The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 357: what you’re looking at

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

WOLVES THROWING OFF DISGUISE 335 that you were at Leveson House or even in London at all. But the truth is this: your sister was indeed absent from town with Mr. and Mrs. Beckford, but she came back suddenly and alone, in order to execute some little commis- sion for Mrs. Beckford. She arrived in Stratton Street only a few minutes after the marquis had left. Knowing his evil reputation, she was shocked and horrified at the idea of her sister being beneath his roof; and as I happened to call at the moment, she besought me to come with this note which you have just read. My carriage is at the door, and so soon as you are ready, I shall have much pleasure in escorting you to Stratton Street.” Louisa hastened up-stairs for her bonnet and scarf, with which she speedily returned to the Crimson Drawing-room, well pleased at encountering neither the marquis nor Lady Ernestina upon the stairs. Having rung the bell, she ordered the footman who answered the summons to have her trunk taken down to the baronet’s carriage, which was waiting at the door; and when, in a few minutes, the domes- — tic announced that her commands had been executed, she accompanied Sir Douglas Huntingdon from Leveson House. And now who can describe the feelings of this young, beautiful, and artless girl as she took her seat in the vehicle which was to convey her to that sister from whom she had been separated for five long months? Yet while rolling along in the handsome equipage, she did not forget to renew her thanks to Sir Douglas Huntingdon for the immense service which he had rendered her; but he assured the charming girl that he was only too happy in having arrived at Leveson House so seasonably as to rescue her from the. peril in which the darkest and deepest treachery had placed her. Indeed, to tell the truth, as Sir Douglas Huntingdon contemplated with respectful admiration the lovely damsel by his side, he could not help thinking that there was even in the world a pleasure more genuine and more sweet than to triumph over innocence, — namely, to rescue it from impending ruin. But neither the baronet nor Louisa had many minutes for reflection or conversation, inasmuch as the carriage soon dashed up to the door of a handsome house in Stratton Street; and looking forth from the window of the vehicle, COMMUC 0)(6\(0) “S$ (EO) im