The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 293: what you’re looking at

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

THE CLIFF 271 reason that I charged you in my note to come mounted upon that slendid steed which you manage so well, and on whose back you appear to such advantage. Mount then, I conjure you.” The minor canon did not immediately obey the lady’s injunction. He looked very hard at her with all the power of his searching eyes, as if to penetrate through the veil which concealed her countenance, and for a moment it was evident enough, by the expression which passed rapidly over his features, that he did not altogether like the strange- ness of her behaviour, and that even some slight suspicion of intended evil had flitted across his mind. But apparently a second thought reassured him, or at least determined him to humour his fair companion; and he accordingly remounted the spirited steed, which for the last minute or two he had held by the bridle. Again, however, did he scan the lady from head to foot, and then he muttered to himself, ‘‘ Yes, it is her figure. But surely it cannot be she.” ‘‘ What were you saying?” asked the lady, looking up at him through the folds of her veil. ‘‘ T was thinking,”’ he answered, his eyes still fixed intently upon her, “‘ that you remind me strangely of another lady whom I know well, and yet she is in deep mourning.” ‘Oh, we will not talk of other ladies now,” said the veiled unknown, somewhat petulantly, but still in a very subdued voice. ‘‘ Now, listen to me,”’ said Bernard Audley, in a resolute tone. “ If all that your letter told me be true, I am highly flattered by its contents. In that note you say that for the last few days you have observed me riding on the parade and elsewhere, and that you have been struck by my appearance. This, I repeat, is most flattering, most complimentary. You tell me likewise in your note that you wish me to meet you here soon after midday, and that I am to come on horseback, as if merely for a ride upon the cliffs. I have obeyed your summons, I am here. But now, wherefore, for even the space of these few minutes that have elapsed since I joined you, preserve so much mystery? Why continue to wear that invidious veil over your features, and why speak in subdued tones, as if you sought to disguise your voice? Before we proceed any farther together, do me the favour to lift your veil,”’ KS at nin