The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

122 REYNOLDS’ WORKS or, at all events, that you are not quite so depressed as you have hitherto been. You may think, Laura, that I have played a harsh part toward you, but I was merely doing my duty as a sister who is so much older than yourself that you stand in the light of a daughter toward me.” Laura made no answer; she could scarcely believe that her sister spoke in exact accordance with the truth, and yet it revolted against the natural generosity of her nature to arrive at a contrary conclusion. ‘“‘Tamsurethat you are making up your mind to be reason- able,’’ continued Mrs. Oxenden. “ I felt confident that when your mind became sufficiently calm for deliberate reflection, you would see how completely I have been studying your best interests. But you spoke to me this morning in the drawing-room as if you fancied it was otherwise, and per- haps I answered you impatiently, and even unkindly, when I appeared to upbraid you for compelling me to give the same explanations over and over again. I am sorry, dear Laura, if I did thus speak somewhat too hastily, and I was determined to take the first opportunity to remove that im- pression from your mind.” Laura gazed with her beautiful blue eyes earnestly upon her sister’s countenance, as if seeking for the assurance that a real affectionate sincerity characterized all that she had just said; and Mrs. Oxenden could scarcely prevent her looks from quailing beneath that gaze of artless innocence. ‘‘ Yes, my dear sister,’ resumed the wily woman, taking Laura’s hand and pressing it between both her own as if with the tenderest cordiality, ‘‘ I am indeed studying your best interests in everything that I suggest or propose. Suffer me — for the last time, I hope — to reason with you a little upon certain points, and thereby aid you in strengthening your mind and assisting you onward in that better course of feelings which you have for the last few hours displayed. You know, Laura, that Mr. Oxenden’s means are limited, that it is a government pension which he enjoys, and that it will die with him. Therefore at his death — which accord- ing to all natural probabilities will take place long before my own — I shall be left with such small income as will arise from my husband’s present savings and from an insurance on his life. Hitherto, my dear sister, I have been enabled to sup- port you in comfort if not in affluence, and upon this ground ECORMICLIIOOKS (E(0)