The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

THE WOUNDED AYAH 153 of mere jealousy, or any vexation arising from a presumptu- ous rivalry on the part of her ayah. ‘“ And now what think you?” she inquired. ‘‘ What do you deduce from all that you have been telling me? ” ‘“ That Sagoonah has fathomed my secret,’’ responded Mr. Redcliffe, ‘‘ and that she pored over the files of the Times in order to obtain a complete insight into the past. That woman was resolved to hold me in her power. I understand her disposition well. If she could not have my love, she would give me her hatred; if she could not bend me to her purpose, she would wreak upon me her vengeance.”’ “ Good heavens! ”’ exclaimed the queen, with anguish de- picted upon her countenance, “‘ and it was all my fault, dear Clement, that the wretched Sagoonah has beer enabled to penetrate the mysteries which surrounded you, — those mys- teries which I had so fondly hoped were unveiled only to myself. It was through me, alas! through me that those newspapers were thus thrown in her way. Oh, I have been indiscreet, but I could not possibly foresee — ”’ ‘“ Blame not yourself, Indora, blame not yourself,” said Mr. Redcliffe, again pressing the queen’s hand fervently. ‘‘ All that you did was for the very best of purposes, and it would seem as if Providence were upon our side, for rest assured that Sagoonah was bent upon some design of mis- chief against myself, or 1t may be against you, at the moment when the assassin’s dagger struck her down. It is only too evident that she was quitting your service for ever. She had laden herself with your gold and your jewels that she might have wealth in her possession; she had dressed herself in your apparel, either that she might throw off the character together with the garb of a menial, or else that she might personate you in some manner that should bring dishonour upon yourname. Yes, these are the only alternatives which the circumstances present to our view, and the wretched woman has received a signal chastisement on the very threshold of her iniquitous purpose.”’ ‘‘ Oh, that she could have been so wicked! ”’ exclaimed the queen, “‘ and that I should have placed such confidence in her! I loved Sagoonah — yes, I loved her, or else never, never should I have unbosomed my secrets unto her.”’ ‘She is now stretched upon a couch,’’ observed Mr. Red- cliffe, solemnly, ‘‘ from which she may perhaps never rise CORNICLOOKS (C(O)