The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 247: what you’re looking at

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

236 THE MYSTERIES that I had not long to remain in this world! Indeed, Octavian, for your sake I wished thet death would come speedily—and I cared not hos speedily! But yesterday the skill of a physician enabled him to ascertain that all my forebodings were erroneous.” ‘* Heaven be thanked !" cried Meredith: and it was indeed with sincerity that he gave vent to this ejacolation. “ Yes, heaven be thanked !—for, Ob, my beloved Zoe ! it is happiness to know that you will live long in order that the atonement of your contrite husband may be all the more com- plete. Ah! think you that I have not ocompre- hended all the sacrifices which you in your sublime magnanimity were making on my behalf P Yes— I have been a wretch towards you-——— “Speak not thus, my dearest, dearest husband,” interrupted Lady Octavian: “there was nothing that I would not have done to ensure your happi- nees |—there was no sacrifice of my own feeling that I would not have made in order to save you from being unhappy! But tell me, Octavian——” “ Yes, I willtell you everything,” exclaimed the young nobleman. “ Yet in so doing I must men- tion a name——” “JT know it,” said his wife firmly,—“ the name of Christina Ashton. But heaven forbid, Octavian, that you should have to tell me aught which may henceforth prevent me from regarding her as my friend———” “Zoe,” responded the young nobleman, “ if she were not virtuous I should not dare to look you in the face——I should not be worthy of this pardon which you have bestowed upon me! Christina loves another “She loves another ?” cried Zoe, with a thrill of joy in her soul. “Is it possible that I have all along been mistaken as to the nature of her feel- ings towards you “ Suffice it to say, Zoe,” interrupted Meredith, “she loves another! Of this I have received the most incontestable proof. It aroused me from my delusion—it awoke me with a sudden start from my dream-———I beheld all the enormity of my conduct towards yourself—I set off to join you in France—I lost not an instant—I was resolved to throw myself at your feet and implore your pardon for the past! For, Oh! I knew that you loved me, Zoe—and I despaired not of obtaining that pardon !” “ Oh, it is granted—it is granted !”’ exclaimed the happy wife : “ and henceforth, Octavian, you need never entertain a remorseful thought nor cherish a mournful memory on account of the incidents which are gone by !” “ Admirable Zoe !” exclaimed Meredith ; * how could I ever have been vile and base enough to do violence to a heart so loving and tender as your’sP But I repeat, the remainder of my life shall be devoted to the duty of insuring your hap- 3—anc, Oh! that duty will be a pleasant ane | Bat tell me, Zoe—how is it that you are here P Has the bridal already taken place? and are you accompanying the bridal party P”’ “ ‘Yos—it is so,” responded Zoe: and then, with @ look of surprise, sho asked, “ But how did you Jearn that the marriage was fixed for to-day ?—be- cause you must have left London before my last letter, which was only written a few days ago, could possibly have reached you.” OF THRE COURT. “ True, Zoe,” answered Octavian: “ but it was from another source that I accidentally beard of the bridal that was fixed for to-day. And now that I find you here, and recollect having seen the travelling-carriages in front of the hotel——”’ “Your conjectures are right,” said Lady Octa- vian ; “I am acoompanying the bridal party. This morning my beloved friend Clarine has become the bride of Viscount Delorme.” “ And who accompanies the happy pair in ad- dition to yourself P” asked Meredith. “The firet carriage is rg te by that happy pair and myself,” Zoe. “The other carriage is for the accommodation of the notery who drew up the tracts according to the French form, and who with his wife came all the way from Fontainebleau to be present at the ceremony; for they have known the Viscount Delorme for some years and are much attached to him, And in that same second carriage a friend of Alfred Delorme’s travels with the notary and his wife. He is the Baron de : he was invited to attend the bridal—and he came, though he arrived late. The bridesmaids were the daughters of a gentleman dwelling in the neigh- bourhood of the old Chateau; and it was the worthy priest of the village who procured their assistance on the occasion. They of course re- turned to their home after the ceremony. As for M. Volney, the bride’s father,—he remains at the Chateaa for the present——-But you seem to be musing, my dear husband P” “Tl was thinking how my presence might inter- fere with the arrangements you had preriously made. From your letters I have been enabled to judge how great is the friendship which has sprung up between the Viscountess Delorme and yourself : you have doubtless promised to remain with her for the present—she will be disappointed if you be separated from her “And why should I be separated P” asked Zoe. “ Ob, gou, my dear Octavian, will be truly welcome amongst this bridal party; and you know not how rejoiced will the amiable Clarine prove at our re- union. You will not be angry with me, Octavian, if I confess that I made her my confidante——” “I can be angry with you for nothing! Bat think you that I dare intrude myself——” “It will be no intrusion,” exclaimed Zoe; “and well convinced am I that the Viscount De- lorme will most obeerfully invite you to be of the party and offer you a seat in one of the carriages. Come at once!—for our halt was not to be long here———we were told that it might be half-ao- hour, in consequence of some little delay with re- gard to the post-horses “Qne word more, Zoe!” said Octavian, “A terrible crime was perpetrated last night—a crime of which I was nearly being rendered the victim ——” “Good heavens, is it possible ?’—and Zoe clang to her husband as if she feared that it was posable for him even now to be snatched from her. He related the particulars of the tragedy in all their dotails; and his wife listened with shuddering horror. For some minutes more they alone together in that room, in deep and earnest conversation ; and then they repaired to the apart- ment where the bridal pair and their friends were gathered. cS) COMME OOO (CO