The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

= = sS,—“‘si‘i::C,LUlUhlhl lc le —— THE CLIFF 279 this there was no need to simulate, —she declared that a terrible accident had just occurred. They descended by the shortest way to the beach, and there beheld the minor canon and the horse both dead and frightfully mangled. Lilian, however, remained at a distance, but when the persons rejoined her again, they told her she would have to give evidence at a coroner’s inquest. This she did, and with a manner utterly de- fying suspicion that she herself had been the cause of the catastrophe, did she give a feasible version of the occurrence. The jury were satisfied, a verdict of ‘ Acci- dental death’ was returned, and Lilian Halkin embarked for France. On the morning which followed that of her departure, Miss Stanley received a letter containing these words: ‘“ DOVER. ““ My pear Lypra: —I am about to quit England for ever. Bernard Audley is no more. I beheld him perish in a manner that will doubtless strike you as being fraught with retribu- tive justice for the evil he has done me. It was a shock- ing accident that caused his death, and it was a strange chance that rendered me the spectatress thereof. The news- papers will furnish you with full particulars. ‘* At present I know not where I shall fix my abode, nor whether, indeed, I shall adopt any settled habitation at all. The agitation of my thoughts and the whirlwind which rages in my mind appear only to be compatible with a wild, erratic existence. ‘‘ But you shall hear from me occasionally; and as I must. now be dependent upon you for my bread, I shall period- ically let you know to what address you can forward me the trifle that will suffice for my wants. Had you con- tinued poor, Lydia, I would sooner have begged my bread. than have encroached upon your bounty, but as there is now wealth in the family, I hesitate not to crave the pit- tance which may sustain me. ‘“ We shall never meet again, dear Lydia, but you and all who are dear to you will constantly be present in my thoughts. ‘‘ Your affectionate sister, “THE UNFORTUNATE LILIAN.” CORNICLOO© <S (CO)