Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

LADY EVERTON 173 husband’s departure for India, she became attached as principal lady in waiting to the Princess Sophia, and at one of the receptions given by that princess, in her apartments at St. James’s Palace, she met the former object of her affection, who had recently become Marquis of Eagledean. That meeting was an interesting one, — one full of a touch- ing pathos-and of sorrowful reflections for both; inasmuch as they soon discovered that their mutual love had abated not, but was, if possible, stronger than ever. They could not help thinking that if only two or three short years had been allowed to elapse ere Alexandrina was disposed of in marriage, she might have accompanied to the altar the individual who had won her heart and whose position in life had been destined to undergo so remarkable a change. That meeting led to others. ‘‘ Alexandrina’s husband was far away, she did not love him, she scarcely even respected him, because she felt that she had been dragged as his victim to the altar; she knew that her loveliness had served as a chaplet to be interwoven amidst the laurels which adorned his brow. The Marquis of Eagledean remained unmarried, — he had vowed never to marry, — his heart cherished the image of Alexandrina, and she knew all this. Their meetings did not continue innocent; their mutual passion was above control; they were culpable. In a short time Lady Everton found that she was in a way to become a mother. She made a confi- dante of her principal lady’s-maid, Mrs. Burnaby, who was a widow, and a trustworthy person. I should, moreover, observe that she was a reduced gentlewoman at the time she first entered Lady Everton’s service, that she was well educated, and altogether the most eligible female for the important trust to be reposed in her. But it was necessary to admit others into Alexandrina’s confidence, and the housekeeper at Everton Park, likewise a discreet and kind- hearted woman, was one. Another was the maid next in rank to Mrs. Burnaby, and then came the medical man who attended upon the household at the Park. But all the arrangements were so well settled, and the persons engaged were so trustworthy, that Alexandrina’s position remained unsuspected by the world, and in due course a daughter was born. This was in 1818. The cottage near Tottenham had been already hired and furnished, and a wet-nurse Gomichdoo ‘S (FO)