The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 201: 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 183 of look under such circumstances, but she knew not how Octavian might gaze upon her, or into what increased em- barrassment and awkwardness he might plunge her. Thus half an hour passed. Christina glanced at the time- piece, — still two more hours must elapse ere the carriage would come. Did Lord Octavian intend to remain in the drawing-room the whole time? It appeared so. All of a sudden Zoe directed Christina’s. attention to a portfolio of new and splendid prints which lay upon the table, and the young maiden, infinitely relieved,— and _ half-suspecting that Zoe meant purposely thus to relieve her, — hastened to look over them. In doing this she seated herself in such a way that without absolutely turning her back in rudeness toward Octavian, she nevertheless could without restraint avoid meeting his looks. By these means another hour was passed, and then Zoe requested Christina to favour her with an air upon the piano. The young maiden was compelled to advance toward the instrument, but she did so with a visible embarrassment, and Lady Octavian suddenly ex- claimed, ‘‘ No, my dear Christina; it is too bad that I should thus task you when you come to visit me out of friendship, and we have so short a time to be together.” ““T see,”’ said Lord Octavian, rising from his seat, and en- deavouring to smile, though the attempt was but a sickly one, ~ after all, ‘‘ that Iam one too many here, but I know that you ladies have your little secrets. I shall bid you farewell, Miss Ashton.” | Again he presented his hand, again hers was given hesi- tatingly; he held it but for a moment, and then somewhat hurriedly quitted the room. Christina resumed her seat close by Zoe, and it struck her at the moment that the amiable lady was forcing herself to suppress a sigh. At that same instant, too, our heroine’s gentle bosom was so full of emotion that she could have thrown herself into her friend’s - arms and given vent to her feelings with a gush of tears. But by a mighty effort she conquered this weakness. Zoe at once glided into conversation again, and her manner was, if possible, more kind and more sweetly affable than ever toward Christina. At length the carriage came, and when the two friends were about to part, Zoe said, “‘ I am in hope, dearest Christina, to be enabled to return this visit in a very short time;” but she did not add that if this hope were COMMUIC OOO) SS (E©) im