The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 287: what you’re looking at

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210 THE MYSTERIB. stupor of surprise and bewilderment into which 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 had fallen from the lady’s lips. He passed in review all the details of her remarks—he weighed her words with a minute carefulnese—he eonsidered all the possible bearings and every pro- bable tendency which they might have. It was not difficult to perceive that she was well ac- quainted with his position ; and she had also ma- ‘maged to probe the nature of his secret thoughts to no mean depth. Bat who was she ?—and what assistance could she possibly lend Mr. Clarendon in order to razse him to that eminence to which his ambition aspired ? For in order to gratify that ambition, the coronet of a peer must be placed upon his brow: and who was this lady that could render him an aid so effi- client as to reach so grand a consummation? Unable to form even the remotest or wildest conjectare in this respect, Mr. Clarendon was re- lapsing into that bewilderment of the ideas from which he had just managed to emerge,—when the door opened, and the Hon. Mr. Eaton was an- 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 all their wild and feverish brilliancy, and shone with a natural lustre ;—his lips were of a wholesome red ;—and his figure, though modelled in slight proportions, had lost its attenuation, debility, and appearance of caducity. Instead of the worn out and emaciated being he had so lately seemed, he was now a fine 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 td enable -him to win and retain it, “Mr, Clarendon,” said Arthur, when the usual complimentary greetings were exchanged, “I have paid my respects to 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,” continued the Hon. Mer. Eaton, his countenance assuming a certain serious- ness, though not ofan expression which heraldedany 1 bad tidings,—* the truth is, I wish to put one candid question to you in the hope of receiving as frank a reply.” “Proceed, my dear Arthur,” sald Mr. Clarendon, eomewhat amazed at the singularity of this pre- fatory observation. “Iam convinced you cannot for an instant suppose that any frankness on your part will be met otherwise than with a congental ingenuousness on mine.” “Oh! assuredly not, my dear sirf* exclaimed Eaton, whose voice of rich masculine melody constrasted strangely with the weak and enfeebled tones in which he had so recently been wont to speak, when labouring under the fatal effects of the slow poison, aNae the Heir’s Friend. “ But you are well aware,” he continued, “that when a person wishes to enter upon a delicate and confi- dential subject, he prefaces it with some precau- tionary remarks which are nevertheless in most instances unnecessary and uncalled for.” “ And you are desirous of speaking to me on a clicate and confidential subject >” said Mr. Claren- ee don, wondering what on earth could be the topic thus mysterionsly alluded to. “Yes: are you surprised?” demanded Arthar, with a smile. “Bat not to keep you any longer in. nanoe lighting up with asatisfaction which he could not conceal: for if instantaneously struck him that Arthur Eaton was about to demand Octavie’s hand in marriage—and, with the rapidity of lightning, did his thoughts calculate all the advantages of euch a connexion,—ad vantages, indeed, which would go far towards putting an end to that falseness of. position in which Mr. Clarendoa was situated with regard to the Marchmont family. +4*In one word, then, my dear sir,” resemed thar, after a moment's pause, —*“ do you beliees that Mise Clarendon’s affections are di Clarendon, not for an instant deeming it possible that his daughter could be in love without his know- ing i, “I acquainted you yesterday with the pleasing intelligence that Lord Florimel had on the previous day formally demanded my permission t» pey his addresses to Pauline: bat Ootavia is as yet ‘fancy free, as Shakspere terms the virgmity of the affections,” added Mr. Clarendon, little ses- pecting how tremendously he erred in his beilef and how completely he was deosived in that re- spect. “You are certain that Ootavia hes formed’no preference amongst the circie of her acguaint- ance?” said Arthur Eaton, inquiringly. “I feel convinced that she has not.” responded Mr. Clarendon, really believing what he was say- . “But wherefore have you asked me the same question tice 7” “Simply because I would guard myself againss proceeding in error or misconception,” answered the young gentleman. “There have been mo- ments—especially lately—when it hes struck me that Octavia was pensive—thoughtfal___.” “TI can assure you that I have noticed nothing of the kind,” interrupted Mr. Clarendon, emphati- cally: “and, even if she do seem now and then, I will stake my existence it is not in con- sequence of any attachment secretly formed. Oh! no—she would conceal nothing from me——” “ As her father, you must decidedly said Arthur. “Taking it for granted, then, that Miss Clarendon’s affections are " be continued, in a tone of manly firmness, *[ demand your permission to seek an interview with her for the of offering her my hand.” “My dear Arthur,” exclaimed Mr. Clarendon, his sallow countenance becoming radiant with joy, “I am delighted—nay, so overcome by this unlooked-for —this happiness—that I am at a les for words to convey all 1 feel——" “Then I have your permission,” interrupted the young gentleman, pressing his relative’s hands with cordial warmth: “and I shall hasten to avail myself of it!” “Go, dear Arthur--go!” cried Mr. Clarendea, Sea eerie ee eearte the door of the Hbewry “you will find your cousins in the via will feel herself honoured and happy in oe preference which you thus manifest in her favour, » Doeks GOLAAL COUN