The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 229: what you’re looking at

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

226 THE COURT OF LONDON the dwellings, while shrieks and oaths bore unmistakable testimony to the violent quarrels that were going on in others. | Page knocked at the house which was the object of his visit to this quarter of the metropolis; and he was just thinking what course he should adopt in case his summons remained unanswered, when the door was opened by a young female holding a light in her hand. She was poorly dressed, but by no means bad-looking, for her features were regular, and her figure was good; but the dark circles around the eyes, the peculiar redness of the lips, and the extreme paleness of the cheeks, gave her a dissipated air, while the boldness of her looks at once proclaimed the unblushing courtezan. “Who are you? ’”’ she demanded, abruptly, almost inso- lently, upon opening the door. “Tf your name is Julia,” said Page, hastily, —for he did not admire the circumstance of being kept standing in the court, “it is of the utmost importance that I should have a private conversation with you as soon as pos- sible.” ‘“ But who are you, I again ask? ” cried the young woman, hesitating whether to admit the visitor, or not — indeed, uncertain whether to regard him as friend or foe. ‘““T was present at your father’s death last night,” returned Page, in a solemn and impressive manner. “Then walk in,” said Julia, standing back to allow him room to enter the narrow passage; and when he had com- plied with the invitation, she closed and fastened the door. Leading the way into an empty room opening from the pas- sage, she placed the candle on the mantelpiece, observing, in a comparatively civil tone, “‘ I am sorry, sir, that I cannot ask you up-stairs to the only chamber where there is any furniture, but, as you may suppose, my father is laid out there, and I can’t endure to look on a dead body.” “No apology is necessary,’ said Page. ‘‘ An accident brought me into this house last night, and hearing moans up-stairs, I went to see if I could render any assist- ance — ”’ ‘“ And you found my father dying? ” interrupted the girl, her voice indicating some emotion. ‘I didn’t know that he was so bad, or I wouldn’t have left him. In fact, when I went out in the evening, he was sitting up and able to walk, CONNIE OOO KS (E(0)