Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

112 THE COURT OF LONDON ance there, no one knew. She represented herself as a widow, and perhaps was, but she never volunteered any explanation relative to the calling, profession, or business of her late husband. She had set up in business with a large capital, and was not only able to pay her own way without an effort, but likewise to give one, two, or even three vears’ credit to her aristocratic customers. No one, therefore, took any trouble to fathom her antecedents; and as her establishment was conducted with all the out- ward appearance of the strictest propriety, its real nature was known only to a very limited circle. | Precisely at six o’clock in the evening, Octavia Clarendon alighted from a hackney-coach at the door of Mrs. Brace’s: shop in Pall Mall; and on entering, she was immediately accosted by that lady herself. who had no trouble in recog- nizing the lovely creature whose personal appearance had already been fully described to her. ‘“ Be so kind as to walk this way, miss,” said Mrs. Brace, with such a winning smile and such a pleasing manner that Octavia instantly recovered from the embarrassment into which she had been thrown on finding herself in a large shop, splendidly fitted up, and filled with beautiful girls whose brilliant eyes were all simultaneously raised toward her. Miss Clarendon followed the amiable and handsome lady up a magnificent staircase, into a small but elegantly furnished room; and the moment she crossed the threshold, Mr. Harley, who was already there, came forward to receive her. | The door closed behind Octavia, Mrs. Brace gliding noiselessly out as_she drew it after her; and the young maiden was now alone with her lover. ‘“ How can I sufficiently thank you, charming girl, for proving thus mindful of your promise? ”’ exclaimed Harley, leading her to a sofa, and placing himself by her side. ‘ Oh, I was fearful that you would disappoint me! I trembled lest something might occur to retain you at home! ”’ “Had I obeyed the dictates of prudence, I should not have come,’ responded Octavia, casting down her eyes and blushing deeply; ‘‘ but —” “ But inelination prompted you, dearest girl,’ added Mr. Harley, perceiving that she stopped short with increasing COMME OOO KS (E(6) m