The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 346: what you’re looking at

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

EARL OF MONTGOMERY’S VISITORS — 315 merely temporary impression, but that it had undergone a sreat and signal change. Tossed upon the waves of doubt, suspense, and anxiety as Earl Montgomery was, and having all his thoughts absorbed in the grave and momentous position of his own affairs, he nevertheless was struck by the altered appearance of his friend; and, hastening to take him by the hand, he exclaimed, ‘‘ My dear Florimel, what is the matter with you? Has anything unpleasant occurred that you visit me so early? ”’ ‘Give me your patience for a few minutes, Eugene,”’ said the young nobleman, “and I will explain myself. You remember my page Rao— _ But of course you do, for more reasons than one. Well, that sable youth was none other than Caroline Walters, — the young girl whom you saw at Mrs. Brace’s — ”’ ‘‘ And whom you seduced, Gabriel,” observed Montgomery. “‘ But is this possible! Rao and Caroline Walters, the mur- deress, identical — 1 She i is innocent, Eugene, of the crime imputed to her,” interrupted Florimel; ‘‘ and a strange tale will no doubt transpire shortly, when the trial of Arthur Eaton, Lord Marchmont’s son, comes on. For it appears that the cases are to some extent connected. But of that no matter. Caroline Walters, mortally wounded by Mrs. Brace — ”’ ‘What! Mrs. Brace perpetrated another crime,” ex- claimed Montgomery. ‘‘ Wretched woman that she is! and to think how intimate she and I once were together.”’ ‘‘ Her mortal career is closed, Eugene,” said Lord Florimel, in a solemn tone. ‘“ During the past night she committed suicide by hanging herself in her cell — ”’ ‘Better to die thus than perish upon the scaffold,” ex- claimed Montgomery, with a singular emphasis. ‘‘ Oh, the gallows must be dreadful — dreadful! ’’ and he shuddered, as if he himself had some apprehension of the possibility of being overtaken by such a doom. ‘“ But when did you hear of Fanny Brace’s death? ”’ he inquired, almost immediately. ‘“‘ Late last evening I was sent for to Newgate to receive the dying confession and the sincere pardon of Caroline Walters,’ answered Florimel, who did not observe the Sinister nature of his friend’s emotions; ‘‘ and I promised the medical man that I would return this morning and see whether she still lingered on. Having passed a sleepless Eomichbooks (E(©)