The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 247: what you’re looking at

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

216 THE COURT OF LONDON make another attempt to bring him within the circle of my influence — ”’ ‘’ Let us not despair on that head, my dear Laura,” in- terrupted Margaret. Lady Bellenden made no response; but, heaving a low and long sigh, she fell into a profound reverie. In about an hour from the moment of quitting the village, the travelling-carriage emerged from the by-lane which it had been pursuing, and entered a broader road. ‘* There!’’ suddenly ejaculated the marchioness, as she pointed from the window toward a bridge which was in the course of being erected over a clear stream about ninety or a hundred feet wide. ‘ Yes, that is the spot,” cried Margaret, a visible shudder agitating her whole frame. ‘“‘ Ten or a dozen years have elapsed since I was last in this neighbourhood, and great improvements have been made. ‘This wide road, that bridge — ”’ ‘Ah! that bridge,’’ added the noble lady; and she ex- changed significant looks with her faithful dependent. The carriage was now leaving the bridge behind and advancing along the road toward a small farmhouse about a quarter of a mile distant, and the white walls of which gleamed forth from the midst of the foliage that enhanced the picturesque beauty of the landscape. ‘“ Behold Malden Farm,” said the marchioness. ‘“‘ There are the same heavy overhanging gables, the same small and deep-set windows, with their diamond-fashioned panes, the same portico with the creeping clematis, which I remember years and years ago when first I visited the Bellenden estates.”’ ‘And there, too,’ added Margaret, looking toward a splendid mansion which stood upon an eminence about a couple of miles beyond the farm, ‘‘ there, too, is Bellenden Hall, the finest country-seat in Warwickshire. The whole domain which the view can-now embrace belongs to thee, dear Laura; and, thank Heaven! the hated Montgomerys shall not wrest it from thy grasp. But are you decided upon stopping at Malden Farm instead of going on to the hall? ”’ “Yes, such is my intention, Margaret,’’ responded the noble lady.. “ You know that I have not long to remain in Warwickshire, that this lawsuit compels my immediate Gomicdsooks (E()