The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 173: what you’re looking at

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156 my health and happiness, dear father,” he added in a lower but more impressive tone,—“ you will aid me in thus convincing them that they are truly welcome here, not as mere guests—but as members of the family.” “You know, my dear boy, that I will do anything to bring back the smiles to your countenance,” said the old peer. “It was to give you pleasure that I called en the Clarendons yesterday to insist upon their coming to-night. They had already intended to accept our invitation, and had written the usual answer, which must however have miscarried. But there they are: let us hasten to welcome them.” As Lord Marchmont spoke, Mr. Clarendon entered the saloon, Octavia leaning on his right arm and Pauline on his left. Never had those two young ladies appeared to greater advantage: there was something alike noble and ravishing in their splendid style of beauty. Dressed with taste and elegance, and carrying themselves with a modest dignity and an indescribable grace, they seemed to have been born and nurtured in that sphere of fashion which they were indeed now entering for the first time. The eyes of all present in that spacious apartment were fixed upon these charming girls as they made their appearance. The ladies could not help paying thein the tacit compliment of admiration; and the nobles and gentlemen murmured to each other the praises which sprang to their lips as their looks be- came rivetted on Mr. Clarendon’s daughters, In a few moments they were accosted by Lord Marchmont and the Hon. Mr. Eaton. The lat- ter was duly presented by his father to the young ladies, who had expected to receive a cold, haughty, and reserved courtesy from him, and who were there- fore highly delighted and most agreeably disappointed by the welcome which he gave them. Shaking them cordially by the hand, he said, “ My dear cousins, you must think me very unkind not to have called upon you. You may even imagine that I-was not eager to make your acquaintance. But you would do me a serious injustice were you to en- tertain such an impression. The truth is, [ am only beginning to recover from a long and severe malady, as your excellent father has doubtless informed you; and I have been compelled to remain at home during the last fortnight in consequence of the inclement weather. Then, again, I knew that you were occupied in removing to your new residence; and I am well aware that ladies do not like to be disturbed when thus engaged. Now, however, that my health is greatly improving and that you are doubtless settled by this time in Cavendish Square, I promise myself the pleasure of visiting you frequently. Come—we will leave your father to converse with mine, while I conduct you to seats.” And having thus addressed Octavia and Pauline in the moet affable manner, and with the familiarity of a relation instead of the reserved politeness of a mere friend—much less with the cold reserve of a stranger—he gave each an arm and led them slowly through the suite of drawing-rooms. “ Now that Il hope I have made my peace with you, charming cousins, for not calling upon you,” resumed Eaton, who in reality had abstained from visiting them hitherto in order that he might afford them a more decided proof of his good feeling by paying them a marked attention in the presence of the fashion and rank assembled on the present occasion—“ and now that I have unburthened my- THE MYSTERIES. self of all adequate apologies on that point,” he continued gaily, “I must give you due notice that I am likely to become a very troublesome visitor at your house. For I shall observe no cold cere- mony: such formality is ridiculous between rela- tives. Therefore I shall intrude myself on you when the humour takes me—and while you are basied with your drawing or your embroidery, I shall read to you. Or else you shall treat me to some music now and then: for Iam sure you are proficients in that art. Now, tell me—shall I be welcome on such terms ?” “We shall always be delighted to see you, Mr. Eaton,” answered Octavia, who, as well as her sister, was as much charmed as amazed by the warm friendship and unaffected cordiality which their relative demonstrated towards them. “ Nay—if you call me Mr. Eaton,” he instantly observed, “I shall think that you mean to treat me as any other visitor. We are cousins—and I have already declared that ceremony must not exist be- tween us. Oh! you do not know how many in- quiries I have made concerning you. I am well aware that your Christian names are Octavia and Pauline; and you are the elder—therefore your name is Octavia ;—and yours is Pauline,” he added, looking firat at the sister who leant on his right arm, and then at the one who was supported on his left. “ Henceforth I shall call you Octavia and Pauline—and you will have the kindness to call me Arthur—or I shall very soon quarrel with you both, I can assure you.” “ At least you will allow us to thank you, Arthur, for your generous kindness towards us,” said Pau- line. “ No—indeed I will not,” he answered immedi- ately, and with a playful smile upon his counte. nance. “It would be as if I were affecting a senti- ment which IJ do not in reality feel. But the dancing is about to commence, my charming cousins—and I must find you suitable partners. I dare not ven- ture upon a quadrille at present: otherwise I would open the ball with you, Octavia. But I shall con- duct you both to seats, aud leave you for a few minutes ; you will however speedily see me again.” Thus speaking, he escorted the two young ladies to a sofa; and then, mingling with the brilliant as- sembly thronging the room to which he had thus led them, he selected a handsome young noble- man, with whom he was intimately acquainted, as a partner for Octavia. Having introduced them to each other, he again looked around ; and his eyes fell upon Lord Florimel, who was at that moment entering the room. Pauline, from the place where she sate, simultaneously recognised the young peer whose image dwelt in her bosom; and when she saw Arthur Eaton accost him, shake him familiarly by the hand, and then advance down the saloon leaping on his arm, her heart fluttered with inde. scribable emotions of pleasure. But she had time to compose her countenance ere Lord Florimel stood before her; and he also, by a powerful effort, subdued the mingled joy and amazement which seized upon him when he thus found himself in the presence of the charming girl whom he had never once forgotten since that memo- rable night which he passed at Paradise Villa. In the meantime Octavia had been led away by her partner to join the dance; and the reader may conceive the surprise and momentary confusivu COMGLOO S COMM