The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

356 THE COURT OF LONDON come which he is to expect in the situation placed at his dis- posal. It may be a trifle more, but I am very certain it is not less. Mr. Chapman would have taken him into his establishment in London if I had chosen, but considering all the circumstances of the past, I thought it better that Theodore should go abroad, at all events for a few years. I am well aware how deeply he feels the past, but all the poignant memory thereof will be effaced when he shall have had a full opportunity of what the world calls retrieving his good name. Of course, knowing everything as I do, I may speak thus candidly to you, and now you understand the reasons which have induced me to procure him this situation abroad.”’ “Sir Douglas Huntingdon, I feel and appreciate the delicacy of your conduct even more if possible than its generosity,” and the damsel’s sweet azure eyes were raised for a moment with a look of heartfelt gratitude, and then they fell again upon her work; but for truth’s sake we are bound to say that the stitches she was now making were not very regular, nor such as she herself would have approved of had her thoughts been less confused and more concen- trated in her occupation. “ And now you must tell me, Miss Varian,” resumed the baronet, “‘ whether you yourself will like to go abroad? ”’ ‘“‘ Oh, I would go to the ends of the earth in company with that dear brother,’’ she exclaimed, ‘‘ who has been so kind to me.” ‘Humph! ” said the baronet. ‘ The ends of the earth, eh? Then you are fully prepared to leave England? But you do not answer me. Of course you could not prefer, as a matter of choice, to leave your native land for so long a period. And yet I do not suppose you have any particular tie to bind you to London? ”’ ‘“T hope,” said Ariadne, in a voice which proved how deeply she was struggling to keep down the emotions that were rising up in her throat, “‘ that you will permit me to see your kind housekeeper, Mrs. Baines, before I leave, for I never can forget her goodness to me while I was at your house.”’ “Most certainly, you shall see Mrs. Baines,’? answered the baronet. ‘“ By the bye, I can tell you an anecdote that will illustrate the goodness of that excellent woman’s char- comicloooks CO