The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT OF LONDON CHAPTER I PAULINE WE have already stated that Pauline was too much ab- sorbed in her own mournful reflections to notice the excited manner of her father on this memorable morning. We have also observed that when Fernanda Aylmer knocked at the door, the young maiden hurried to the window and was dis- appointed when she found that the arrival was not the one which she was evidently awaiting in deep suspense. Resuming her seat upon the sofa, the beauteous Pauline gave way to her sorrowful meditations; but from time to time she looked at her watch, — that very watch which Lady Desborough had presented to her at the villa in the Edgeware Road. At length she observed that it was midday, and the ex- citement of suspense and impatience was becoming intoler- able. Drawing forth a note from her bosom, she read it with attention; and the tears fell from her eyes, moistening the page with their pearly shower. The contents of this letter were as follows: ‘“ CaRLTON House, Wednesday afternoon. “My Dear Miss PauLine:—I regret — deeply regret —to be compelled to address you upon a most unpleas- ant subject; but I implore you to tranquillize yourself 1 (GX ®) Anyi JOO