Angelina: Or, The Mystery of St. Mark's Abbey — page 181: what you’re looking at

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

‘168 , ' ANGELINA OR, imagined to herself what must now be the sufferings of Clifford, to know that she was ie the power of the baron, her bitterest foe, and he without the means to render her any assistance, she wrung her hands, and paced the room with uneven steps, in a state of the greatest agony and despair. She was interrupted in the midst of her grief, by the enlrance of the old woman, Who brought with her the morning's repa«t, and having set ic wpon the table, turned te Angelina, and, in a tone of curiosity, said ,— “ For goodness sake, young woman, what have you been saying to the barons, to put him into such a violent state of agitation? He has just left the Tower, accompanied by Ruthven, and he looked so pale, and, he tiembled -so, lackaday ! I could not help luoking at him with wonder. Whatever can bave been the matter ?’’ ‘« The power of his -own conscience has worked its terrors upon him,”” re- : plied Angelina; “the guilty are sure to meet with an earthly punishment in some way or the other.” ** You talk very boldly, methinks, young woman,” answered the old “bel- dame, “‘but it is well the baron does not bear you. Conscience, in- deed!——- But let me advise you not to remain obstinately blind to your own interest; if you readily assent to the baron‘s wishes, | know that he will make it his constant study to contribute to your bappioess and enjoy- ment, but if on the other hand, you incense him, you must take the conse- quences. Angelina was so thoroughly disgusted with the coarse and revolting mano- ners of the old woman, and the ebservations she made use of, that she averted her looks, and did not return her any answer; but, at length, thinking it would be much more politic to endeavour to make a friend of herthaa an enemy, (if it was possible to excite friendship in such a flinty bosom,) she made some observation ofa concilatory description, which secmed to have the effect desired. She inquired after Bridget. ‘* Oh, she is getting on very well,”? answered the old woman—t* she will, no doubt, soon recover from the effects of the just punishment she has reccived.”’ ‘“‘ Pray God she may,” ejaculated Angelina, with fervour, ‘¢ Ah, well, for my part,’’ remarked the woman, ‘‘ I do not see that she de- serves the least pity; and I only hope that what she has suffered will bring her to her senses, and that she may henceferward know her duty better to her husband and her master.” Angelina made no reply to the observations of old Deborah, (for such was the name of the woman,) but, of course, she could not help feeling the utmost disgust at the inhumanity which she evinced. ‘*Take it altogether,” continued the old woman,‘ I think she bas been treated very leniently by thcse whom she has so grossly offeuded; and, after all, she :nay thank the clemency of the baron for pardoning oer. However, it is no use talking about this matter—it is all over new, and Bridget will soon get over it, no doubt, though [ do not think she will ever be on _very geod terms with her husband again.” ‘¢ Friends with a miscreant !—a wretch like that!’ exclaimed our heroine, witha shudder of disgust. ‘* Again I warn you, young lady,” said Deborah, “‘to be a little more circumspect in your language, especially towards Rufus, for | would not COMIC OOOKS. EO