The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

178 REYNOLDS’ WORKS remarks he went on to make. “I cannot lead a life of idle- ness. I long to be placed in some position that will enable me to earn something. If it be charity we are dependent upon, the sooner we escape from such a humiliating position the better; but if it be that our dear deceased uncle, on dying so suddenly, left us some property, and that this Mr. Preston is his executor, and, so to speak, our guardian, I wish he would tell us exactly how we are situated and what we have to rely upon, much or little. I am determined, Christina, that when the monthly pay-day comes around again, I will ask firmly, but of course respectfully, for some little information on these points.”’ “Yes, you shall do so, Christian,’’ was the sister’s re- sponse. ‘“‘ It was a year last Monday,” she added, with a sigh, ‘‘ that our dear uncle was smitten with death in so shocking a manner, and only last Monday, therefore, that we put off the mourning we had worn for him.” ‘‘ And during all this time,’’ added Christian, ‘‘ we have learned no more of the circumstances in which we were left by Mr. Ashton than we knew on the very day of his demise, unless it be that Mr. Preston became in some way or another interested in our behalf. Ah, I hoped when, six months back, he sent for us to come up from our own pleasant little village to this great metropolis, that it was to do some- thing for me, to give me a profession or an employment, to put me in a way to carve out for myself some career suitable to my tastes. But no, nothing of the sort. Here we have been six months in these lodgings, and I am no farther advanced in my hopes than I was on the day of our arrival. But, ah, I must not repine; it is perhaps wicked in me to do so, for we have enough to support us comfort- ably, and our wants being limited, twelve guineas a month are a little fortune.” ‘“T am not sorry, dearest brother, to hear you speak now and then in a way which proves that you possess proper manly aspirations,’ and as Christina uttered these words, her looks were bent with inexpressible fondness, mingled with a sisterly admiration, upon Christian. At this moment one of the servants of the household entered the room, and said, ‘‘ Please, miss, here’s a gentle- man inquiring for you. He says he is Mr. Percival.”’ ‘“Then he is safe! ’’ murmured Christina, with a look of ECORMICLIOO KES (E(0)