The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

THE YOUNG DUCHESS ; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. Past “o Za 2 = : PLE 4 2 - a om ak an now once more in her own hands,—“I would do for you as a friend what I never would consent to accomplish under the influence of intimidation. Now then, do you understand me? My conjec- tures are all accurate—are they not?” ““T have not denied them,” responded King- ston. ‘‘Name the sum that you require,” said the Duchess impressively, ‘‘ and tell me the hour at which it must be forthcoming to-morrow.” The Baronet hesitated for a moment; and then he said, ‘Twenty thousand pounds, at four o'clock to-morrow afternoon.” “Good,” said the Duchess: “you shall have the amount. A cheque shall be left at your lodgings in Spring Gardens at four o'clock punctually.” " « And now we part as friends ?” said Sir Abel; and with that readiness in the art of hypocrisy wherein he was so profoundly skilled, he threw No. 15.—THE Youna DUCHEss. 113 ai) a sudden blandness and suavity into the expres- sion of his countenance. ‘“‘ Yes—we part as friends,” replied the Duchess, as she suffered him to carry her hand to his lips. Sir Abel Kingston then took his departure; and making the best of his way through the grounds, he reached the spot where he had left his phaeton. But the equipage was not to be seen. “Ah, well,” thought Sir Abel to himself, “Casey supposes that I am locked in the arms of love and beauty, and he has returned to London.” Thornbury Park was within a short distance of Beaconsfield, and to that town a walk of three quarters of an hour-conducted the Baronet. There he obtained a bed for the night; and on the fol- lowing morning he procured a chaise to take him to London. On arriving in the metropolis, he called in Hatton Garden: but he was informed that Mr. Casey had gone out; so that he merely left « verbal message to the effect that he would COMO oO Colin