The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

LETTICE RODNEY 3 some adventure which would remunerate her well, though she as yet scarcely comprehended the precise nature of the services required at her hands. While she lay thinking, the door opened slowly, and an old woman, with trembling limbs, and head shaking as if it were palsied, made her ap- pearance. She was followed by a buxom-looking young girl of about seventeen, and who was the old woman’s granddaughter. This girl carried a large deal box, which was corded, and which she set down upon the floor. “Ah! then,” said Lettice, as she beheld the box, “‘ some one has been this morning? ”’ ‘“‘ No, ma’am, it was in the middle of the night,”’ answered the old woman, and in a mysterious manner, she added, “‘ It was the duke himself, together with a young gentleman. His Grace told me yesterday morning — as I think I men- tioned to you, ma’am — that I was to sit up, as it was most likely some one would be calling.” “T must have slept soundly ‘enough, Mrs. Norwood,” observed Lettice, “ for I heard no noise of doors opening. I shall get up now. And Pheebe,” she added, addressing herself to the girl, “‘ see that you get me the best breakfast you can possibly accomplish. But, dear me, what a place this is, — so lonely and desolate.”’ “Ah! it was once thriving enough, ma’am,” said Mrs. Norwood, ‘‘ when the late farmer had it.” “And how long has the place been in this condition? ” inquired Lettice. “‘ Oh, upward of the last twelve months, or so,’”’ responded the old woman. ‘ His Grace’s bailiff let me and my grand- daughter live here for nothing, just to keep the rooms aired and take care of the furniture, till some new tenant comes. You see, ma’am, the person who had it last was a bachelor, and he went on at such a pace he soon got ruined and was sent to gaol for debt, where he died of a fever brought on by hard drinking. There was more than a year’s rent owing, and so his Grace’s bailiff kept the furniture in the house. All the farm stock was sold off, and now there isn’t so much as a hen to lay an egg. However, thanks to his Grace’s liberality, there is everything in the place to make you comfortable, ma’am, while you are here.”’ The old woman withdrew, followed by her granddaughter; Lettice rose and dressed herself, and on descending to a par- CONNICLOO (CO) mM