The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

THE ACCOUCHEMENT ol vehicle where he stood, when he uttered an ejaculation of amazement, and, darting away behind the barouche, dis- appeared in a few moments. The ladies themselves were too much terrified to notice his features when he had approached the door to open it; and now, hastily precipitating themselves from the interior, they were received in the arms of Octavia and Pauline. For the sisters, perceiving the sudden flight of Mr. Harley, sprang forward to succour those whom he had thus unaccountably abandoned. One of the ladies was apparently about eighteen or nine- teen, the other was upwards of ten years older; and it was the former whose countenance had produced so strange an effect upon Mr. Harley. The sisters instantaneously conducted these two ladies into their parlour; and the younger one, sinking upon a chair, moaned and writhed as if in great pain. The elder lady appeared to be seized with a sudden consternation at beholding these symptoms on the part of her companion; but almost immediately recovering her presence of mind, she turned toward the sisters, exclaiming, in a tone of hurried though fervent appeal, “‘ For the love of God, young ladies, assist my suffering friend to a bedroom, — she is about to become a mother! ”’ This intelligence, startling though it were, was sufficient to excite all the generous sympathies that dwelt in the bosoms of the sisters, and they hastened to comply with the urgent request, while the elder lady rushed back into the road to give certain instructions to the postilions and the servants. By this time the valet had recovered his senses and was slowly approaching the house, leaning on the arm of the lady’s-maid, who, as we have already intimated, was more frightened than hurt. The elder lady’s orders were rapidly and imperiously given. “Matilda,” she said, addressing herself to the female, “hasten to rejoin your mistress, who is seriously indisposed;”’ and as she uttered these words, she darted upon the abigail a glance of deep meaning, which the clear moonlight pre- vented from being either lost upon her or misunderstood. Matilda, accordingly, hurried into the house. “ Pembroke,” said the lady, now speaking with equal rapidity to the valet, ‘“‘ you must get those postilions away (C(O) ail Doo (C(O)