The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER V THE SOLEMN INJUNCTION THE ladies presently retraced their way toward the chateau. Clarine had now become more calm; indeed she was evi- dently doing her best to compose her feelings and tranquil- lize her countenance, in case she should meet her father. Zoe considerately avoided a return to the topic of the pre- vious conversation, for she understood full well wherefore Mademoiselle Volney was thus endeavouring to conquer her feelings, or at least to assume an outward serenity, and her amiable English friend would not willingly disturb her in that attempt. Zoe therefore discoursed upon general sub- jects, as they slowly wended their way back to the old chateau, but Clarine only answered in a few words, sometimes in mere monosyllables; she was deeply preoccupied. When the chateau was reached, the ladies separated to their chambers for the purpose of putting off their walking apparel, and Zoe had now more leisure to reflect upon all that she had so recently heard. It was indeed, as she herself had expressed it, a tale of wildest romance; and well, too well did it account for Monsieur Volney’s sombre moods, for his love of self-isolation, and for those long, solitary walks which he was in the habit of taking, as if thereby courting opportunities to be as much alone as possible with his own thoughts. But there was one thing which bewildered Lady Octavian Meredith. She could not possibly conceive for what motive Marguerite had made such painful revelations to Clarine Volney. The old Frenchwoman had the air of a person possessed of generous feelings, her kindness toward Clarine had been the subject of the young lady’s grateful eulogy; but Zoe could only regard that lifting of the veil from the mysteries of the past as a most unnecessary piece 43 CORNICLOOOKS (CO) im