The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 262: what you’re looking at

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

CAPTAIN STANLEY 233 ness. ‘‘ There may be family secrets — And besides, it is natural, it is proper that you should be desirous to consult your sister.” Having thus spoken, Stanley hurried from the room. Christian immediately afterward sought his sister in her boudoir, to which she had retired. He found Christina seated in a pensive mood; indeed, her thoughts were so profoundly absorbed in their topic that she did not hear the door open. It was not until her brother was close by her side that she was aware of his presence. Then, instan- taneously assuming a smiling countenance, she welcomed him with her wonted affection. ‘“‘My dear sister,” said the young duke, ‘‘ I am come to speak to you on a serious subject.” ‘“‘T can anticipate it,’ she answered, ‘‘ and I should have taken the first opportunity to inform you of what occurred this morning, in addition to the particulars with which you are already acquainted. Captian Stanley honoured me with the offer of his hand — and I refused it.’ “You refused it, my dear Christina,’’ said the young duke, placing himself by her side on the sofa where she was seated, taking her hand, and regarding her with the ten- derest fraternal love. ‘‘ You refused — but tell me why, Christina? Give me your confidence, as you have ever given it to me.” | ‘““T have no secret, Christian, unknown to you,’ she replied. “I regard Captain Stanley as a friend, but I do not love him as I feel that one ought to love him who is accepted as a husband. You know everything, my dear Christian, — you know why I do not love Robert Stanley, and why I cannot love him.”’ Thus speaking, the young maiden threw her arms about her brother’s neck, and she reposed her blushing countenance upon his shoulder. “Tell me, my sweet sister, tell me,’’ he softly asked, “does your mind still cherish an image which, in spite of all your virtue and purity, made its impression there? ”’ “No, Christian, no,’ responded his sister, raising her head and meeting his gaze with the steadiness of one con- scious that she was speaking the truth, and proudly satisfied with herself that she was enabled to proclaim such a truth. ‘I have succeeded in triumphing over that weakness, that COnNICLOOKS (S©)