The Mysteries of London; or, Revelations of the British Metropolis — page 357: what you’re looking at

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

OF LONDON. 355 Percival hastened to the rendezvous, Diana was alone in her mother’s drawing-room. She was compelled to impart to‘her cousin the sorrowful intelligence of Mary’s positive refusal. But Frank had not the time to express his dis- appointment ; for Diana had scarcely ended her communication when Miss Trevor entered the room, without having been announced. She was dressed in white, although it was in the morning and in the depth of winter. She walked across the room with the same light and agile step which formerly distinguished her, and gave her hand to Diana and then to Frank. She sat down between them as she was wont in happier times, before Percival began his travels. I have been dreaming of you both, all night, she said ; dreaming wide awake, for it is long since I have slept. I thought my dear Diana would believe I had a hard heart, and I wished to see Frank—I will say, my dear Frank, too— she added, with a smile, to assure him that Mary Trevor is still anxious for his happiness. She looked by turns at Percival and Diana Stewart, who both remained mute with astonish= ment, You appear sorrowful, my dear Diana, she rejoined, and you, Frank, are much changed. As to myself, I know not whether 1 am dying or whether I am going mad. ‘ These strange words were pronounced, as all that she had said, in that light and easy tone which is used when talking of everyday occurren- ces, or of unimportant matters, But they fell like c GComicbooksscom