The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

yoor eyes: but I trust that you will give me leave | Octavia hastened to arrange a knife and fork end to rést myself for a few minutes—and in the mean- time I shall be enabled, I hope, to satisfy you that I am incapable of offering you a wanton insult.” clean plate for the guest, Pauline tripped lightly down into the kitchen, While he was uttering the last words of his | board. speech, Octavia exchanged with her si would be impousble to refuse the alight h which was solicited. The elder Mise Clarendon accordingly sate down —an example which Pauline immediately fol- rangements gave him an opportunity of thinking of some excuse that might account fer his ladies at the same time: for he was suddenly ecined ‘reasonable excuse which he might offer for his ‘duct. i “Feeling that the most a explanation. |to you, ladies,” he said, “I must begin by opinion of your habits from the favourable with the of that dread. ful pestilence called law: but you may prohably have This statement was delivered in a tone of semi- jocularity which put the young ladies into a very | good humour with Mr. Harley; and. another inter- sender all possible service to a gentleman wha had ‘apologising for the frugal nature of their fare. impres- sion you ane made upon me—are not likely ta be | ejaculations of post-boys, startled the inmates of the comfortable litele pariour. CHAPTER IV. THE ACCOUCHE MEST from the vehicle; while Octavia, and. Pauline fol- lowed as far as the garden-gate te. render their aid if, necessary. Tan scane in the read was one of the utmost con- fusion and.terror :—for the postilions were occupied in enleayauring to quiet their horses, which were plunging frightfully.;—a valet in plain clothes had been thrown from the box, and pitching on his hy | head, lay stunned within a few feet of the broken vehicle ;—a lady’s-maid, who was seated on the same dangerous eminence, was clinging to the raila which she had clutched just in time to save herself from a similar accident jan two ladies insides were shrieking for help. . Mr. Uarlay’s tires imyuale was to drag.the valet. nal COLT G NOOO) CO