The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

86 THE COURT OF LONDON that his heart swelled with emotions, and he felt that the tears were trickling down his cheeks. He saw not the hideous hag before him, lean, wrinkled, and stricken by all the searing woes of age, crime, and calamity; he saw not the cold, cheerless dungeon, with its massive bars, its huge door, its impenetrable walls, its stone pavement, its vaulted roof, and its rough, meagre furniture; but so vividly had the picture which the woman drew been impressed upon his mind that he beheld only that sweet little innocent child she had delineated in so strangely touching a manner, and that garden scene with the pi ue cottage, all of which appeared a romantic and lovely reality to his mind’s eye. “‘ But the scene changes,” she went on to say, in a deeper mournfulness of voice. “ A dozen years have passed, and in a sumptuously furnished apartment a beautiful young creature of seventeen or eighteen reclines upon a sofa. Yes, she is dazzlingly beautiful. All the evidences of wealth and luxury are about her person and in that apartment. Her dress is splendid: diamonds are upon her hair, pearls encircle her neck, pearls also hang over her naked bosom, and the richest bracelets set off her snow-white arms. The door opens; a powdered lackey enters to ask at what hour this lady will have the carriage. She gives him the required answer. Soon afterward an elegant French lady’s-maid appears to bring costly stuffs, lace veils, silks and satins, for the lady’s inspection. Milliners and drapers, mercers and jewellers, send their goods or await her orders. One of the most eminent artists of the day comes to receive instructions relative to her portrait. Thus the forenoon is disposed of. Then comes a handsome man in the prime of life, tall, portly, and with a noble bearing. He is one of the proudest peers of England, and this charming creature is his mistress. He is infatuated with her; he worships, he adores her, but he is already married and has a large family, or he would make her his wife. Nevertheless, he testifies his affection by all possible means. His wealth is immense, and he is never wearied of expending his gold to surround his loved one with all the luxuries and elegancies of life, not merely to gratify her slightest whims, but even to anticipate them. He has placed her in a splendid mansion, given her carriages and servants, and heaped upon her all the bounties, the extrava- GOMIGDOO S C@