The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

THE VISIT TO THE REGENT’S PARK 179 it was meant as an assurance that she might in all safety accept the invitation without the fear of encountering Meredith. The young girl caught a sigh rising up in her throat, but by a strong and hasty effort she subdued it; and though in the solitude of her own chamber she blushed at this half-betrayal of her own weakness unto herself. To divert her thoughts into a new channel, she sped back to the boudoir, where she found the princess deeply engaged in the perusal of the newspaper volume which Christina had marked for the purpose. The young maiden handed Zoe’s letter to her Highness, and when the princess had read it, she said, with her wonted amiability, ‘“ I understand, my young friend, that you seek my permission to accept her ladyship’s invitation. It is cheerfully accorded, and the carriage shall be at your disposal to-morrow.” Christina thanked the princess for her kindness, and re- turning to her own chamber, she penned a note to Lady Octavian Meredith, to the effect that she would be with her at noon on the following day. The approaching visit naturally brought recent incidents back to the young maiden’s mind with some degree of vividness. She was almost certain that Zoe either suspected or else positively knew her husband’s passion, for this alone could explain the tacit readiness with which Zoe consented to separate from our heroine, — or at least how it was that she did’ not offer any serious remonstrance. And now, perhaps, the reader may wonder whether Christina had acquainted her brother with the circumstances which had led to her change of situation. Yes, the young maiden had spoken frankly to Christian, and had described all that had occurred; but she did not even hint that her own feelings were not alto- gether so indifferent as she knew they ought to be with regard to Lord Octavian. Her virginal modesty would not permit her to avow even to the ear of an affectionate brother _ that which she would not admit unto herself; for though there was the suspicion — at times more distinct than at others — in her mind that Lord Octavian’s love had not proved entirely displeasing to her, she endeavoured to banish that suspicion, she did all that she could to crush it, and whenever she found the handsome young nobleman’s image stealing into her thoughts she at once strove to turn them completely into some other channel. CONMIC OOO) (EO)