The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

196 THE COURT OF LONDON ing indignant at the outrage thus offered to a lady and a country woman, “‘ it is for all this, I presume, that you have been imprisoned here? ”’ ‘Such is indeed the truth,” answered the lady. ‘“‘ And now can you wonder if, when snatched from my home and brought a prisoner hither three weeks ago, I should in my rage, my fury, and my despair, have made a vow to the effect that never, never again will I reveal my countenance to a being in the form of man! No, never, never,’ she exclaimed, with a sort of frenzied petulance, ‘* until I encounter some one who shall have learned to love me, not for the beauty of my countenance, or the magnitude of my fortune, but for those gentle, endearing, and more sterling qualities which as a woman I possess. Now, therefore,’”’ she added, with the hurried tone of one who was well pleased at having finished a most painful explanation,” now, therefore, let us to work, and endeavour to ensure our escape.”’ “That is, after all, the essential point,’”’ said Jocelyn, not thinking it worth while to trouble himself further concern- ing the eccentric lady’s history, as every instant that was lost in the gratification of mere curiosity could only tend to diminish the eventual chances of success. ‘‘ But tell me WAR) 2/c/ “One word!” she interrupted, with a sort of petulant impatience that appeared to be characteristic of her. ‘‘ We must, at all events, know how to address each other during the short time we remain together. What is your name? ”’ ‘‘ Jocelyn Loftus,’’ was the answer. ‘And mine is Laura Linden,’’ she immediately rejoined, in a tone so full of ingenuousness and unaffected simplicity that our young hero was angry with himself for having in any way suspected her even fora moment. ‘“‘ Perhaps you. | have heard of me before? ”’ ‘“No, never,” answered Jocelyn. ‘“‘ But permit me to observe that since your enemies appear to be so very ran- corous, and for such unworthy or rather scandalous causes, it will become my duty to propose to you, on our escape hence, such escort and protection as I may be enabled to afford.”’ ‘Which I shall accept cheerfully and thankfully back to England,” replied Laura. ‘‘ And now let us apply our- selves earnestly and vigorously to work.” GOMIGDOOKS (-) (E(0)