The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 393: what you’re looking at

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

DOCTOR DUPONT’S ESTABLISHMENT 367 “ At last, ladies,” he said, saluting them with the profound respect of true French politeness, “‘ you are to see those in whom you are so deeply interested. Under my system of treatment they have been brought to the most satisfactory calmness of mind, and although it is impossible to foretell what effect a meeting with you may have upon them, yet I do not feel justified in excluding you any longer from their presence.”’ ‘‘ But their reason, doctor, their reason? ”’ exclaimed Mrs. Owen. ‘ Think you that it will ever be restored? ” ‘“ Madam, I should not be doing my duty,’’ was the grave response, ‘‘ if I buoyed you up with hopes that may never be fulfilled. I am therefore bound to inform you,” and he was about to draw her aside, so that Mary might not over- hear what he was going to say, “‘ that your daughters —’’ ‘Oh, for Heaven’s sake, let there be no secrets with me,” cried the young maiden. ‘‘ Suspense under such circum- stances were far less tolerable than a knowledge of the worst. Besides,’”’ she added, in a quick, hysterical tone of mental agony, “‘I already gather from your looks, Doctor Dupont, a, presage of what is passing in your mind.” ‘Yes, you must speak it in my poor girl’s presence,” said Mrs. Owen. “In that case,’’ continued the physician, “it is my painful duty to inform you both that, from all the symp- toms by which I am enabled to judge, I much fear that the minds of the two young ladies have received a shock from which they will never recover.’ Mary said nothing, but clasped her hands despairingly, while Mrs. Owen turned aside, and sinking upon a chair, was for some minutes convulsed with grief. “Now, my dear madam,” said the doctor, at length breaking silence, ‘‘ and you also, Miss Owen, I must beg and implore of you both to put as strong a restraint upon your feelings as possible. Remember, I am by no means certain as to the result of the interview which is about to take place. With all my experience I can foretell nothing upon that point. It may prove beneficial, or the very reverse; it may soothe, or it may excite. If my two fair patients recognize their mother and their sister, they will most probably melt into softness, and the effect would be advantageous; but, un- fortunately, in these cases the very persons who ought to be (CO) nn) GDoOOo So! in