The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 340: what you’re looking at

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

318 THE COURT OF LONDON . that rapid outline of your history this morning, you men- tioned the name of Beckford, and observed that your sister was staying with a lady and gentleman of that name.’’ ‘Yes; it is not long that they have removed into Stratton Street,’’ returned Louisa; “‘ they used to live at number 20, Hanover Square.” ‘Number 20, Hanover Square!’ ejaculated Ernestina, stricken with surprise, and even startled by the mention of an address which instantly conjured up fearful and mysteri- ous associations in her mind. ‘ That is the abode of the Malverns! ”’ ‘But have you not in London many streets bearing the same name? ”’ inquired Louisa. ‘Yes, to be sure; and there may be several Stratton Streets, but certainly only one at the West End of the town. There may also be another Hanover Square, for anything that I know; but there is assuredly only one of that name in the region of fashion. However, there is no doubt but the marquis will find out your sister, whatever Stratton Street she may be residing in.” Louisa’s lovely countenance brightened up at these words, and with a look did she thank Lady Ernestina for the assur- ance. A brief pause then ensued in the conversation; for Louisa began to wonder within herself whether Clara would chide her for having so long abandoned their afflicted aunt to the care of a comparative stranger, and for hurrying in the first place to Paris relative to her lover, and now coming up to London expressly to behold and embrace a sister. On the other hand, Lady Ernestina was just thinking how she should enter upon a certain task which her delectable uncle had set her. For every barrier of delicate feeling and pure sentiment was so far broken down between the uncle and niece that they no longer sought to practise toward each other any concealment of disposition or principles. On the one hand, the marquis knew that his niece had been a very profligate and abandoned demirep, first with a lover of her own choice, then with the prince into whose arms she was forced; he had seen her so far forget herself as to visit a house of ill-fame in the expectation of meeting a wealthy admirer; he knew likewise that she had actually been the means of consigning her husband to the scaffold, whereas she might have saved him had she chosen. CONNIE DOO KS (E(0)