The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

18 REYNOLDS’ WORKS he spoke vehemently and frantically of my self-martyrdom. On the other hand, the conduct of Christina was admirable; it was full of deepest pathos and true maiden dignity. There was in it a world of generous feeling on my account, together with the unmistakable assertion of her own virtu- ous principles and innate sense of rectitude. She rebuked Octavian when he dared speak of his love for her; she told him what his duty was toward myself. She urged him to ac- company me to the Continent. But I will not dwell upon the scene; I cannot — my heart melts within me at the bare recollection. When I knew that it was drawing to a close, I sped up to my own chamber, and Heaven alone can tell what preternatural fortitude was conceded to me to enable me to assume an air of calm composure, or at least of tran- quil resignation, when Christina glided into my presence. Methinks that the amiable girl herself fancied I must have overheard what had just passed, or at least that I did indeed suspect the love which Octavian bore for her. Her depre- cating looks seemed to ask my pardon that she should be, although so innocent, the cause of my unhappiness. But no word escaped the lips of either of us to give unmistakable expression to what we knew, or thought, or felt, or appre- hended. Our farewells were exchanged amidst tears and lamentations at being thus severed, and Christina disap- peared from my presence. Then I came abroad.” Here Zoe suddenly ceased, and Clarine, taking her hand, pressed it affectionately. She perceived two tears tracing their pearly path down Zoe’s cheeks. The kind-hearted French lady gazed with tenderest sympathy upon her English friend, and the latter, suddenly wiping away those tears, started up, saying, ‘‘ Come, Clarine, let us return to the chateau.” They walked on in silence for some minutes, both engaged in their reflections, for Clarine herself was now deeply pre- occupied. At length awakening from her own reverie, she said, ‘‘ You have told me your sad tale, dear Zoe, more com- pletely than you had previously revealed it, but still you have not extended your confidence far enough to make me aware how you expect all this to end. Your health is im- proving, the colour is returning to your cheeks, you may have yet perhaps a long life before you, and you can- not remain for ever afar from your native land, separated CORNIClIOOKS (E(0)