistake.”’ ‘Perhaps so,” said the young maiden, scarcely knowing what she did say, for all her self-possession abandoned her as a sudden thought flashed in unto her brain. Was it possible that Meredith could have fancied she was walking with a rival, that it was a suitor for her hand whom he beheld in her company, and who with the familiarity of intimacy had dismounted from his horse in order that he might the more conveniently and agreeably enjoy the pleasures of discourse? Innocent and artless though Christina were, yet no young lady of her age could be so utterly in- experienced in the ways of the world as not at once to per- ceive how naturally and even reasonably a suspicion of that sort might strike the mind of Lord Octavian Meredith. The gate of the villa was now reached, and Captain Stanley said, with a polite bow, “I will do myself the pleasure of calling to-morrow. But you have not honoured me by saying for whom I am to inquire? ”’ EGOMIGIOOKS (C(O)