The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 191: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XVII CLARA Ir will be recollected that Lilian Halkin had promised Mrs. Owen to call upon her at the Fountain Hotel; and it was accordingly about two o’clock on the day of which we are writing that the former proceeded to that establishment and was introduced into the room where her sister and Mary were seated. Immediately upon making her appearance Lilian raised the dark veil which she was accustomed to wear over her countenance, and walking straight up to Mary, took her by the hand, looked steadfastly at her, and then said, abruptly, but in the soft, mild tone which habitu- ally characterized her voice, ‘‘ Innocence is written in your features, my dear girl. For Heaven’s sake, retain such a goodly imprint for ever.” ‘Embrace your aunt, Mary,” said Mrs. Owen. Then, as the young girl threw herself into Lilian’s arms, the mother continued to observe, ‘‘ Mary knows that you are my sister, knows also that the bedridden invalid on whom she has so: often tended is her aunt likewise, and that the charming Louisa who gave her an asylum is her cousin.” ‘‘ Ah! then you have given your daughter certain explana- tions? ” said Lilian, turning to Mrs. Owen after having affec- tionately embraced Mary. , ‘Yes, certain explanations,” rejoined Mrs. Owen, with marked emphasis, as much as to imply that those explana- tions were limited. ‘‘ Now, dear Mary, you can retire to your own chamber for the present. Your aunt and I have much to talk about, and presently we shall go together to the cottage to see our poor sister. We shall not ask you to: accompany us on this occasion, but in the evening it is probable that we will either come back and conduct you 169 7) (C(O) nn) (C 0)(0)©) <Si in