The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

96 THE COURT OF LONDON a possession of an estate producing seven thousand a year; and, leaving it in the charge of a trustworthy individual, I set out upon a long Continental tour. I had already visited France, during my minority, and my taste for travelling was encouraged by the remembrance of the six or eight agreeable months I had passed at that period in Paris. On this second occasion I resolved to extend my tour through Germany into Italy; and the design was carried into effect. My wanderings were prolonged even beyond my original intention; and five years elapsed ere I again set foot in England. During that interval my property had been much improved through the experience, integrity, and agricultural knowledge of my faithful agent; the tenantry were all prosperous, happy, and contented; and the welcome that greeted me on my arrival at Stamford Manor was of the warmest and most cordial description. All the farmers and peasantry upon the estate were assembled, with their families, to recelve me; and I well remember how blithe and joyous was the ball which took place on the lawn in the evening. Pardon me if I have paused to dwell upon an incident apparently so trivial in contrast with the sad events that have recently occurred; but even from the depth of this dungeon a retrospect over those sunny days of my existence is fraught with a consolatory influence.” The baronet ceased for a few minutes, and Page fancied that the sound of a half-stifled sob stole upon his ear through the intense darkness. ‘““T was now upwards of six and twenty,’ resumed Sir Richard Stamford, “‘ and it was natural that I should think of marriage. My appetite for travelling was satiated; and I longed to settle down into the enjoyment of a sweet domesticity, in the midst of my tenants. Chance threw me in the way of a widow and her beautiful daughter, who lived in great seclusion at Aylesbury: for their circum- stances were extremely limited. It were impossible to con- ceive a lady more amiable than Mrs. Sedley, or a being more enchantingly lovely than Eleanor. That affection may spring up in the heart at first sight, 1am well convinced; because from the first moment that I beheld Eleanor Sedley I loved her. In a short time my passion amounted to a | worship — an adoration. It was rather the enthusiasm — which is experienced by the youth of eighteen than the ~ yi | ? a I f j A COMnnie DOOkKS aCe)