The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

CAPTAIN STANLEY 223 appreciate her worth, and the more did she become endeared to him by her many amiable qualities. A strong friendship had sprung up between the young Duke of Marchmont and Captain Stanley, and the latter therefore gladly availed himself of this circumstance to visit frequently at the mansion in Belgrave Square. The regiment to which he belonged was now quartered at Houns- low, and therefore a short ride at any time took the young officer to Marchmont House. Notwithstanding the manly frankness of his disposition, there was a considerable degree of diffidence associated with the feelings of his love for Christina. The natural delicacy of his mind, moreover, sug- gested to him that he ought not to proffer his attentions too pointedly while the young lady still wore a deep mourning garb on account of the incidents that had lately occurred at Oaklands, and the same reason prevented him from confi- dentially whispering to her brother that her beauty and her good qualities had made so strong an impression upon his heart. Thus, as several weeks passed on, the young Duke of Marchmont suspected not that Robert Stanley was enam- oured of his sister, while Lady Christina Vivian herself was equally unsuspicious that she had thus become the object of his attachment. Six months had now elapsed since the memorable events at Oaklands, and the period fixed for the nuptials of the young Duke of Marchmont and Miss Isabella Vincent was close at hand. Previous to the arrival of the happy moment, Christian resolved to pass a week or ten days at Oaklands, that he might there entertain a select party of his numerous friends. Christina as a matter of course accompanied her brother, and amongst the guests were Sir Edgar and Lady Beverley, Sir Frederick and Lady Anastatia Latham, and Captain Stanley. Isabella Vincent was remaining at her mansion at Kensington, in company with an elderly female relative, making preparations for the bridal. Sir William Stanley was invited to join the party at Oaklands, but he had previously been summoned to London by the govern- ment for some purpose with which his son remained unac- quainted. We should observe that Sir William was a man of considerable influence in the northern counties, one of which he had until within the last few years represented in Parliament, but having been compelled to visit India, he GOMIIGdoOGC SS) (S©)