The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 143: what you’re looking at

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

PHILANTHROPY 121 in their black frames imparted the same unvaried gloom to the chamber. There, too, was the old dame’s easy chair with its high back; a good sea-coal fire was blazing in the erate, its lambent flames playing up the wide-mouthed chimney; and, behold! there was another black cat, lazily opening its sparkling, glasslike green eyes, as it lay rolled up on the hearth-rug, yes, another cat to replace the one which Fernanda had poisoned. The midwife courteously besought her visitors to be seated; then, depositing herself in the easy chair, she put on her great horn spectacles with the large round glasses, and her reptile-like eyes glanced inquiringly toward Lord Holder- ness. ““T see that you more than half-suspect that this is my husband, dear Mrs. Lindley,” said Fernanda, observing the significant look; ‘‘ and you are right. He is aware that I passed some time in your establishment, and the manner in which I have spoken of you has induced him to become your patron.” ‘Hush, my dear lady, not so loud! ” whispered the mid- wife, placing her long, thin, parchment-like forefinger to her lip; ‘‘ the very walls have ears, you know. But I congratu- late your ladyship upon your marriage. I saw it mentioned in the newspaper, and I was pleased to think you were so comfortably settled.” ‘“‘ Let us proceed to business, madam, if you please,’ said Lord Holderness, “ for her ladyship and myself have not much time to spare.” “‘ To business, then, my lord,” observed the midwife. ‘“‘T will explain the matter as concisely as possible,” said Fernanda. ‘“ His lordship has a niece, a young, charming, and beautiful girl, nobly born, too, who is in a way to be- come a mother, and whose shame would redound upon a family with a reputation as yet unsullied. This unfortunate young creature, Mrs. Lindley, will be placed under your charge to-morrow night. But she must be introduced hither with the utmost secrecy.” “Yes, yes, I understand,’ whispered Mrs. Lindley. ** You need scarcely give me such precise instructions upon that head. If your ladyship will name the hour at which I may expect my new patient to-morrow night, I shall be prepared to receive her.” | 6)(0)(©)