The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 214: what you’re looking at

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

196 — REYNOLDS’ WORKS worth if merely the result of that terrorism which belongs to the anticipation of an inevitably ignominious fate. But whence arose that hope? A few words will explain. When Lettice Rodney was beginning to recover from her dangerous illness — when she awoke from that long period of mingled delirium and torpor to a consciousness of her dread position — she was visited by Mr. Redcliffe. This gentleman ques- tioned her minutely as to the whole incidents of the tragedy at Pollard’s house; he likewise gave her certain instructions, and bidding her put faith in Providence, he declared that all that man could do should be done to make her innocence apparent, if innocent she really were. Then, too, did he in- form her that he was the individual whom she had encoun- tered on that memorable night by the side of the pond where he had extorted from her a full confession of her misdeeds toward the Duchess of Marchmont, and he likewise gave her to understand that when he visited Madame Angelique’s den of infamy, it was in reality from no sensuous inclinations, but because he had special objects to serve. Nor less did he unfold to her that it was through his interposition the peni- tent Eveleen O’Brien was restored to her home and had re- ceived the parental forgiveness. From that visit on the part of Mr. Redcliffe was it that Lettice entertained the hope of her innocence being yet proclaimed to the world. And now we return to the special occasion on which we have been speaking of her as being seated in her prison- chamber, and devoting her attention to the volumes which the chaplain and the governor had furnished. Presently the door opened, and as Lettice slowly turned her mournful look thither, expecting that it was merely the matron of the infirmary, she beheld Mr. Redcliffe. The door closed behind him, and taking a seat on the opposite side of the table, he bade Lettice resume her own, from which she had risen through respect toward the kind friend whom Heaven had sent her. He made inquiries concerning her health; he questioned her as to her present frame of mind, and he found that the soul was in a better condition than the body. “‘ Even if my innocence be made apparent, Mr. Redcliffe,” said the prisoner, in a voice of profound melancholy, ‘‘ and even if I go forth from this gaol into the great world again, I shall never recover from the blow which has so cruelly smitten me. But as for my penitence, — oh, believe me CORNICLO@O