The String of Pearls (1850), p. 223

Tobias was mad, I'm sure I thought she'd have broke her heart, for if Tobias
ever loved anybody in all the world, it was little Minna Gray. Ah! its affecting
to think how such children love each other, ain't it, sir? Lord bless you, the
sound of her footstep was enough for him, and his eyes would get like two stars,
as he'd clap his hands together, and cry—Ah! that's dear Minna.' That was
before he went to Mr. Todd's, poor fellow."
"Indeed!"
"Yes, sir, oh, you haven't an idea."
"I think I have. Who is this Minna Gray, who so enthralled his boyish
fancy?"
"Why, she's widow Gray's only child, and they live in Milford Lane, close to
the Temple, you see, and even Tobias used to go with me to drink tea with Mrs.
Gray, as we was both bequeathed women in a world of trouble."
"You were what ?"
"Bequeathed."
"Bereaved you mean, I suppose, Mrs. Ragg; but how could you tell me that
you knew of no means of moving Tobias's feelings. This Minna Gray, if he
really loves her, is the very thing."
"Lor, sir. What do you mean?"
"Why, I mean that if you can get this Minna Gray here, the possibility is
that it will be the recovery of Tobias. At all events, it is the only chance
of that kind that presents itself. If that fails, we must only trust to time. How
old is this girl?"
"About fourteen, sir, and though I say it—"
"Well, well. Do you now, as a woman of the world, Mrs. Ragg, think that
she has an affection for poor Tobias?"
"Do I think? Lor bless you, sir, she doats on the ground he walks on, that
she does—poor young thing. Hasn't she grizzled a bit. It puts me in mind
of—"
"Yes, yes. Of course it does. Now, Mrs. Ragg, you understand it is an
object with our friend the colonel here, that no one but yourself should know
that Tobias is here. Could you get this young girl to come to tea, for instance,
with you, without telling her what else she is wanted for?"
"Dear me, yes, sir; for, as I used to say to Mr. Ragg, who is dead and gone,
and buried in St. Martin's—"
"Exactly. Now go and get her by all means, and when she comes here we
will speak to her, but above all things be careful what you say."
"I think Mrs. Ragg is already aware," said Colonel Jeffery, "that her son's
safety, as well as her own, depends upon her discretion in keeping his whereabouts a profound secret. We will instruct this young girl when she comes
here."
Colonel Jeffery, when he heard that the medical man was of opinion that the
experiment of awakening the feelings of Tobias, by bringing Minna Gray, was
worth trying, at once acquiesced, and urged upon Mrs. Ragg to go and see Minna. After many more speeches, about as much to the purpose as those which we have already formed, Mrs. Ragg got herself dressed and went upon her errand. She was instructed to say that she had found herself unequal to being a
laundress in the Temple, and so had thought it was better to return to her own
original occupation of cook in a gentleman's family, and that, as she had the
liberty to do so, she wished Minna Gray to come and take tea with her. Thus
forewarned of the part she was to play, Mrs. Ragg started upon her mission, in
which we need not follow her, for the result of it is all that we particularly care
about, and that consisted in her bringing Minna in great triumph to the colonel's
house. Colonel Jeffery, and Captain Rathbone, who was staying to dine with
him, saw the young girl as she came up the garden path. She was one of those
small, delicately beautiful young creatures, who seem specially made to love,
and be loved. Her light auburn hair hung in dancing curls down her fair
cheeks, and her beautifully shaped lips and pearly teeth were of themselves