The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWINS 181 whence their present resources were derived, and Lord Octavian did not seek by any insidious dexterity to fathom the matter. He saw that they were all ingenuousness, frankness, and inexperience, and he was fearful of shocking the delicate fibres of their minds by the display of aught savouring of undue curiosity. On rising to take his leave, he requested permission to call occasionally when he might happen to be passing that way. Christina gave no response, but Christian, delighted at what he considered a display of the kindliest and friendliest feeling, cheerfully proclaimed his assent. Lord Octavian Meredith had not taken his departure many minutes — and the twins were in the midst of self- congratulations that the duel had resulted without injury to either party — when Mrs. Macaulay burst somewhat suddenly into the room, with a visible consternation de- picted upon her countenance. The brother and sister both surveyed her in alarm, and she hastened to exclaim, ‘‘ Have I not heard you say, my dear young gentleman and lady, that Mr. Preston, of the Regent’s Park, is your friend, or guardian, or something of the sort? ”’ A quick affirmative burst from the lips of the twins; and it was with increased suspense, mingled even with terror, that they surveyed Mrs. Macaulay, for they were smitten with the presentiment that something serious had happened. “Do tell me,” she went on to exclaim, “‘ has Mr. Preston got much money of yours in his hands? ”’ “We do not know,” was Christian’s response. ‘‘ Indeed, we are utterly uninformed on the subject. But what has occurred? ”’ ““T am really very much afraid it will be a sad blow for you,” she said. ‘‘ Now, don’t alarm yourselves — I mean, don’t excite yourselves too much, though I dare say it will be exciting enough — ”’ “But what has occurred?’’ asked Christina, almost goaded to torture with anxiety. ‘‘ Do not keep us in sus- pense.”’ “Mr. Preston has run away,” responded Mrs. Macaulay. “He has committed forgeries to an immense amount. Placards are posted up offering a reward for his apprehen- sion, — I have just seen one, — and as the name struck me, EORNICLIIOOKS (E(O)