The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

CLARA 171 forth, when a travelling-carriage and four drove into the courtyard of the Fountain Hotel, and the two ladies paused for an instant at the window of the apartment to observe who should alight. A servant in livery leaped down from the box and opened the door of the carriage. A tall, handsome young gentleman, dressed in deep black, first stepped out, and then assisted a lady to alight. This lady had a veil over her face, but as she descended the steps of the carriage, it blew aside with a sudden gust of wind, and Mrs. Owen, catching a glimpse of the splendid countenance thus re- vealed, exclaimed, ‘‘ It is Lady Sackville! ”’ “ What, Lady Sackville, the celebrated court beauty, with whose fame all England has rung? ”’ asked Lilian. ‘“‘ The same,” replied Mrs. Owen. ‘‘ But see how quickly she replaces her veil, as if she did not choose to be observed by the hotel servants who are thronging about the carriage.”’ “Do you know her ladyship? ” asked Lilian. “ Not to speak to. But I have many times seen her riding in her carriage in London. That is not her husband who is with her. I know Lord Sackville well by sight, and this is not he. Surely it cannot be an elopement? ”’ ‘“ Ah! my dear sister,” said Lilian, ‘‘ let us not suffer our thoughts to be diverted from our own affairs to those of other people. Come, it is three o’clock, let us away to the cottage. Remember, we have promised poor little Mary that she shall see Louisa again this evening.’’ ‘““ Come, then, let us away,’ said Mrs. Owen. The two sisters accordingly went forth together. Taking no further notice of the equipage which had just arrived, they passed out from the courtyard of the spacious hotel into the street, and then took the shortest way to the Dane John. This they threaded quickly, and in a very short time reached the cottage. Louisa, who was anxiously looking from the window of the chamber where her aunt lay to watch for the arrival of her sister, beheld Mrs. Owen, in company with another lady, likewise dressed in black, and she was at once struck with the idea that this other lady was the one who had rescued her a year back from the power of Bernard Audley in the cathedral crypt. ‘“‘ Who is it?’ inquired her aunt, on hearing an ejacula- tion drop from the young maiden’s lip. (C(O) nn) (C 0)(0)©) <Sii in