The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

172 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ever refreshments she stood in need of, for, as I tell you, she was In a swoon, and we took her right up to the secret chamber. Sir John was terribly vexed — ’’ “Vexed! And why?” asked Christian, astonished at such a remark. ‘‘ How could he be vexed? Why was it? ”’ ‘‘ Because he expected Mrs. Oxenden and her sister next day,’ replied the negress; ‘‘ he meant to marry the sister, as you already know, and therefore the presence of the new beauty in the secret chamber was an embarrassment and an encumbrance rather than a source of hope and de- light.” ‘‘Then why did he receive her at all? ’’ asked Christian, fancying that he discerned an inconsistency in the black woman’s tale. ‘Because the agents who had brought her could not possibly;take her back,” responded the negress, “‘ and because, under those circumstances, Sir John made up his mind that he would keep her here until after his marriage with Miss Hall, when it was to be my duty to restore her to freedom, — first binding her by the most fearful of oaths that she would never betray the place to which she had been brought. And: then, too, I was to make it appear that I risked every- thing by conniving at her escape, and that I must throw myself upon her gratitude for keeping the secret. Or if the worst should have happened, Sir John could easily have gone on the Continent with his young bride Laura, whom he hoped to possess, until everything was blown over. Such was the plan, Mr. Ashton, but as you perceive, death has made a wonderful change in the house — ”’ ‘““ And the old man possessed not his intended bride,” remarked Christian solemnly, ‘‘ and the hand of Heaven itself interposed to prevent that hideous sacrifice. But this young lady of whom you are speaking — ”’ ‘‘ My tale will soon be ended,” rejoined the negress. “ A few hours back I communicated to the young lady that when night came I would restore her to freedom, and — and — it was my intention to fulfil this promise just now, — indeed I was on the point of ascertaining if the house were all quiet, when you so suddenly burst into the room — ”’ “This room?” ejaculated Christian. ‘“‘ Then, it was a falsehood that you were shea forth to visit the pantry to procure food? ” — CORNICIOOKS (E(0)