The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 363: what you’re looking at

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

332 REYNOLDS’ WORKS recognized the horseman, although the latter recognized not him in that Lascar garb which he wore. Up to the spot the horseman rode; he sprang from his steed, and the Burker, who had let go his hold upon Christina, aimed a tremendous blow with his club at the young maiden’s champion. The latter dexterously avoided it, and sprang forward to grapple with the ruffiian, when the last-mentioned individual thought it better not to hazard a conflict, and rushing through the hedge, as he had done on the preceding night, he disappeared from the view of Christina and her deliverer. : | The young maiden was sinking with terror, for at one moment she had fancied that murder’s work would be done, and that nothing could save her champion from the fury of the blow dealt against him. Her deliverer now turned toward her, and with the most gentlemanly courtesy he spoke a few reassuring words. Then he hastened to pick up her straw hat which had come off, as well as her book and her parasol, which she had dropped in her fright. The horse meanwhile had remained upon the spot, although its rider had let the bridle go, and the animal was now feeding on the grass by the side of the lane. Christina expressed her gratitude in suitable terms, and feeling full of confusion on account of the dishevelled state of her hair and the disordered condition of her toilet, the blood came back to those cheeks which an instant before were pale with terror. Her deliverer was struck by her extraordinary beauty, though there was nothing disrespect- ful in his gaze; on the contrary his entire manner and con- duct were marked by the kindest and most polished courtesy. He was a young man, a little past four and twenty years of age, exceedingly handsome, and evidently belonging to the best sphere of society. He now turned aside under pretence of looking after his horse, but in reality to give Christina an opportunity of arranging her hair and restoring her toilet. This the young maiden hastily did, and when her deliverer again turned toward her, it was still with blushes, but with more self-possession than at first, that she renewed the expression of her thanks for the service he had rendered her. “Do not think the less of my courage,” said the gentle- man, smiling, — “or, rather, perhaps I ought to entreat that you will not tax me with cowardice in not pursuing ECORNICLIIOOKS (E(0)