The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

THE DISCARDED SUITOR 93 the most cordial welcome upon her lover’s much-valued friend, and it was even with a species of paternal kindness that the old gentleman treated Florina. ‘“ Now, I dare say,’ he exclaimed, making her sit beside him upon a sofa, “‘ that you are very anxious indeed to know what has taken place between me and your aunt? Well, I think, my dear Florina — for so you must permit me to eall you — that your aunt will give you the welcome intelli- gence that she is perfectly satished with a certain young gentleman’s rectitude of conduct.”’ “Ah, Mr. Gunthorpe,” murmured Florina, with blushes upon her cheeks and the light of joy dancing in her beauteous eyes, ‘“ how can I sufficiently thank you for having thus ‘cleared up the character of one — ”’ - _“ Whom yeu love so dearly, eh?’ interrupted Mr. Gun- thorpe. ‘“‘ Ah! you need not throw that dismayed look at your aunt. She will not reproach you for having kept this love a secret from her. She knows everything now.” ‘Yes, dearest Florina,” said Lady Macdonald, speaking with a most affectionate kindness, ‘“‘ Mr. Gunthorpe has told me everything, and I shall not chide you. To tell you the truth, for the last two or three weeks I have myself enter- tained serious misgivings as to whether your happiness was being truly and really consulted by this engagement with Lord Saxondale. But now I can hesitate no longer in giving you the assurance that it must be broken off.”’ ‘““ Oh, my dear aunt,” exclaimed the beauteous girl, bound- ing from her seat and embracing Lady Macdonald fervently. ‘You know not what happiness your words have given me. It was only in obedience to your wishes that I ever consented to receive a suit all along so odious to me.”’ ‘““ We will say no more upon that part of the subject, my dear Flo,’ interrupted her ladyship. ‘“ Mr. Gunthorpe has made me fully aware of the impropriety and imprudence of opposing the natural current of the heart’s affections. Be- sides, Florina, I have ceased to entertain any respect for Lady Saxondale. I have heard such sad things concerning her— But you are already acquainted with them all; Mr. Deveril has informed you of everything.”’ “And Mr. Deveril will receive permission,’ added Mr. Gunthorpe, ‘‘ to pay his respects to you, Florina, at your aunt’s house.” CORNICLOO© CS (E(O)