The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 173: what you’re looking at

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

170 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘ Not for worlds, sweet miss, would I have you stir out on my account,’’ interrupted Florimel. ‘‘ There are several insolent men, who appeared to be very tipsy, parading up and down the road; and they pursued my mother and my- self for a considerable distance. At length they rudely assaulted us, and we were separated. i fled in affright, hastening I knew not whither, and so bewildered and con- fused that I did not observe for several minutes that I was alone. You may concelve my terror when on stopping short, breathless and exhausted, I found that my mother was lost to my view. At the same instant I heard rapid footsteps approaching, and, dreading further outrage, I ventured to seek a refuge in your house, where I perceived light gleaming through the shutters. That refuge you have generously accorded; and now suffer me to become ac- quainted with the name of my kind hostess, that I may mention it again with gratitude elsewhere.”’ ‘““My name is Pauline Clarendon,’ was the answer. “ I regret that my father should be absent in the country, for, were he here, he would speedily consign to the hands of justice the insolent brawlers who have thus outraged you.” ‘Permit me, my dear Miss Clarendon,” said the nobleman, who had thus acquired the assurance that her father was not at home, — “‘ permit me to proffer you my friendship and solicit yours in return. My name is Gabriel Florimel — ”’ “Oh, what a charming name!” ejaculated Pauline, quite involuntarily. ‘‘ Gabrielle Florimel,’’ she repeated in a musing tone, and with that stress upon the final syllable of the Christian name which showed that she took it in the feminine gender. “ Yes, Gabrielle Florimel,” said the nobleman, instantly adopting the same pronunciation, which consisted merely in laying a stronger emphasis on the “‘el.’’ “‘ I am delighted that you are pleased with my name. Yours is not less beautiful — Pauline Clarendon.” ‘Pardon me, Miss Florimel,’’ said the young lady, hastily, ‘for having been so thoughtless and frivolous as to dwell on a name, when I should be thinking how I can best aid you in your present embarrassment. You will not permit me to go out and look for your mother? It is true that I am unacquainted with her person, but if she be wandering cComicbooks (Elo) m