The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

4 THE COURT OF LONDON “Mr. Varian, I presume? ”’ said the baronet, advancing and taking the young man’s hand. “And you are Sir Douglas Huntingdon?” was the tremulous and indeed broken response; but although Theodore could say no more at the instant, yet he pressed the baronet’s hand in token of ineffable gratitude. “It is a melancholy scene for you, Mr. Varian,” con- tinued Sir Douglas, ‘‘ but you must bear up with becoming fortitude against this affliction.” ‘“ Oh, that I had been here in time to fling one last look upon her sweet face, to imprint one last kiss upon her fore- head!’ murmured Theodore, clasping his hands and sob- bing convulsively. ‘‘ It would not bring her back to life, it would not restore to me my dearly beloved sister, but, never- theless, it would be a satisfaction, a melancholy, mournful satisfaction.”’ ‘“ Do you really wish it, Mr. Varian? ”’ asked Sir Douglas, deeply moved by the young man’s almost heart-broken anguish. “TI do, I do,” he answered, eagerly. ‘‘ You know not, sir, how fondly, how devotedly, I have loved that dear sister of mine. Ah! sir, it was for her sake that I fell into the ways of error— But let that pass,’’ he exclaimed, suddenly checking himself as he was reminded by the baro- net’s look that there were many strangers in the room; and although they of course knew who he was, since his name had been mentioned on his entrance, yet it was by no means necessary to enlighten them as to all the details of the past. ‘Your wish shall be attended to, Mr. Varian,” said the baronet. ‘ It is but reasonable, it is but just; and, more- over, it will not detain the funeral procession many minutes.”’ Then, turning to the undertaker, he said, “‘ Remove that coffin-lid once more. This gentleman is the brother of the deceased.” Mr. Stimson and his men immediately set to work to obev the command they had just received, and in a few minutes the lid of the coffin was lifted away. Theodore Varian then approached, with that species of hesitation and reluctance which characterizes the first glance which a loving one bestows upon the beloved dead; but on reaching the head of the coffin, he stood gazing down fixedly and mourn- Gomicbooks (E(0) m