The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

THE CATASTROPHE 249 interval of a few instants struggling and battling with con- vulsive desperation in the armchair whence it was but too evident he could not extricate himself. The flames were pouring like a torrent around him. In another instant he was utterly enveloped therein, and his appalling cries reached the ears of the horror-stricken spectators. Then another portion of the building gave way, a huge column of fire shot up as if a volcano had suddenly burst forth beneath the very foundations of the mansion, and no more was seen or heard of the wretched marquis. Finally, it appeared that when a muster subsequently took place of all who had succeeded in escaping from the conflagration, Lord Leveson, Lady Ernestina, the nurse, the lady’s-maid, and the old house- keeper were missing. The fire had continued to burn for some hours afterward, and now, amidst the charred and blackened remains, it was impossible to discover the slightest trace of those human beings who had fallen victims to its fury. , The origin of the conflagration appeared to be enveloped in the deepest mystery. It was impossible to account for so sudden and furious an outburst of the desolating element, and the utter ruin which had been caused prevented the possibility of discovering the source of the disaster. The prevailing opinion, however, was that it had arisen from an accident; and in his den in Fleet Lane did the Hangman still gloat over the idea of the vengeance he had consum- mated and the wreck he had caused. Lord Algernon Cavendish, who by this catastrophe had become Marquis of Leveson and the sudden possessor of enormous wealth, was overpowered with grief at the terrific fate of his sister. Oh, to have been in time to see her ere she thus perished miserably, to have learned from her lips that she was peni- tent for the past, and that she deplored the errors into which her strong passions had led her, this would have been a solace to the generous-hearted young nobleman. Little recked he for the nobler title, the more exalted rank, and the vastly superior riches which he thus inherited. His soul was stricken with grief to think that his uncle and his sister should have died in so shocking a manner. (Cl) nn) GDOo S (Gi © nin