The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRECIPICE 67 under a pecuniary obligation to him! It would have been humiliating, were it not that there was something in the way in which the transaction took place that prevented me from feeling my pride to be humbled. And, after all, I could restore him the note. But I knew not where he lived, and I dared not — for my promise’ sake, and with due regard to Claude’s safety — name the incident to my father. What was I to do? I must meet him once again; nay, more, I must purposely throw myself in his way; I must seek an oppor- tunity to encounter him. And I did so. For three or four days I rambled everywhere about the neighbourhood, but without seeing him. At length, one afternoon, we suddenly met at the angle of yonder grove which you see, my dear Zoe, about half a mile to the right of the village church. I had flattered myself that I should have been enabled to address him with calmness and fortitude, but now that the instant for putting me to the test had come, all my self-possession abandoned me. I was full of confusion. ‘Claude Masson took my hand and gazed earnestly upon my countenance. ‘ Little as we are acquainted,’ he said, in a voice that was soft and low, ‘ I feel as if I had known you for many, many long years.’ For a few instants I had aban- doned him my hand, unconscious of what I was doing; I now snatched it away, but I was trembling violently. Then — more instinctively than because I actually remembered the object for which I had sought this meeting —I drew forth the bank-note and proffered it to him. He started, he blushed, he saw that his generous stratagem had been discovered. I faltered out words of thanks; how could I do otherwise? and I know not how it was, but I presently found myself seated by his side on the bank that skirts the grove, and listening to the language of love which he was breathing in my ear. He told me that he had seen me every day since last we met, that he had followed me at a distance, content to obtain a glimpse of my form, and that he had taken care I should not perceive I was thus followed. Oh, all the tender things he said to me! yet in language so delicate, in terms so replete with an honest, manly frankness that it was impossible I could feel offended. But all the time my brain was in a sort of whirl, and I had no power of calm deliberation. I know not how we parted — Yes,’ added Clarine, bending down her blushing countenance, ‘“‘I remember that when CoOnniclooolxs (CO)