The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

24 REYNOLDS’ WORKS “Yes; but I am convinced that when we left that country- seat my father had no fixed idea where he was about to settle his future abode. It was not his intention to remain in the village, nor near it. According to the few words he let fall upon the subject at the time, I have reason to believe that he thought of passing into Spain. It was only after an acci- dental visit to the chateau, during one of his rambles, that he suddenly took it into his head to settle himself there. You see, my dear Zoe, I have no reason for believing that my father lost any of his property beyond the simple fact of his abandoning such a beautiful residence in order to shut himself up in this old place.”’ ‘* Perhaps, after all,’’ suggested Lady Octavian, ‘‘ Monsieur Volney is as rich as ever he was, but inasmuch as seclusion suits the temper of his mind far better than even the limited society which you appear to have had in the neighbourhood of Fontainebleau, he has chosen to bury himself in the chateau? ”’ ‘““ It may be so,” answered Clarine; ‘‘ but my father never speaks to me of his affairs, and I never ask him any questions. You see he never receives any visitors except the worthy old priest, and I believe that I should not have enjoyed the happiness of your society, my dear Zoe, unless it were that my father had one day bethought himself I might possibly find my mode of existence monotonously dull.” ‘“‘ Yes, indeed,’’ observed Zoe, rather in a musing manner than speaking expressly to be overheard by Clarine, “‘ it does seem hard to debar you from all society.” “Oh, I require none,’ exclaimed Clarine, hastily, — ‘none more than I now possess. I can assure you I do not,” she added, with a degree of earnestness which appeared un- necessary for the enforcement of the simple assurance which she thus gave. They now reached the chateau, and after a temporary separation to their respective chambers, in order to put off their walking apparel, they met in the drawing-room. About an hour afterward a cart drew up to the front of the chateau. Clarine, running to the window, perceived that it contained the newly purchased piano. It was brought up into the drawing-room, the tradesman himself having accom- panied it in order to see that it was properly taken care of by his men. When he had superintended all that was neces- CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)