Run to Earth - A Novel by M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
page 316 of 733 (43%)
page 316 of 733 (43%)
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While it was generally supposed that the baronet's widow was on her way
to Rome or Naples, two plainly-dressed women took possession of unpretending lodgings in Percy Street, Tottenham Court Road. The apartments were taken by a lady who called herself Mrs. Eden, and who required them only for herself and maid. The apartments consisted of two large drawing-rooms, two bedrooms on the floor above, and a dressing-room adjoining the best bedroom. The proprietor of the house was a Belgian merchant, called Jacob Mulck--a sedate old bachelor, who took a great deal of snuff, and Disquieted himself very little about the world in general, so long as life went smoothly for himself. The remaining occupant of the house was a medical student, who rented one of the rooms on the third floor. Another room on the same floor was to let. Such was the arrangement of the house when Mrs. Eden and her maid took possession of their apartments. Mr. Jacob Mulck thought he had never seen such a beautiful woman as his new lodger, when he entered her apartment, to ascertain whether she was satisfied with the accommodation provided for her. She was sitting in the full light of an unshaded lamp as he entered the room. Her black silk dress was the perfection of simplicity; its sombre hues relieved only by the white collar which encircled her slender throat. Her pale face looked of an ivory whiteness, in contrast to the dark, deep eyes, and arched brows of sombre brown. |
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