The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 281: what you’re looking at

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270 stapor of surprise and bewilderment into whieh he had been thrown by the closing seene-of that strange interview; and he then began to reflect with an intense and absorbing interest on every- thing which hdd fallen from the lady’s lipa. He passed in review all the detaile of her remarks—he-. weighed her words with a minute earéfuloess—he | eonsidered all the pesstble bearings and every pro- pable tendency which they might have. kt wae not diffeult to perecerve that she was well ae- quaimted with his position ; and she had alee ma- naged to probe the natare of his secrat thoughts to no mean depth. Bat: who was -she ?—and ‘what assistance could she possibly lend Mr. Clarendon in order fo raise hins fo that eminence to which hie ambition aspired ? For in order to gratify that ambition, the ceronet of a peer must be placed apon his brew: and who was this lady thet could render him an aid so effi- cient as to reach so grand a consummation? Unable to form even the remotest or wildest- conjecture in tris reapect, aff. Clarendon was re- lapsing into that bewilderment of the ideas from which he had just managed to -emergé,—whea the door opened, and the Hon. ir. Eaton wawan- nounced. Wonderfal was the change which hed recently talken place in this young gentleman. The ruddy giow of health was upon his cheeks: his eyes had lost al! their wild and feverish brilkancy,-anad shove with a natural lustre ;—his lips were ofa wholesome red ;—and his figure, theugh modelled in slight proportions, had lost its attenuation, debility, and appearance of caducity. Instead of the worn ont and emaciated being te had ¢o lately scemed, he was now a Ane-young man—remarkably handsome, and possessed of every persenal attraction cal- culated to touch tire female heart, as he was also endowed with every mental quality to enable him to win and retain it. “Mr. Clarendon,” said Arthar, when the assal complimentary greetings were exchanged, “I have paid my respects te you in the first instance this morning, because Iam anxious to have afew mo- ments’ conversation with you before I jain my fair cousins. The trath is,” continwed the Hon. Mr. Eaton, his countenmnee assuming a certain serious- ness, though not ofan expression which heraldedany ba3 tidiogs,—“ the trath is, I wish to pat one caadid question to you in the hape of receiving as frank 9 reply.” @ Proceed, my dear Arthar,” said Mr. Olerendos, somewhat amared at the singulsrity of this pro- fatory observation. “I am-convineed you cannet for an instant suppose that any frankness on your part will be met otherwise than with a congenial ingenuonsness on mine.” "“QOh! assuredly not, my dear sir!” exelaimed Eaton, whose voice of rich masculine meledy constrasted strangely with the weak and enfeebled tones in which he -had-so reeentiy been wont to speak, when labourmmg under the fatal effeeta of the slow pobson, alias the Heirs Friend. “ But you are well aware,” he continued, “that when a wishes to enter aper. a delicate and coafi. dential subject, he prefaces if with seme precan- tionary remarks which are nevertheless in meet instances unnecessary-and eancalied for.” “ And you are desirous of speaking to me on a Gclicate and confidential subject ?” said Mr. Claren- 9amam MYSYERine. _ doa, wendering what on earth aguld he the topie thus mysteriously alluded to. “Yes: are you surprised?” demanded Arihar, witha smite. “But.nat to keep you any loager in suspense, my sienr Mr. Clarendon, I will at once frankly ieform yon thet it is respecting your elder daughter, the charming .Octavis——” “Ah!” gaoalated Mr. Clarendon, his counte- nance lighting up witha satiafaction which he could nat cenneal: for it instantancously sicnuck bim that Arthor Eaton nas about to demand Octavia’s haad in marriage—and, with the rapidity of lightning, did his thoughts culealste all the advantages of sucha cennexion,—ad vantages, indeed, which womld go far towartie putting an end to that falseness of pesitiow.in which air. Clarendon was.situated yith regard to the Marchinont family. “In one-word, then, my deer .sir,” reemped Asther, after-a mements pause,—“do yen belivrve that Miss Clarenden’s affections are disengaged:” « Cerésialy !— mest assuredly!” exclaimed Mr Clarendon, not for an instant deamiag it possible that hia daughter could be in love without his know. ing It “1 aeqasinted you yesterday with the pleasing intelligence that Lord Florime! had en tha presions Gsy fornally demanded my permission tn pay his addresses to Pauline: bus Octavia is a: yet ‘faucy frea,.as Shakepere terms the virginity of-the affections,” added Mr. Clarendon, little av<- penting how tremendqusly he erred ia his bellef and hew completeiy he was deceived in that :c spect. “ You. are eertain that Octavia bas formed‘no preferenee emongat the circie of her aequaint- ance?” said Arthar Eaton, inquyiriagly. “f feel convinced that abe bas net.” responded Mr. Clarendaeo, really believing what he was say- ing. “ But wherefore have yeu asked me the aamoe n twies 2” ‘“ Simply because I would guard myself againss proceeding in errar or miscouceptien,” ansaxcred the young gentleman. “There have been mo- rments—espegially lately—when it has struck me that Ostavia wes pensive—thoughtful——” “J can assure you that I have noticed nothing of the &ind,” intercunted Mr. Clarandon, emphati- cally: “and, even if she do seem pre-ocoupied and then, I will stake my existence it is not in cone sequence of any attachment secretly formed. Oh! no—ske would conceal nothing from me——-” “ Ae her father, you must decidedly know hest,” eaid Arthur. “Taking it for granted, then, that Misa Clareadon’s affections are disengaged,” he continued, ip a tone of manly firmness, * | demand your permiasien to seck.an interview wilh her for the purpeac.of offering her my dang.” “My dear Arthur,” exclaimed Mr. Clarendgn, his sallow countenance becomming radisnt with joy, <I am delighted—nay, 80 overcone by this unlooked-for —this unexpected happiness—tbat I am.at a loss fer words to convey al: 1 tee|———” “Then I have your permission,” interrupted the young gentleman, pressing his relative’s hands with cordial warmth: “and I shall hasten to avail myself ef itl”. “Go, dear Arthur—go!l” cried Mr. Clarendon, almost pushing him, towards the doer of the library: “you will find your cousinain the parlour—and Octa- via will feel herself honoured and happy in the preference which gou thus manifest in her faves, @nn. ECOMICOOOKS CO