The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

106 “REYNOLDS’. WORKS | now beheld all her beauty faded, while her toilet, once so exquisitely neat, indicated, if not an actual slovenliness, at least a disregard for all personal embellishment. | The animation of joy, however, appeared upon the un- fortunate young woman’s features as she welcomed Chris- tian Ashton. She entertained both respect and friendship for our young hero, and she was deeply grateful for the present visit. — ‘“T have often and often wondered, Mr. Ashton,” she said, ‘‘ whether you had forgotten me altogether. It would have been natural if you had, for the unfortunate and dis- eraced ones of the earth are seldom borne in the memory, unless it is to be-thought of with contumely and scorn, — al- though of these feelings I at least knew you to be incapable.”’ “T have frequently thought of you, Amy,’ answered Christian, ‘‘ and it has been with pity, sorrow, and com- passion. You judge me rightly; I am incapable of regarding the consequences of another’s black infamy as the results of your own willing sinfulness. Yes, I have pitied you, and even if I had not this day come to converse with you on matters of business, I should not have suffered a much longer interval to elapse ere making an inquiry after your welfare.” Tears were trickling down the young woman’s counte- nance, and with a crimson glow upon her cheeks, she said, “You have doubtless heard from Mrs. Willis — ”’ | ‘““T have heard all that concerns you, Amy, and I have been distressed to learn that you have suffered so severely from illness. But on your part, have you received any tidings of the important events which have recently OCc- curred in London? ”’ “Yes,” answered Miss Sutton, “‘ my sister Marion has sent me letters and newspapers.”’ 3 “Then you know that Lord Clandon is alive,” inter- jected Christian, — ‘‘ that he has been arrested.”’ ) ‘Yes, and likewise that the villain Marchmont himself is dangerously ill. Oh,” exclaimed Amy, her eyes, hitherto lustreless, now flashing fire, ‘‘ he must not die until I have wreaked some terrible vengeance upon him. It was but a few days ago I received from my sister a letter giving me the hope. that the period for sisi vengeance was near "at hand — ’”’ ; CORNIELYOOLKKS (E()