The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 207: what you’re looking at

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

180 REYNOLDS’ WORKS Sir Edgar’s toilet was speedily finished; he and our hero descended to the breakfast parlour, and almost immediately afterwards Laura made her appearance. When the usual ereetings were exchanged, Sir Edgar addressed his beloved in the following manner: | ‘“My dear Laura, it is with deep regret I have to inform you that fresh circumstances have transpired to prove the impropriety of your sister remaining any longer beneath this roof. For your own reputation’s sake there must be an im- mediate and complete severance between you both. You know me too well to suspect for an instant that I should act unjustly or tyrannically, and you will be satisfied, dear Laura, with my simple assurance of the necessity of this step; you will not ask me for those details which would only shock the purity of your own feelings — ’’ ‘‘ Alas, my unhappy sister!’’? murmured the weeping Laura, “ but I know, Edgar, that whatever you do is for the best.” “Thank you, my beloved, for this assurance,’ exclaimed the baronet. ‘‘ And now wipe away those tears; it is not for you to be saddened by the iniquity of others. No, no, happiness awaits you, Laura — ”’ ‘“‘T enjoy it now,” she murmuringly added, “‘ in all respects save on my sister’s account.” ‘“‘ And fear not,’ Beverley hastened to observe, “ that you will be without a suitable companion. There is one beneath this roof who is worthy to be your friend, whom you will regard as such, and whom you can love. She herself will explain what circumstances brought her thither, and when I add that she is as dear to Mr. Ashton, as you, my Laura, are to me, I know that it is sufficient to induce you to display every attention, Go, therefore, to Miss Vincent, dearest Laura, and in the meanwhile your sister will take her departure.” The young lady quitted the room, and in about five min- utes the baronet rang the bell to inquire, through the medium of one of the female domestics, whether Mrs. Oxenden had yet left her chamber, for we should observe that Laura now no longer occupied the sleeping apartment which was next to the one tenanted by her sister. Christian temporarily with- drew from the breakfast-parlour, while Sir Edgar Beverley had a last interview with Mrs. Oxenden. We need not enter ECORNICLIOO KS (E(0)