The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 264: what you’re looking at

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

A SCENE IN THE DARK 237 ‘Tt is impossible to sleep with a strong current of air coming through this aperture,’ said Laura; and Jocelyn could hear by the elastic bound of her feet alighting upon the floor that she had leaped from the couch. ‘“ Permit me to do my best to stop that aperture,’ he said, rising from his seat and slowly advancing through the darkness toward the alcove. ‘‘ Perhaps I can replace the panel of the wainscot in such a manner as to protect you from the draught.”’ ‘“T do not believe it possible,’ said Laura, in a tone which evidently came from lips that were pouting with subdued ill-humour at the moment. “Then let us light a candle at any risk — ”’ “Ah! doubtless for you to see my face, now that you know the veil is off,’’ she cried, with a merry laugh. ‘“T can assure you, Miss Linden, that I have no imperti- nent curiosity of such a nature,’’ answered Jocelyn, in a voice coldly expressive of displeasure. “Oh, no, no,” ejaculated Laura, her humour suddenly changing again, and this time into a bitterness which she did not attempt to conceal, “‘ you have no curiosity of any kind, Mr. Loftus; your heart is ice — ice to the very core. I declare that it is almost an insult to a young and beautiful woman as [ am, that you have not spoken to me a single word such as young gentlemen do speak to young ladies. There — you know what I mean — but I cannot explain myself any better. At all events, I feel slighted, neglected. Why don’t you answer me, sir?” she exclaimed, with a petulance almost amounting to rage as she stamped her foot upon the floor. ‘“ Heavens! what a little demoness,’’ thought Jocelyn within himself; but in a cold and apparently unmoved manner, he said, “‘ Miss Linden, you thanked me just now for the brotherly kindness which, as you were pleased to observe, I manifested toward you when you felt unwell, and therefore you will perceive the inconsistency of at present accusing me of deliberately slighting you.” “ Answer me one question, sir,”’ exclaimed Laura, hastily and impetuously; ‘‘do you wish to escape hence? ”’ “Most assuredly,” replied Loftus. ‘‘ But wherefore a question so singular under the circumstances? ”’ “ Because you cannot escape without my assistance,”’ EGOMIIGIOOKS (CO)