The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

THE DUCAL SECRETARY 107 “Through me?” ejaculated our young hero; but his cheeks became the colour of scarlet, for he felt as if the keen eyes of the landlady were penetrating to the inmost recesses of his heart. “‘ Yes, to be sure, through you, Mr. Ashton,” she repeated, —“‘leastways, on your account. I hadn’t ought to have took you unbeknown to that there Mr. Gibson.” “ And who is Mr. Gibson? ”’ inquired Christian, who now thought he might possibly hear something in respect to the mystery which had appeared to envelope the object of his love. “Why, Mr. Gibson is the person who put Miss Vincent with me and paid for her board and lodging.” ‘‘ And how long had Miss Vincent been with you? ”’ “Not more than three months or so,” rejoined Mrs. Chubb; “ and it is wery wexing that she should have gone like this. But who on earth she can be I haven’t no more idea than the man in the moon.” “ But it surely was not this Mr. Gibson’s own carriage? ”’ ‘““In course not, — or else he wouldn’t have got upon the box. To think that Miss Vincent, who lived here for a guinea a week, should have had a carriage sent to fetch her away —”’ “ And where is she going to?”’ interrupted Christian, his heart palpitating with suspense as he awaited the reply. “Ah! that’s quite unbeknown to me,’’ responded Mrs. Chubb. ‘ Mr. Gibson was always precious close, and Miss Vincent herself never said a word about any relations or friends that she might have. But I always thought that there was some little mystery about the young lady. She lived for a long time with Mr. Hickman, our clergyman that was; and when he died it was through his widow’s recommenda- tion that Mr. Gibson put Miss Vincent with us — Chubb, you see, being parish clerk.’ ‘“‘ And how long did Miss Vincent live in the clergyman’s family? ” asked Christian. “Very nigh two year,’ rejoined Mrs. Chubb. ‘‘ She was fourteen years old when she was fust put in Mr. Hickman’s family. She was in deep mourning, for her mother had just died; and I did hear it whispered that she was a lady of title, but I don’t know how true it may be, for Miss Vincent never spoke to me about her family. And to tell you the SS (E() im CORNICLOO