The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XIV THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER Having experienced no difficulty in finding the cottage, Mrs. Owen opened the little garden gate, and was advancing up to the front door, when an ejaculation of surprise not unmixed with joy thrilled through the open casement of the parlour, and in another instant Mary Owen came bounding forth and threw herself into her mother’s arms. She was in deep mourning, as we have already stated, and therefore Mrs. Owen saw at once that she was no stranger to the catastrophe which had occurred at Geneva. But that Mary would have already learned the particulars of that dire tragedy, she had foreseen from her knowledge of the fact that Jocelyn Loftus, who was Louisa’s lover, and of course in correspondence with her, was at Geneva at the time it occurred. ‘““ My dearest Mary,’ murmured Mrs. Owen, in a voice well-nigh suffocated with emotions, “‘can you, will you forgive your unhappy mother? ” ‘““O heavens! do you ask me such a question? ”’ cried Mary, as the tears rained down her cheeks. ‘‘ Are we not already sufficiently unhappy? ”’ “ Let us step aside somewhere, that we may talk together,” said Mrs. Owen, hastily, ‘‘ for I have much to say to you ere I see that kind young lady who has given you an asylum.”’ “Come this way, my dear mother,” said Mary, and taking her parent’s hand, she led her along the gravel walk to an arbour in the remotest corner of the garden. Then, as they placed themselves upon the bench that was embowered with foliage, she said, ‘‘ Here may we converse without restraint.”’ “‘ Embrace me once more, my dear little Mary,” said Mrs. 136 connicoooKks (C(O) im