The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 339: what you’re looking at

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

THE LAMB AMONGST THE WOLVES © 317 and Louisa Stanley thus seated together in one of the elegantly furnished drawing-rooms of Leveson House. The damsel had arrived there, in company with the marquis, on the preceding evening; and she instantaneously became the object of so much kind attention and sisterly regard on the part of Ernestina, that she had already conceived a pro- found affection for her ladyship. To one of her artless simplicity and unsuspecting character such a sudden fancy was natural enough; and as she had previously heard from Lord Leveson how his niece Ernestina had very lately lost in so shocking a manner a husband to whom she was de- votedly attached, Louisa’s sympathy was already excited toward the afflicted lady before they even met. Indeed, the touching and pathetic tale which the marquis had told Louisa upon that subject was so artfully conceived as to appeal to all the tenderest feelings of the maiden, and thus predis- posed her naturally affectionate disposition to entertain a deep liking for Lady Ernestina. Thus was it that though Louisa Stanley had only been a. few hours beneath the same roof with Lord Leveson’s niece, the latter had already obtained a strong hold upon the unsuspecting girl and had insinuated herself entirely into her confidence. Therefore, as they now sat together, Ernes- tina was bending the kindest looks upon Louisa and con- versing with her in the softest and tenderest tones, while the maiden felt as if the music of that voice, so full of angelic commiseration and soothing gentleness, flowed like an ano- dyne into the recesses of her wounded heart. ‘“ My dear young friend,’’ said Lady Ernestina, “‘ you are doubtless most anxious for the return of my uncle.” ‘““ Ah! dear lady,” cried Louisa, ‘‘ can you not understand that I long to fold a beloved sister in my arms, — a sister from whom I have been separated for so many months? ”’ “ But I fear that there must be some mistake relative to your sister’s address,’’ observed the patrician lady. ““ However, we shall see in a few minutes; my uncle has been gone nearly an hour, and we may therefore expect his return every moment. Indeed, 1 wonder what keeps him so long.” “Is Stratton Street far from hence? ”’ inquired Louisa. “Far!” ejaculated Lady Ernestina. ‘‘ Oh, no, it is not five minutes’ walk; but I had forgotten that this is the first time you ever visited London. When you were giving me COMNICLOOO SS (CO)