The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

FATHER AND DAUGHTER 5 a considerable pecuniary loss by the business which had taken him hither. He himself was of a rugged and un- feeling disposition, devoted to money-grubbing pursuits; he showed no inclination to assist his brother with his purse, though he was ready enough to proffer his counsel, and like- wise to lecture Finette severely for her own misconduct. He somewhat churlishly said that his relations might stay with him for a short time, until they could settle them- selves in some manner; and thus they shifted their quarters to his house from the tavern where they had been staying. Finette’s father had in the meanwhile been looking about for some employment, but he could find nothing that suited him. There was a shop doing a good little business to be disposed of, and it was in a trade which the ex-turnkey and his daughter could manage, but the purchase-money was fifty pounds, and Finette’s father had only about fifteen left. His brother would not advance him a single franc, and thus he found himself compelled to renounce the hope of obtaining a business which would have afforded him a better livelihood than even that post of turnkey from which he had so lately been discharged. One afternoon, about ten days after the arrival of Finette and her father in the town of which we are speaking, the young damsel strolled forth in a very disconsolate mood. Feeling that her parent and herself were regarded as a burden upon the means of her avaricious uncle, she longed to use her own industry for the purpose of earning some- thing. She had on the previous day applied in various quarters for needlework, but without being enabled to obtain it. She now renewed her applications, but still without success. At two or three warehouses which she entered she experienced overtures on the part of insolent clerks or masters which brought the blood up to her cheeks, and on one occasion so gross was the insult she received she burst into tears and went weeping along the street. Per- ceiving that she.was the object of attention with the pass- ers-by, and unable to restrain her sobs, she issued out of the town toward a grove which bounded it in that particular direction. There she sat down upon a bank where some autumnal flowers bespangled the grass, and wiping away - her tears, she fell into a profound reverie. We have already said that Finette was exceedingly pretty, CORE Oe SS (C©)