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

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270 atapor of surprise and bewilderment into whieh he had been thrown by the closing scene. 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 lips. He passed in review all the detaile of her remarks—he- weighed her words with a minute earéfulpess—he | eonsidered all the pesstble bearings and every pro- pable tendency which they might have. HK wae not diffieult to pereerve that she was well se- guainted 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 hin to that eminence to which hie ambition anpired ? For in order to gratify that ambition, the ceronet of a peer must be placed apon his brew: and who was this lady that 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 tlris reapect, f%. Clarendon was re- lapsing into that bewilderment of the ideas from which he had just managed to -emergé,—when the door opened, and the Hon. Mir. Eaton wawan- nounced. Wonderfal was the change which hed recently taken place in this young gentleman. The ruddy giow of health was upon his cheeks: his eyes had lost al! their wild and feverish brilkancy,-aad ehoue with a natural lustre ;—his lips were ofa wholesome red ;—and his figure, thengh modelled in slight proportions, had lest {ts attenuation, debility, and appearance of caducity. LIustead of the worn ont and emaciated being te bad so lately scemed, he was now a Ane-young man—remarkably handsome, and possessed of every personal attraction cal- culated to touch the female heart, as he was also endowed with every mental quality to enable him to win and retain it. Mr. Clarendon,” said Arthear, when the asual complimentary greetings were exchanged, “I have paid my respects te you in the first instance this morning, because Iam anxious to have a few mo- ments’ conversation with you before I join my fair cousins. The truth is,” contineed 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 put one caadid question to you in the hape of receiving as frank 9 reply.” @ Proceed, my dear Arthur,” said Mr. Olerendos, aomewhat 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.” "“Qh! assuredly not, my dear sir!” exelaimed Eaton, whose voice of tich masculine meledy constrasted strangely with the weak and enfeebled tones in which he -had-so reeently been wont to speak, when labourmg under the fatal .effegeta of the slow pobson, alias the Heirs Friend. “ But you are well aware,” he continued, “that when a wishes to enter per. 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 Sclicate and confidential subject ?” said Mr, Claren- 9mm MYSYERine. _ doa, wendering what on earth aguld he the topie thus mysteriously alluded to. “Yes: are you surprised” demanded Arithar, witha smite. “But.nat to keep you any loager in suspense, my sienr Mr. Clarendon, I will at once frankly ieform yan that it is respecting your elder daughter, the charming .Octavis-——” “Ah!” gaoalated Mr. Clarendon, his counte- nance lightiag up witha satiafaction which he could nat cenneal: for it instantancously sicuck bim that Arthor Exton was about to demand Oectavia’s haad in marriage—and, with the rapidity of lightning, did his thoughts culealste all the advantages of sucha cennexion,—-advagtages, indeed, which womld go far towartla putting an end to that falseness of pesitiow.in which air. Clarendon was.situated gith regard to the Marchinont family. “In one-word, then, my desr.sir,” reemped Asther, after-a mements pause,—“do yen belivve that Miss Clarenden’s affections are disengaged:” “ Certsialy !— mest assuredly!” exclaimed Mr Clarendon, not fer an instant deamiag it possible that hia daughter could ba in love without his know. ing & “1 aequainted you yesterday with tle pleasing intelligence that Lord Florime! had en tha presions Gay fornially 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. Clarendoa, little avs- penting how tremendqusly he erred ia his bellef and hew completely he was deceived in that cc spect. “You. are eertain that Octavia bas formed‘no preferenee emongat the circie of her aequaint- ance?” said Arthur Eaton, inquiringly. “f feel convinced that abe bas net.” responded Mr. Clarendaeo, really believing what he was say- ing. “ But wherefore have yeu asked ma the samo queation twice ”” ‘“ Simply because I would guard myself againas proceeding in errar ocr misconceptien,” ansxcred the young gentleman. “There have been mo- ments—especially 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-oconupied and shen, I will stake my existence it is not in cone sequence of any attachment secretly formed. Oh! no—ske would oonceal 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, in a tene of manly firmness, “* | demand your permiasien to seek an interview witb her for the purpeac.of offering her my aang.” “My dear Arthur,” exclaimed Mr. Clarendgn, his sallow countenance becomming radiant with joy, <I am delighted—nay, so overcone by this unlooked-for —this unexpected happiness—tbat I am.at a loss fer words to eonvey 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 soanifest in her favomz, Gun. ECOMICOOOKS CO