The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

a 98 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT door of a house, of very genteel appearance, though not of very spacious dimensions, To her inquiry whether Lady Octavian Mere- dith was at home and could be seen at such an early hour in the forenoon, she received an aflirma- tive response—and was at once conducted to a parlour where Zoe, in a morning deshabillée, was seated upon a sofa. Christina was already pre- possessed, by what Mrs. Giles had said, in favour of Lady Octavian Meredith: but her good opinion was enhanced at the very first glance which she flung upon Mr. Armytage’s daughter. It was not so much that the exquisite beauty of Zoe interested the young girl, as that the goodness and sweetness depicted on Lady Octavian Meredith’s lovely countenance, were well calculated to inspire confi- dence and hope. The dark velvet covering of the sofa threw out Zoe’s form in admirable relief,— arrayed as if was in a light morning garb: her hair, without any ornament, showered in ringlets upon her shoulders; and it was with a gracious encouraging smile that Zoe, on learning Christina’s business, bade her sit down. Lady Octavian Meredith herself was struck with the extraordinary beauty of Christina—a beauty which was in such perfect contrast with her own, —inasmuch as Miss Ashton’s hair and eyes were dark, while those of her ladyship were of a light angelic style. But it would have been difficult for an observer to decide which was the more beauti- ful of the two—although perhaps Christina might have carried off the palm. There was no shade of jealousy—no, not even the slightest tinge thereof, in Zoe’s disposition; and therefore when Miss Ashton announced the object of her visit, it did not for a single moment occur to Lady Octavian Meredith that there might possibly be some danger in introducing so trane scendingly beautifula creature into the house, Be- sides, in the same way that Christina was inter- ested by Zoe’s appearance—so was the latter at once prepossessed with regard to the former; and Lady Octavian Meredith found herself inwardly expressing the hope that the applicant would prove a suitable candidate for the position she had come to seek. “Tt is perfectly true,’ said Zoe, in her sweet musical voice, “that I wish to enter into an engagement with a young lady who will live with me as a friend :”—for she could not utter the word companion, which in that particular sense might convey the offensive signifleancy of a toady. “Lord Octavian Meredith is, as a matter of course, frequently out: it is natural that he should seek those companions with whom his position enables him to. associate; and I occasionally feel myself somewhat dull and lonely. You are aware that in what is called the fashionable world, visits are not paid until late in the afternoon, and then they are mere flying ones—and I am fain to confess, that the conversation is usually frivolous and un- satisfactory. Thus I am many hours alone; and I cannot always while away the time with my books, my music, or my work. Therefore I seek the friendship of a young lady of amiable manners, of intellectual acquirements, and of certain accom- plishments. She may rely upon kind treatment : she shall never find herself in a false position—she shall be as one of the family—subject to no re- straint nor coercion—and to be regarded as ona perfect equality with myself. I have been thus candid and frank—thus lengthy likewise in my explanations, so that you may at once understand, Miss Ashton, my requirement and all its circum- stances.” The reader must bear in mind that Zoe was utterly ignorant of the acquaintance of her hus- band with Christina—equally unaware of the ad- venture in the Park nine weeks back—equally unaware also of the duel which had followed. On > the other hand, Christina was as completely ignoe rant that accident had brought her to the house belonging to him whom she only knew as Mr. Percival—and of course equally ignorant that she was in the presence of that individual’s wife. 1 thank your ladyship,” answered Miss Ashton, “for the explanations you have given me; and I fully appreciate the delicate terms in which they have been conveyed. With equal frankness will I place before your ladyship the humble claims which I have to submit to your notice. I was well educated, and was instructed in some few accomplishments—-though I am not vain enough to say that I possess any. I am fond of music—I love drawing in water colours or with pencil—I am equally attached to a certain style of reading— chiefly history, biography, books of travel, and such instructive works. I have eyery disposition to render myself agreeable and useful; and I may confidently add that I shall repay with gratitude whatsoever kindness is shown me. My position is somewhat a painful one. I have a twin-brother— and we are orphans. We are likewise friendless. A recent calamity has deprived us of the resources which we previously possessed—I allude to the sudden flight of a person who lived on the other side of the Regent’s Park "4 ie *Do you mean Mr. Preston?” inquired Zoe, with some degree of surprise. “The same, my lady,’ answered Christina. * And it was my own father Mr, Armytage,” rejoined Zoe, “ who first discovered thaf man’s de- linquencies—and I regret to say that he too has suffered by them. Is he a relation of yours ?” “Oh, no, my lady!” responded Christina: “ we have not to our knowledge any relations in the world. Our parents died when we were quite young: we were brought up by an uncle, who was a widower; and to him were we indebted for the good education we received. He died suddenly; and immediately after the funeral, Mr, Preston announced himself to us as the person to whom we had thenceforth to look for supplies of money. It was by his desire that we came up to London; and he regularly furnished us with an income until the period of his flight. Since then we have experi- enced troubles and afflictions id Here Christina stopped short and burst into tears. Lady Octavian Meredith was much affected by the orphan girl’s narrative ; and she spoke in a kind soothing manner. Christina, when again able to speak, informed her ladyship that she and her brother had resided six months at Mrs. Macau- lay’s, and upwards of two months at Mrs. Giles’s, —both of whom could speak as to their characters and conduct. “ Mrs. Giles is a most respectable woman,” ob- served Zoe; “and I am very certain that she would not recommend you to me unless perfectly assured that there was propriety in so doing. For- i RE