The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

FATHER AND DAUGHTER 11 “ You know that I have not the means, and it is just the same as if you were throwing my poverty in my teeth.”’ “But is it not possible,’ proceeded Finette, ‘‘ to raise by any means what you require? ”’ “Ah! if I could make a thousand stones into as many francs,”’ exclaimed the ex-turnkey, with morose bitterness, ‘‘T might enter in possession of the shop to-morrow. But as it is, that idea is all vain. And now, Finette — ”’ ‘“‘ Father,” she interrupted him, at the same time gazing on his countenance with a peculiar significancy, “ will you follow my instructions? —I mean, will you act according to the advice I am about to give you?”’ “Why, what does the girl mean?”’ exclaimed her sire, thinking for a moment that her intellects were affected. ‘You must ask me no questions, but do as I suggest,”’ and there was something in the damsel’s look and manner which induced her father to attend very seriously to the words she was about to speak. ‘“ What am I to do, Finette?’”’ he inquired. ‘Procure a stout cord,” she replied, ‘‘ and in half an hour come to the verge of that grove which you perceive at the extremity of this long street. Do not penetrate into the grove until you hear me call you.’ ‘‘ What child’s play is this? ’’ demanded the ex-turnkey, anerily. ‘I thought you were going to tell me of some means whereby to obtain employment, and which had perhaps accidentally come to your knowledge.”’ “It is a simple thing, father, which I ask you to do,” responded Finette, ‘‘ and you will not be long ere you learn my object. I do not think that you will then be angry. You must know, dear father, that, whatever my faults, I am incapable of making you the object of a jest.” “Well then, Finette, I will act according to your bidding. A stout cord, you say, and I am to remain on the outskirt of the grove until you summon me into its depths? I can- not for the life of me conceive — ”’ “ Father, I will give you no explanations now,” inter- rupted the damsel. ‘‘ Do what I have said, and you will thank me. Fail, and you will be sorry.”’ Without waiting for any response, Finette hurried Fionn | the room. She proceeded to her own chamber, where she packed a number of articles in a tolerably large market- COnnNICLOOKS (S©)