The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 211: what you’re looking at

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

| | | } been the unfortunste lady who was not 203 @Un MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. public-house where his worthy acolyte and pupil | wearied, and still unwell from the effects of the Bill Scott was awaiting his presence, he lurked | recent accident. Now that I have paid my respecte about in the lane and its vicinago for upwards of a | and satisfied myself that you are in good health, [ quarter of an hour. No farther circumstance, | will repair to some hotel; and to-morrow will waist however, transpired to renew or confirm his sus-| upon you at any hour you may choose to ap- picions; and as he at length moved slowly away | point.” towards the low public-house or boosing-ken where; “JI thought that perhape you would make my he had established his head-quarters, he said to ) house your home for a day or two,” answered Pol- himself, “ No—it’s nuffin to be scared at. As for: lard: “indeed, your bed-chamber is in readineces. ghoetesses, blow me if I’m the chap which is likely | Jt is the very same you occupied ten years agu.” to be surreptitious—guperstitions, I mean: andas: “You are exceedingly kind,” answered Lettice : for any von a-listenin’ at the gate and then bowling “and it would be indeed on my part off in such a manner af that—no, it’s all nonsense. not to do your bidding in all things. I have to "Twas no doubt a servant-ga] s-ranning for the , thank you, Mr. Pollard, for the manner im which beer; and some of them gale does flit along just! you have carried ont the trast confided to you by for all the world as if they was wild.” say deceased father—the regularity with whieh While thus musing, Barney the Burker parsued | you have made me my periodical remittances——” his way towards the boozing-ken; and in the| “bere is no need to thank moe,” answered Pol- meantime we must see what had taken place | lard; ‘and yet I am uf course giad that you are within the dwelling of Mr. Anthony Pollard. satisfied with my guardisnship. You will give me Scarcely had Mze. Webber issued forth from the . credit, Louisa, for having abstained from reproach house into the back yard, when there was & knock | when you took a certain step——” | Gt the front door; and Mr. Pollard, not hearing| “Do not allade to it, my dear sir!” interrupted his housekeeper anewer the summons, imagined | Lettice, carrying her kerchief to her eyes: “it that she must be otherwise engaged: he actord- | reminds me but too painfully of my irreparable ingly proceeded himself to ascertain who it might | loss!” be. Taking the candle in his iiand, hd repaired to{ “ Yes, yos—it must,” onid the old miser. “ You the door; and on openitg it, perceived a lady of | will tematn here, then, for a day ortwo? It will tall stature, well developed form, and good apparel. | please me to have the society of one whom I knew He at once conceived that this mast be Mrs. Ray-/ asa child, but whom I have not seen until now ner; but with his habitual caution, he waited for; emmce her girfhood. I learnt that you hed grown her to announce hereelf. " {up into a fine handsome woman, and I was not “Mr. Pollard,” said Lettice Rodney: for she/| deceived. 1 should not have known you—no, I indeed the visitress was: “we meet again after a/ should not have recognised you: you are different long interval.” from what I expected you to be—and yet there is “I¢is then you, Lous,” eaid the old miser: | the same colour of the hair—yes, and the eyes too and he took Lettice’s hand. “Walk in: I have] —but the profile has taken developments of which been expecting you: how ie it that caine not | your girlhood gave but little promise.” before? You must speak loud—for I am affticted } While thus speaking, Anthony Pollard contem- with deafness.” plated Lettics Rodney with earnest attention—but “I experienced an accident,” answered Lettice, | yet without any suspicion in his looks or his man- “which detained me for a few days.” ner. This was an ordeal that put all her powers “What! on the railway P” ejsculated Pol-j of hypocrisy and dissimulation to the test: it was lard. however one which she had naturally foresesn she “Yes: I was in the train which ran off the | would have to pass and for which ehe lines and upeet, causing such dreadful injuries and | was consequently prepared. She bore that ecratiny loss of life.” well,—affecting to smile and blush modestly at the “Indeed! It was suggested to me,” continued | compliment which was paid to her beauty ;—and Pollard, “ that you might be a passenger by that | that blush also served asa veil for any little trifling ill. fated train; and I was not altogether without | confusion which she could not altogether prevent. the apprehension that you yourself might have | Tt was quite evident that the old man had not the recognised. | remotest misgiving as to the identity of his visitress However, I am heartily glad that it is otherwise ; | with Mrs. Rayner; and it was therefore only with and I give yousuch puor weloome as my house can | « business-like caution that he proceeded to give affurd. Step into the parlour:”—then, as he led | to the conversation that turn which it now took. the way thither, he exclaimed with an air of| “ We were speaking a few minutes back of the vexation, “ Dear me, how provoking! That house- | railway accident,” he said; “and I may now ob- keeper of mine has let the fire go out :”—althongh | serve that my apprehension as td your having lost he perfectly well knew that such was the case. your life on the occasion, was but a feeble one— “Pray, my dear Mr. Pollard,” said Lettice, as- inasmuch as the unrecognised lady appeared not to suming a tune and manner of the sweetest affa- | have in her possession any papers calculated to bility, “do not put yourself out of the way on my | show who she was.” account. Indeed, I am well aware that itis an{| “And of course you well knew,” observed Let- unseemly hour for me to call: bat I considered it | tice, with a smile, “that such would not be the my duty to pay my respects the very frst moment | case with me. I have in this packet,” she con- af my arrival in your town. I have only just | tinued, producing « small paper parcel, “a variety etepped from the train——” of documents, which perhaps you will look over at “And you will take refreshment?” said Mr. | your leisure.” Pollard, advancing towards the bell-pull. "Bo, I thenk you,” responded Lettice: “I am | quired the lewyer. “ And where have you left your luggage?’ ia . - nn pA) tee gt ST Sa eee ee ee eee =“ = —we - —= - e a a) -—m™ — — eet fe a - TN - e oth CO IMULUG C) DOO CS (COL