The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

APPREHENSIONS AND SUSPICIONS 167 our birth, relative to which there are many strange things that we never knew before. I tell you this much in order that you may be prepared for the revelation I have to make. Ishall not comealone. Sir Valentine Malvern, from whose lips I myself have learned that solemn secret, will accompany me. ‘“ But this is not all, dear Louisa. I shall avail myself of the same opportunity to make known certain matters con- nected with myself; and here, likewise in order to prepare you for this intelligence and to guard you against the too sudden effects of a surprise, I must at once inform you that I am married. Yes, I am married; and the alliance is one which in a worldly point of view may be proclaimed with pride. Itis not, however, Sir Valentine Malvern who is my husband, nor, indeed, will my husband accompany me upon ' the present occasion. But I can say no more now, save and except that I hope to find our beloved aunt as well as under circumstances she possibly can be. ‘Ten thousand kisses, dearest Louisa, from “Your affectionate sister, ““ CLARA.” Louisa was overjoyed at the receipt of this letter, and the moment she had rapidly scanned its contents, without waiting to reflect upon them, she flew, light as the fawn, up to the chamber where her aunt lay, exclaiming, “‘ Clara is coming home to-day. She will he here between three and four this afternoon. She is married, too, and the alliance is an excellent one.”’ The aunt, whose countenance wore a look of the utmost seriousness and indeed affliction at the moment when Louisa thus burst into her presence, half-started up in the couch with wonder and excitement as the young damsel gave rapid vent to those ejaculations. Then, taking the letter from Louisa’s hand, Miss Stanley hurriedly perused its contents, and sinking upon her pillow, she murmured, “Thank God, whatever may have happened, Clara is married! ”’ Louisa did not notice that these words were spoken with a feeling of relief produced by the letter, for the young lady was too overjoyed by the prospect of embracing her sister to have eyes or ears for any other subject. (C(O) nn) GDoOo SAO)