The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

ISABELLA AT VERNER HOUSE 181 into minute details of what passed between them on the occasion. Suffice it to say that the lady’s eyes flashed ma- lignant fires when she learned that Christian had communi- cated everything to the baronet, but she was somewhat re- lieved from the bitterness of her vexation when he assured her that, for the sake of her innocent sister, all further exposure would be avoided, on condition that Mrs. Oxenden would at once withdraw from Verner House. ‘To this she was com- pelled to assent; she saw that her game had been more than played out, that she was irretrievably ruined in the estima- tion of Sir Edgar Beverley, and that it was likewise useless to make any further attempt to regain a footing in the house- hold. She did not ask for a parting interview with her sister; she knew that it would be interdicted if she proffered the request. The travelling-carriage was ordered to be gotten in readiness with all possible dispatch, and Mrs. Oxenden took her departure, well-nigh spirit-broken, and completely de- jected and desponding. Soon after this evil-minded woman’s peremptory and ignominious dismissal from Verner House, Sir Edgar Beverley and all his guests were assembled in the breakfast-parlour. Laura and Isabella had already become excellent friends; the baronet and Christian were both delighted with the spectacle of the sisterly intimacy which circumstances had caused to spring up all in a moment, as it were, between two such amiable and beautiful beings; while Mr. Andrews, the solicitor, evidently enjoyed the society with which he now mingled, and which seemed so much more worthy to occupy the splendid apartments of Verner House than the deceased baronet and his infamous accomplice Mrs. Oxenden. No secret had been made of the discovery of the mysterious chamber on the highest story of the mansion; every one within those walls was now acquainted with the circumstance, for it was necessary to account for the sudden appearance of Miss Vincent at the house, and it was likewise Sir Edgar Beverley’s intention, immediately after his marriage, to set masons and bricklayers to work in order to destroy that chamber and renovate that part of the house in a becoming manner. Kidgar comprehended full well that Christian and Isabella must have much to say to each other. Accordingly, after breakfast, he invited Laura to walk with him in the garden, CORnNICLOOOKS (SO)