The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 194: what you’re looking at

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

176 REYNOLDS’ WORKS could I do yousuch injustice. Besides, after all,” she added, as if she thought it necessary to account for whatsoever change of features might have inspired our heroine with that mis- apprehension, ‘‘ there is nothing in this note that you may not see. I received it some months back, as you will observe by the date.” Thus speaking, the princess opened the letter, and handing it to Christina, bade her read it. Miss Ashton obeyed, and with considerable surprise read the following lines: ‘“ MORTIMER STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, “ January 11, 1848. “Mr. Redcliffe presents his most dutiful regards to her Highness the Princess of Inderabad, and begs to inform her it has come to his knowledge that some evil-disposed persons may probably seek to inveigle her Highness or the ayah Sagoonah into a snare, for purposes to which Mr. Redcliffe will not further allude. He however deems it his duty thus to put her Highness upon her guard, and if instructions be issued that no communication is to be held by her Highness’s de- pendents with strangers, every needful precaution will have been adopted. ‘““ Her Highness the Princess of Inderabad.” The moment she caught sight of the address from which the note was dated, and of the name of Redcliffe, an expression of surprise appeared upon Christina’s countenance, but this deepened into alarm as she continued the perusal of the letter. The princess failed not to observe the effect which it produced upon -her, and perceiving that the surprise was something apart from the announcement contained in the note itself, she said, ‘‘ What thus strikes you, my young friend? ”’ “Simply,”’ responded Christina, ‘‘ that I have some little acquaintance with the gentleman who penned this billet, and my brother — who has occasionally visited me here, with your ladyship’s kind permission — is far more intimate with him.” “Indeed, you know Mr. Redcliffe?’ said Indora, sub- duing as well as she was able the thrilling trepidation which she ever felt on breathing that name. Christina proceeded to explain how she herself had once ECOMmicoookS.E@