The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

134 REYNOLDS’ WORKS care I for that? Laura will be mine, and if we be poor in one sense, we shall be rich in the wealth of our heart’s love. Oh, yes, my dear Ashton, I am supremely happy, I am full of hope and confidence. We will scatter all difficulties to the winds, and never, never will you have served a more srateful friend than I shall prove myself to you.” | “I know it,” answered Christian. ‘“‘ And now tell me, what course are we next to pursue? ”’ . ‘“‘TIt is as we suspected,” resumed Beverley. ‘ My vil- lainous uncle seeks to make Laura his bride, and her vile sister — alas, that I should be thus compelled to speak of my beloved’s nearest relative! —is the chief agent in carrying out the hoped-for sacrifice of youth and innocence to old age and iniquity. But by some means Laura has succeeded in lulling them into security, and by a wrong interpretation of certain words she has uttered they flatter themselves that she has given her consent. Not, however, that their vigi- lance is relaxed; on the contrary — ”’ | “We will baffle them, however watchful they may be,” exclaimed Christian. ‘‘ Pray proceed.’’ “It appears that Laura sleeps in a chamber situated between two others,’ continued Beverley. ‘‘ The first — which opens from the landing — is occupied by her sister, Mrs. Oxenden; then comes her own; and beyond that is a dressing-room in which a bed has been made up for the - accommodation of a horrible negress whose influence has been used to coerce and intimidate the poor girl.’ ‘But is there a window to Miss Hall’s apartment? ”’ inquired Christian, hastily. ‘‘I mean, is there a window looking upon the front or back of the house? ”’ “It looks upon the front,’’ answered Beverley, “‘ and she has so accurately described it in her letter that we cannot possibly mistake it. She moreover tells me that it will not be difficult for her to retire to her chamber at about half- © past nine o’clock this evening; the negress will not seek the dressing-room until ten, and Mrs. Oxenden will not repair to her own chamber until half an hour later. What- ever, therefore, is to be done must be accomplished between half-past nine and ten o’clock.”’ ‘There are thirty good minutes,” exclaimed Christian, ‘“‘and almost as many seconds would be sufficient for our purpose. We will enlist the services of the friendly mounte- ECORMICLIOOKS (E(0)