The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

SCENES IN THE DANE JOHN 133 other. I never knew their Christian names. Alas! poor Anne, you are now in mourning, as I have been during many, many long years, for when I had passed through the ter- rible ordeal of a trial for murder,’’ — and the unhappy lady shuddered visibly as she spoke, — ‘‘ I recorded a solemn vow that sable garments should clothe me until the day of my death. My heart was destined to be in mourning from the instant that the last cry of my dying child rang through my brain, and I resolved that in mourning weeds also should my body continue wrapped until laid in the cold — tomb.”’ ‘““ But how have you lived? Where have you been for so many, many years? ”’ asked Mrs. Owen. ‘““ Oh, I see, my dear Anne,” exclaimed Lilian, ‘‘ that we have much, very much, to say to each other; and you are doubtless anxious to behold your daughter.”’ “Yes, if she will pardon me,’’ murmured Mrs. Owen, again melting into tears. ‘ For it was my wickedness which has led to this fearful catastrophe at Geneva; it was I who placed my poor daughters in that career which has led to such awful consequences. One murdered by the assassin’s knife, the other two hopeless idiots in a madhouse.”’ ‘Ah! but is it possible that you were the cause? ’”’ ex- claimed Lilian, shrinking back aghast. “ Is it of such horrors that you accuse yourself? ”’ ‘“ All too true! ”’ rejoined Mrs. Owen, her voice convulsed with sobs. . ‘But in what career of wickedness were they placed? ” asked Lilian. ‘‘ The newspapers, as you must be aware, gave the most meagre outline of the particulars, — little more, indeed, than a bare narrative of the catastrophe itself.”’ ‘Because such grave matters and important interests were concerned therein,’’ answered Mrs. Owen, “‘ that the journals dared not chronicle all that transpired. How- ever, upon this point I will tell you more when we meet again.” ; ‘But where shall we meet again, and when?” asked Lilian. ‘““ Where do you live? ”’ inquired Mrs. Owen. ‘ I am for the moment staying at the Fountain Hotel; but I propose to take Mary with me, if she will return to that mother (C(O) nn) (C 0)(0)©) <Si in