The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

134 THE COURT OF LONDON whose crimes have been so great, and proceed with her to the Continent, to visit Geneva and see her poor sisters.” ‘“My home is for the present,’’ answered Lilian, “ at a humble peasant’s cottage a few miles hence.”’ ‘‘ But have you never been to see your poor sister Lydia? ”’ asked Mrs. Owen. ‘“ Never,’’ replied Lilian. ‘‘ After the frightful thing which happened to me years ago, I vowed that I would never go near my sisters again, much less her who was pure and virtuous and good.” ‘But there are vows, my dear Lilian, which ought not to be kept,’’ said Mrs. Owen, “ and this is one. Had you been faithful to that oath, you would not have accosted me just now.” ‘‘ Ah! but I was so taken by surprise, so amazed, at see- ing you here,” said Lilian Halkin. ‘‘ But you will not persevere any longer in thus absenting yourself from the bedside of a sister who is so cruelly afflicted? ’’ urged Mrs. Owen. ‘Perhaps I should long ago have forgotten my vow and flown to that cottage,’’ said Lilian, ‘‘ but how could I pro- claim myself to be the sister of her who passes by the name of Miss Stanley without also being compelled to embrace the young and innocent Louisa as a niece? Then what questions would she put to me, and what could I say? How account for never having been thither before? No, it is impossible.”’ ‘“ And yet,” returned Mrs. Owen, ‘‘ I am about to visit that cottage; and, after all that you have told me, I must announce myself as the poor bedridden Miss Stanley’s sister, and consequently as Louisa’s aunt. And yet perhaps,” she exclaimed, as a sudden idea struck her, an idea from which she recoiled aghast, ‘‘ my own daughter Mary may have whispered in the ears of her young friend Louisa such things concerning her mother as to as creas that excellent oirl against me.’ ‘Then, under all circumstances, pause and reflect,’ said Lilian, earhestly, ‘‘ as to the course you will adopt. Go and fetch your daughter away, but make no revelation to Louisa to-day. Appear before her only as Mrs. Owen, the mother of Mary. Then, when alone with your daughter, you can ascertain from her lips to what extent her revelations may COMmicoOoOkKs (CO nin