The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

\ e 1s ‘ 5 c ~ 3 2 ‘ ~ . * . ~~ * 3 * = . - . 5 o s = 99 . . . of . . - PI ~ o 2? ~ . ~ 202 public-house where his worthy acolyte and pupil Bill Scott was awaiting his presence, he lurked about in the lane and its vicinage for upwards of a quarter of an hour. No farther circumstance, however, transpired to renew or confirm his sus- picions; and as he at length moved slowly away towards the low publie-house or boozing-ken where he had established his head-quarters, he said to himself, ‘‘ No—it’s nuffin to be geared at. As for hostesses, blow me if I’m the chap which is likely to be surreptitious—superstitious, I mean: and as for any von a-listenin’ at the gate and then bowling- off in such a manner as that—no, it’s all nonsense. "Twas no doubt a servant-gal a-running for ft | beer; and some of them gals does flit along just | for all the world as if they was wild.” | While thus musing, Barney the Burker pursued | his way towards the boozing-ken; and in the meantime we must see what had taken place within the dwelling of Mr. Anthony Pollard. Scarcely had Mrs. Webber issued forth from the house into the back yard, when there was a knock at the front door; and Mr. Pollard, not hearing his housekeeper answer the summons, imagined that she must be otherwise engaged: he aceord- ingly proceeded himself to ascertain who if might be. Taking the candle in his hand, he repaired to the door; and on opening it, perceived a lady of tall stature, well developed form, and good apparel. He at once conceived that this must be Mrs. Ray- ner; but with his habitual caution, he waited for her to announce herself. “Mr. Pollard,”. said Lettics ; ey: for she indeed the visitress was: “we meet again after a long interval.” “It is then you, Louisa,’ said the old miser: and he took Lettice’s hand. “Walk in: I have been expecting you: how is it that you came not before? You must speak loud—for I am afflicted with deafness “JT experienced an accident,” answered Lettice, “which detained me for a few days.” “What! on the railway ?” ejaculated Pol- lard “Yes: L was in the train which ran off the lines and upset, causing such dreadful injuries and loss of life “Indeed! It was suggested to me,” continued THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. wearied, and still ar from the effects of the recent accident. Now that I have paid my respects and satisfied myself that you are in good health, I will repair to some hotel; and to-morrow will wait upon you at any hour you may choose to ap- * I thoucht that perhaps you would make my house your home for a day or two,” answered Pol- lard: “indeed, your bed-chamber is in readiness. It is the very same you occupied ten years ago.” * You are exceedingly kind,” answered Lettice : “and it would be ungrateful indeed on my part tint to do your bidding in all things. I have to thank you, Mr. Pollard, for the manner in which you have carried out the trust confided to you by my deceased father—the regularity with which you have made me my periodical remittances > “ There i is no need to thank me,” answered Pol- lard; “‘and yet I am of course glad that you are satisfied with my guardianship. You will give me . eredit, Louisa, for having abstained from reproach when you took a certain step +1 “ Do not allude to it, my dear sir!” interrupted Lettice, carrying her kerchief to her eyes: “it reminds me but too painfully of my irreparable loss !”” « Yes, yes—it must,” said the old miser. “ You will reniain here, then, fora day or two? It will please me to have the society of one whom I knew as a child, but whom I have not seen until now since her girlhood. Ilearnt that you had grown up into a fine handsome woman, and I was not deceived. I should not have known you—no, I should not have recognised you: you are different from what I expected you to be—and yet there is the same colour of the hair—yes, and the eyes too —but the profile has taken developments of which your girlhood gave but little promise.” While thus speaking, Anthony Pollard contem- plated Lettice Rodney with earnest attention—but yet without any suspicion in his looks or his man- ner. This was an ordeal that put all her powers of hypocrisy and dissimulation to the test: it was however one which she had naturally foreseen she would have to pass through, and for which she was consequently prepared. She bore that scrutiny | well,—affecting to smile and blush modestly at the compliment which was paid to her beauty ;—and Pollard, “that you might be a passenger by that | that blush also served asa-veil for any little trifling ill-fi ted train; and I was not altogether without | confusion which she could not altogether prevent. the apprehension that you yourself might have | It was quite evident that the old man had not the been the unfortunate lady who was not recognised. _Yemotest misgiving as to the identity of his visitress However, Lam heartily glad that it is otherwise ; with Mrs. Rayner; and it was therefore only with and I give yousuch poor welcome as my house can | a business-like caution that he proceeded to give afford. Step into the parlour:’—then, as he led | to the conversation that turn which it now took. the way thither, he exclaimed with an air of| “ We were speaking a few minutes back of the vexation, “ Dear me, how provoking! That house- | railway accident,’ he said; “and I may now ob- keeper of mine has let the fire go out:”—although serve that my apprehension as to your having lost he perfectly well knew that such was the case. your life on the occasion, was but a feeble one— “Pray, my dear Mr. Pollard,’ said Lettice, as- inasmuch as the unrecognised lady appeared not to suming a tone and manner of the sweetest affa- have in her possession any papers calculated to bility, “do not put yourself out of the way on my ' show who she was.” account. Indeed, I am well aware that it is an * And of course you well knew,” observed Let- unseemly hour for me to call: but I considered it | tice, with a smile, “that such would not be the my duty to pay my respects the very first moment | case with me. JI have in this packet,” she con- of my arrival in your* town. I have only just | tinued, producing a small paper parcel, “a variety stepped from the train i of documents, which perhaps you will look over at “And you will take refreshment?” said Mr. | your leisure.” Pollard, advancing towards the bell-pull. “ And where have you left your luggage P” in. “No, I thank you,” responded Lettice: “I am | quired the lawyer. MICOOOKS “(e(0) (c©)