The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 222: what you’re looking at

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

204 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the baronet. ‘‘ Sadly is she changed, too, since first I knew her. She was then young and good-looking — ” “And who is this unfortunate woman?” asked Mr. Redcliffe. “No one appears rightly able to give any explanation on the subject,’ returned Sir William Stanley. ‘‘ She wanders about the country in all directions, and has been seen more than a hundred miles from here. Sometimes she disappears altogether for several months, and then suddenly turns up again. There is a half-ruined hut about four miles hence, which she inhabits when in the neighbourhood, and as you may suppose, she lives entirely upon charity. I have often endeavoured to lead her into conversation, and ascer- tain if possible what she originally was, and what calamity turned her brain, but I have never succeeded in eliciting more than that she had seen better days, and that she had stood in the presence of ladies of the highest rank, but whether as a companion or a menial does not very plainly appear, though I should rather suspect in the latter ca- pacity.” The conversation presently turned into some other channel and the three gentlemen retraced their way to the mansion. ECORNICLOO (C@)