The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 356: what you’re looking at

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

AMY O20 an interest in your behalf — indeed such an attachment toward yourself and your sister — that I should have at once proposed to place you in a condition of independence; but I felt how much better it was to leave you to eat the bread of industry for a time. I have kept my eye upon you, and I have also been aware that your sister was most comfortably situated under the friendly care of the Princess of Inderabad. The period has now arrived when you must no longer be left to shift for yourself in the world. I ama lone man, Christian, — this you already know; you may think too that my habits are peculiar, my manners eccentric, and if for a single moment you doubt whether you can be happy beneath the same roof with myself, you shall be provided for elsewhere, until such time when —’’ Mr. Redcliffe hesitated for a few instants, and the ex- pression of some strong emotion passed over his countenance. He then added, “ Until such time that your beautiful Isabella’s period of mourning shall be ended and you may accompany her to the altar.” Again Mr. Redcliffe paused; he rose from his seat, paced twice to and fro in the apartment, and returning to his chair, said, ‘‘ Think not, my dear Christian, that when the day of your marriage arrives, you will lead Miss Vincent to the altar as a dependent on her own fortune. No, you shall have wealth, Christian, — rest assured that you shall have wealth, and at least as an equal shall you lead her to that altar. Perhaps — perhaps —”’ But Mr. Redcliffe stopped short, and our young hero, throwing himself at the feet of his benefactor, took his hand and pressed it to his lips. Mr. Redcliffe, who was profoundly affected, smoothed down the curling masses of Christian’s raven hair, — at the same time murmuring, ‘“‘ My dear boy, there is nothing that I will not do for your- self and your sister.”’ Christian hastened to assure his benefactor that so far from desiring to separate from him, or to live elsewhere, it would give him the utmost pleasure to dwell beneath the same roof. | ‘So be it, for the present,’ answered Mr. Redcliffe. “As for Christina, let her remain where she is; it is im- possible that she can be in better companionship, or with a kinder friend. I have long known the Princess Indora — EOMIGIOOKS (CO)