The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 265: what you’re looking at

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

236 REYNOLDS’ WORKS band from amidst the present circle of your acquaintance, your choice would fall upon Robert Stanley? Yes, you do not deny that it would be so. Let him therefore study to win your affections; let him not depart hence with the idea that there is no hope for him. Tell me, sweet Christina, that it shall be as I now suggest; and if the result should prove in accordance with my expectations, no secret shall be kept from him, all the past shall be candidly confessed, and I have much misread his character if the revelation will alter his sentiments toward you.” Christina reflected profoundly for some few moments, and then she said, her countenance brightening up with the resolve at which she had arrived, ‘‘ I see, my beloved brother, that you wish me to pursue a particular course, and I will not throw a damp upon your own spirits by refusing com- pliance. When you entered this room just now, you found me thoughtful. I was giving way to regret, I may even add to remorse, that a sentiment should have ever entered my heart — ”’ “Of that, dearest sister,’ interrupted Christian, ‘‘ we will speak no more. But on the other point, what is your decision? ”’ | ‘Captain Stanley,’’ replied Christina, ‘‘ is all manly frank- ness, and must be dealt with in the same spirit. If a hope must be encouraged in his mind, let him know the whole truth at once. But tell him, Christian, tell him,’’ added the young maiden, ‘‘ that never did I willingly listen to the language of love from Lord Octavian’s lips, that the sense of duty was ever paramount in my mind, and that never for a single instant did he receive encouragement, by look, word, or deed, on my part. And now go to him at once.” The brother again embraced the sister, and he hurried from her boudoir. He sought Captain Stanley; the explana- tions which he gave were frank and complete. The young officer now comprehended wherefore Christina had refused him without at the time entering into explanations of her own accord and with her own lips; he understood likewise why Christian had himself appeared to hesitate when in the library his assent was asked that he (Stanley) might pay his addresses to his sister. Every exulting hope was resuscitated in the heart of the young officer, and he warmly expressed his gratitude for Gomiuicbdoc <S (E()