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A Pearl among Women: Lady Dick's commotion - drawn by L. Huard, 1861. Illustration to a Christmas story by Henry Leslie. 'A sudden jump and vigorous scream from Lady Dick simultaneously frightened Mr. Lawrence, startled Sillery, made John Ryder spill the tea, caused Jenny to drop the muffin under the firegrate, while Mr. White, who was pouring some boiling water into the teapot, scalded his fingers in the operation. "What is it - what's the meaning of this?" cried Sillery, taking the paper. As her eye glanced at the paragraph indicated she turned very pale, dropped the paper, and sank into a chair..."Oh, Sillery!" exclaimed Lady Dick. "My angel! Let me assist my niece." "Stay where you are, woman!" cried the excited Ryder, noticing Sillery to motion her aunt away. "Woman!" screamed Lady Dick. "This beats all. I was never called such an article before!" "Oh, Sillery! my dear, dear sister; why, why are you so pale?" "See to grandfather, Jenny, will you?" replied Sillery, very quietly. "Read it, John Ryder, if you please." The cause of Lady Dick's commotion was contained in the following lines: "The Irving Embankments. It is reported that the works which have been so long progressing are at last completed. Should their object be attained"...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861. Creator: Dalziel Brothers. (Photo by The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Images)