The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

160 REYNOLDS’ WORKS crime as this? No, rather study to repent of whatsoever evil you may have done, and at least by your future conduct make such atonement as lies in your power.” “But if every one looks coldly upon me, — if every one seems to scorn and revile me,” exclaimed Mrs. Oxenden, with a tone and look that seemed to express mingled anguish and bitterness, ‘‘ wherefore should I remain upon earth? ” ‘‘That persons look coldly upon you,” replied Christian, “is scarcely to be wondered at, as your own conscience must but too faithfully tell you. But that you have been reviled, I do not believe — ”’ ‘Nevertheless it is true!’ interrupted Mrs. Oxenden, vehemently. ‘“‘ The day which has just drawn to a close has been for me one prolonged agony. If I have encountered a domestic upon the stairs, he has flung at me some taunt, because they all look upon me as the instigatrix and the cause of the deceased baronet’s conduct, — a conduct in which they were more or less implicated, and which they know full well will shortly lead to their dismissal. Just now the maid servants whom I summoned to assist at my night toilet flung insults at me — ”’ “Can all this be indeed true?” asked Christian, with mingled astonishment and indignation. th ‘“‘ It is true,’’ responded Mrs. Oxenden, the tears trickling down her cheeks, and her half-naked bosom heaving with convulsing sobs. ‘“‘ Oh, it is true, and it is more than I can bear.”’ ‘“ But Sir Edgar Beverley,’’ replied our hero quickly, “ is ignorant of this, and not for a moment would he permit it. Whatever you may have been, whatever you may have done, so long as by his sanction you remain beneath his roof it is not for these menials to insult or taunt you; they who were themselves the too ready instruments of their vile master — though Heaven forgive me for speaking thus strongly against him now that he is gone.” “Can you wonder that I am excited? Can you wonder that I am frenzied, — that I am half-mad?’’ asked Mrs. Oxenden, speaking with vehement rapidity. ‘“ My sister looks coldly upon me, Sir Edgar addresses me in mono- syllables, you avoid me, Mr. Andrews displays a freezing politeness, which in itself is worse than downright rudeness, the domestics taunt me, and then this evening the maid ECORMICLIOO KS (E(0)