The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

156 THE COURT OF LONDON so that the light may fall upon it. There, that is as I could wish. And now I feel my sight improving — I can see you as plainly as I was wont. What a charming girl you have grown! Let me reflect. You are twenty. Yes, you are a sweet girl, and God in his mercy be thanked, there is the same unmistakable innocence in your looks, the same purity and chastity and candour upon your brow. Come and em- brace me, sweet girl, come to my arms, for again I thank God that I awake to find you all that I could wish.”’ Louisa kissed her aunt with enthusiastic devotion, and for some time they spoke not, but gazed upon each other in deep and fervid thankfulness for what might be termed a blessed restoration. ‘‘ But now,” said the aunt, at length breaking silence once more, ‘ tell me what meant that dreadful screaming. For I recollect what it was that must have startled me from my stupendous lethargy. And, ah! was there not some man here? ”’ “A villain who found his way to my chamber,” replied - Louisa. ‘‘ But who was he? ”’ asked Miss Stanley. ‘You would scarcely believe it, aunt,’ replied the young maiden, ‘‘ but it is nevertheless true. That man is the Reverend Bernard Audley, one of the minor canons.”’ ‘‘ Heavens! is this possible?’ exclaimed Miss Stanley, her countenance expressing some other feeling besides indignation on her niece’s account. ‘ Bernard Audley! and he in this neighbourhood? ”’ ‘Yes, dear aunt, he is a minor canon of the cathedral,’’ responded Louisa, ‘‘and was appointed about eighteen months ago. But do you know him? Why do you gaze upon me in this manner? Do you think I am deceiving you? Heavens! I am incapable — ”’ ‘ Hush, dear Louisa! not for a moment do I doubt your word. But I am astonished, for that name is indeed full well, too well known to me. Bernard Audley is a villain of the blackest dye.” ‘And I, dear aunt, have been more than once the object of his persecutions,’ Louisa observed. ‘‘On the first occasion, — it was in the Dane John, he accosted me and was very rude, but I was rescued from his impertinent molestation by a young gentleman, a very excellent young connicloooKks (CO)