The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

THE MISER 85 peared not to have in her possession any papers calculated to show who she was.”’ | ‘“* And of course you well knew,” observed Lettice, with a smile, “‘ that such would not be the case with me. I have in this packet,” she continued, producing a small paper parcel, “‘ a variety of documents, which perhaps you will look over at your leisure.” ‘‘ And where have you left your luggage? ”’ inquired the lawyer. “At the railway station,” answered Lettice. “It was my purpose to ask you to recommend me to a suitable hotel, but sincezyou have been kind enough to insist that I shall take up my temporary abode beneath your roof, I will go and order my effects to be brought hither.” “TI cannot think of allowing you to go out again at this late hour,’”’ said Mr. Pollard. ‘‘ The very first thing in the morning I will procure some one to fetch your boxes from the termiuus. If you are not cold in this room without a fire, we will sit and chat a little ionger, and there will be no harm in my looking at these papers at once; it will save some trouble for the morrow, and then there will be nothing for you to do but sign the releases and receive your money.”’ Thus speaking, the old man proceeded to open the packet, and putting on his spectacles, he commenced the examination of the documents, musing audibly as he proceeded. “The certificate of your birth,— ay, to be sure. I re- member it well. The certificate of your marriage, and also this French paper containing the proof of your poor hus- band’s death. I am glad you brought it, as it is to a certain extent necessary. Ah! these, I see, are several letters of mine to you, merely on business matters. And here is your French passport; hair brown, eyes blue, stature tall, the least thing stout, and so on. Very good. We will now put up these papers again, and you can keep them. If I have looked over them, it was as a mere matter of form, and nothing else.” “Of course, my dear sir,’”’ answered Lettice, infinitely relieved when this new ordeal was over, ‘‘ you are bound to conduct the affair in a businesslike way. And now, with your permission, I will retire to rest, for I feel much fatigued.” Mr. Pollard rang the bell, and the summons was immedi- ately answered by Mrs. Webber, who had not long reéntered CORNICLOO@ Ss (E() mM