The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

THE THOROUGHBREDS 7 Florina would have remained there altogether to attend upon her brother, but Harold preferred being left alone, as he said, that the shock which he had sustained had left an exceeding drowsiness behind it. Mr. Hawkshaw stayed to dinner, which was served up as usual between six and seven o’clock. He and Juliana walked out together in the garden afterward, the other ladies remaining indoors. Between eight and nine o’clock the squire and Miss Farefield ascended to the drawing-room, where Lady Saxondale, Lady Mac- donald, and Florina were seated. ‘How gets on the patient? ’’ asked the squire. ‘‘ With your ladyship’s permission I will pay him another visit, and then perhaps he will like to be left quiet for the rest of the evening.” “Do so,” responded Lady Saxondale, to whom the re- mark was addressed. ‘‘ I willaccompany you. And, Florina, perhaps you will come with us? ”’ The three accordingly proceeded to Staunton’s chamber, and in answer to their queries he said that he felt very stiff and sore, that he was much bruised, and feared he should — be unable to leave his chamber for some days. Florina again urged the necessity of having professional assistance, but her brother said that it was useless, and Mr. Hawkshaw himself did not consider it to be by any means necessary, adding that a good night’s rest would do wonders for him. “We will therefore leave his lordship to his repose,’’ said Lady Saxondale. “ The bell-pull is within your reach, and I have given orders that your slightest wants or wishes are to be attended to.” ‘My grateful thanks are due to your ladyship,”’ replied Staunton, with as much respect as if not the slightest improper intimacy had ever taken place between himself and the splendid mistress of the castle. Her ladyship, Florina, and Mr. Hawkshaw wished Harold good night, and quitted the chamber, returning to the draw- ing-room, where they reported to Lady Macdonald and Juliana how the patient was getting on. ‘““T must now leave you to amuse yourselves as best you can for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour,”’ said Lady Saxondale, ‘‘ while I repair to the library to write a few let- ters.”’ COMNICLOO© cS (GO)