The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

MONSIEUR VOLNEY 33d of Clarine’s woe, it was difficult to shape her words in a form calculated to convey the solace she would fain impart. “ Yes, I will tell you what it is that thus afflicts me,” at length said Clarine. ‘‘ It was a tale I heard yesterday — last evening.”’ ‘“‘ After we separated for the night?’’ inquired Zoe, in _ surprise, ‘‘ for until that hour, my dear Clarine, methought that you were in good spirits, and all the more so on account of your father’s kindness in respect to the piano.”’ ‘‘ Ah, my poor father!’ murmured Clarine, in a voice of the profoundest melancholy. ‘“ Good heavens, what is it that you can have Ue adt exclaimed Zoe. ‘‘ Was it some revelation which old Mar- suerite may have taken it into her head to make? ’’ for her ladyship could conceive no other source whence Clarine might have received any such revelation after the hour for retiring to rest. ‘““ Yes, Marguerite, it was Marguerite,’’ said Clarine, hastily. ‘“ But I will tell you, my dear Zoe, what I have learned. A veil has fallen from my eyes, and I have obtained an insight into the past which has most cruelly afflicted me.” The young lady paused for a few moments; she was evi- dently struggling to compose her feelings as much as possible, and at length she addressed Zoe in the following manner: ‘“ My father in his former years was of a very different disposition from what he now appears to be. He was gay and sprightly, he loved society, though he never was dissipa- ted nor irregular in his conduct. On the contrary, he ever bore the highest reputation for moral worth, honourable behaviour, and lofty feelings. He possessed a very dear _ friend of about his own age, and of a somewhat higher standing in society. This was the Viscount Delorme, the the bearer of an ancient title as well as the possessor of great wealth. They had been fellow students together at college, they made the Continental tour together, and though no bonds of kinship united them, yet was it a more than friend- ship which held them together, it was a true fraternal love. The Viscount Delorme has been described to me as one of the handsomest as well as the most elegant and fascinating of men. He married a young and beautiful lady, who died in giving birth to a son. “The viscount was inconsolable for her loss. He shut (C(O) CORnICLOOKS