The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 220: what you’re looking at

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

202 REYNOLDS’ WORKS “He is a strange man, Robert,” observed the baronet, ‘*‘ and chooses to do things in his own way. I heard it men- tioned in Calcutta that he had been for many years resident — some said a prisoner — in the capital of Inderabad. It was moreover stated that he was possessed of considerable wealth. That he is the bravest of the brave, I had the best proof when he delivered me from the murderous villains in the jungle; that he is magnanimous and noble-hearted, his conduct in respect to Lettice Rodney fully certifies. It must not however be thought for a single moment that his acquaintance with this young woman originated in anything immoral. Far from it.” “TI long to form the friendship of this admirable man,”’ exclaimed the warm-hearted Captain Stanley. At this moment a post-chaise was seen approaching through the grounds, and as it drew near, the baronet rec- ognized Mr. Redcliffe as its occupant. He alighted to join the two gentlemen, and the chaise went on to the hall to deposit his portmanteau. The baronet grasped his guest warmly by the hand, and then introduced him to his son. Mr. Redcliffe stated that he had just come from seeing Lettice Rodney in the gaol, and he expressed his conviction of her full and complete innocence of the murder, whatever her other misdeeds might have been. The baronet, the captain, and Mr. Redcliffe extended their | ramble to where the grounds joined the road leading to Liver- b pool, and as they were about to turn back again, a strange- looking woman rose up from the other side of the fence, — she having been previously seated there. She was tall and thin, and if her complexion had been swarthy, she might have been taken for one of the gipsy race, but instead of being dark, it had evidently in her more youthful period been fair, and it was now partly sallow and partly sun-burnt. Her countenance was exceedingly emaciated and care-worn, and a certain wild, wandering expression in the eyes showed but too plainly that the unfortunate creature’s intellects were unsettled. Her hair — once dark — was streaked with gray, and yet she did not appear to be old; indeed, if her age were two or three years past forty, it was the very outside. As for her apparel, it was this that at the first glance gave her a gipsy aspect. It consisted of an old cotton gown, with a dingy cloak over it, and instead of a bonnet or cap, tll ali” ted Sn vial en ee ; — i 4 : he cS TE CE AOE DF EE ate, #P Fi Gomichbooks:;com