The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

VERNER HOUSE 15 Ramsgate. He traversed the fields, he came in sight of the mansion, and then he stopped short, mentally ejaculating, ‘But what on earth can I do to assist this poor young lady? ”’ He knew very well that if he were seen lurking about the premises suspicion would be excited, for his conduct on the preceding evening had more or less angered Mrs. Oxenden. If, therefore, it were imagined inside the dwelling that he entertained the purpose of assisting Laura in whatsoever way she might require a friendly succour, it would only have the effect of increasing the precautions doubtless already taken to keep her in safe custody. At least so thought our hero, for he had made up his mind that she was under terrorism and coercion of some sort, — an opinion which was natural enough after all he had seen on the pre- vious day. Having reflected for some time within himself, Christian determined to inspect the grounds amidst which Verner House was situated, so that if by any accident Laura should be walking out alone within the enclosure, he might address a few words to her and ascertain whether he could in any way serve her or not. At the same time he was careful to conduct this inspection with all suitable caution, so as not to be seen from the windows of the house. To observe such caution was not difficult, inasmuch as the kitchen garden was surrounded by a high wall, the paddock and orchard by palings of an almost equal altitude, and the adjacent mead- ows by thick hedges. Climbing up into a tree, which completely concealed him, Christian looked over into the erounds in the rear of the dwelling; he beheld extensive stabling premises, a garden well laid out, and having spacious conservatories, several horses in the paddock, and numer- ous domestics moving about. Thus everything indicated the wealth of Sir John Steward, while the handsome draperies of the windows formed a criterion of the sumptuousness with which the mansion was furnished. An hour passed, and still Christian sat up in the tree, completely concealed by its thick, embowering foliage. His time was his own, and he thought he might as well spend it in working out a good purpose. Presently he beheld Sir John Steward and Mrs. Oxenden issue forth from the mansion and walk slowly across a lawn EOMINGIOOKS (SO)