The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

206 and so insulting towards one who has served me s9 ergnally.” The young gentleman bowed in acknowledgment of this assurance; and then said, “I presume that you reside in this neighbourhood P” ‘At a distance of about a mile,”’ answered Christina. “You will permit me to escort you as far as your dwelling P” said her new acquaintance: “for it is quite possible that villanous Lascar may be loiter- ing about in the neighbourhood.” Christina gladly and thankfully accepted the proffered courtesy: her deliverer threw the bridle over his arm and walked by the horse's side, so that he might keep better companionship with Christina. “You are deceived, sir,” she said, “as to that man, although it is very nataral you should be guided by appearances. He is not a Lascar—but some English robber in disguise.’ “Indeed !”” exclaimed the stranger with aston- ishment. “Yes, it.isas I tell you,” rejoined Christina. “He robbed my brother last night as we were re- turning from a party: there was a eonflict—a struggle—bat, to be brief, the man escaped.” Christina’s companion surveyed the young ledy with the utmost interest while she spoke; and yet he had sufficient command over his feeling of ad- miration to prevent it from bordering upon rude- ness. Hie thought he had never seen any one 80 exquisitely beautiful as she by whose side he was now walking. Her countenance, her figure, her looks, her manners—the silvery tones of her voice —all formed a combination of charms and attrao- tions that ravished his heart. He longed to know more of her, and to improve his acquaintance with one who thus in a few minutes had made so deep an impression upon him. But all the while Chris- tina herself was perfectly unaware that her blended beauty and modesty had inspired her companion with so much interest on her behalf. He now inquired the exact particulars of what had occurred between herself and the robber. The details were not long: but as Christina gave them, her deliverer drank in the sounds of her voice as if they were those of a delicious music. ‘When she had done speaking, he proceeded to give her to understand that he was an officer in the earmy—that he was on leave of absence from his regiment—and that he was temporarily staying with some friends at Kensington. He congratu- lated himself on the fortunate occurrence of having taken an evening ride in that particular direction ; and he concluded by intimating that his name was Captain Stanley. Immediately struck with this name, Christina glanced rapidly towards her companion—ané- sai, '“ Might I ask whether your father is Sir William Stanley who resides near Liverpool ?” “The same!” cried the Captain, both overjoyed and astonished at this species of recognition on the part of the beautifal young lady whose _ac- quaintance he was so anxious to cultivate. ‘But how is it possible ” “YT have heard Mr. Redcliffe speak of you,” re- plied Christina, thus anticipating the question. “ Mr. Redcliffe !—that kind generous man!” exclaimed Captain Stanley: “as brave too as he is kind—for he saved my father’s life amidst the jungles of Indis” | THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “‘ Mr. Redeliffe is a kind friend of mine,” re- joined Christina: “ my brother lives with him alto- gether. I myself am residing with an Kastern lady of rank and wealth; and our habitation ic yonder villa.” “Rejoiced as I at first was,” eaid Captain Stanley, “im having been enabled by circumetances to render assistance to a young lady, even while believing her a total stranger,—infinitely more delighted am I now on finding that we are not altogether unknown to each other. I only arrived in town yesterday; and it was my intention to call on Mr. Redcliffe to-morrow. Perhaps—perhape,” added the Captain hesitatingly, “I may venture likewise to call at your residence, to assure myself that you will in the meantime have perfeotly re- covered from the alarm produced by this inci- dent.” All the rules of politences as well as the addi- tional ones of gratitude prevented Christina from giving a negative response to this request; and with artless candour she said, “If you do me the honour of calling, Captain Stanley, the Lady I[n- dora with whom I live will personally exprees her thanks for the service you have rendered one for whom she cherishes a sisterly affection.” This portion of the dialogue took place in the road from which the lane diverged; and the gate of the villa was now in sight. Scarcely had the young maiden given the answer just placed upon record, when a gentleman on horseback was seen rapidly approaching ; and Christina at once recog- nised Lord Octavian Meredith. She instante- neously became aware of the necessity of main- taining all her fortitude, hor firmness, and her feminine dignity: for the conviction smote her that he was there, in that neighbourhood, to seek an interview with herself—perhaps a parting one —before he fulfilled his promise by going abroad to rejoin Zoe. Captain Stanley did not notice that anything peculiar had at the moment transpired to startle his fair companion: for she was indeed startled for a single instant on recognising Lord Octavian. As for his lordship himself, he suddenly drew in his bridle and brought his steed to a halt at a distance of about twenty yards from Christins and Captain Stanley: then, the next moment, he abruptly wheeled round his horse and galloped away. ; “That gentleman appears to have teken t wrong road,” observed the Captain, utterly unsus- picious of how well Christina was acquainted with him; “and he has only this instant perceived his mistake,” “Perhaps so,” said the young maiden, scarcely knowing what she did say : for all her self-poeses- sion abandoned her as a sudden thought flashed ia unto her brain. Was it possible that Meredith could have fen- cied she was walking with a rival P—that it was s suitor for her hand whom he beheld in her com- pany, and who with the familiarity of intimacy had dismounted from his horse in order that he might the more conveniently and agreeably enjoy the pleasures of discourse ? Innocent and artless though Christina were, yet no young lady of her age could be so utterly inexperienced in the ways of the world as not at once to perceive how naturally and even reasonably a suspicion of that sort might strike the mind of Lord Octavian Meredith. COMIC DOG (CO