The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER VI THE PRECIPICE WHEN Lady Octavian Meredith met Monsieur Volney and Clarine at the breakfast-table, she perceived that the coun- tenance of the former was more pale, more haggard, and more care-worn than she had as yet seen it, and that Clarine’s cheeks had likewise lost their colour. She herself was pallid and much indisposed, through having passed so troubled a night; there was little conversation, and no one asked the cause why the others were dull. Doubtless Monsieur Volney fancied that the conversation which he had with his daughter in his study on the preceding evening had affected her spirits, but Zoe attributed her friend’s mournfulness to her know]- edge of all those mysteries which so intimately regarded her sire. Immediately after breakfast, Monsieur Volney quitted the room, and the ladies were left to themselves. Zoe at once proposed that they should go forth to walk, for she fancied that the fresh air and the cheerful aspect of nature would have a healthful influence over herself, and would tend to improve the spirits of her friend Clarine. Mademoiselle Volney at once assented, and they went forth together. ‘Wherefore, my dear friend,’’ asked Lady Octavian, ‘‘ do you not endeavour to surmount this melancholy which has taken possession of you? Believe me, dear Clarine, your father cannot fail shortly to perceive — ”’ “ Zoe,” interrupted Mademoiselle Volney, suddenly, and speaking as if with a strange, wild gust of feeling, “ you know — you know not how wretchedly unhappy I am!’ ‘““T know it, my sweet friend,’’ responded Lady Octavian, in a deeply compassionating tone, “‘ and I need not assure 58 CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)