Her Royal Lover: A Novel — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

HER ROYAL LOVER. 265 “So. Iam completely a prisoner,” said Madame de Mineleko, still with the same icy tone; “I must re- sign myself.” Madame de Langweilig, commencing to be fright- ened by this brutal and iniquitous mandate which she had to fulfill, bowed her head almost with shame. “T will endeavor to discommode you as little as possible, madam. I will be discreet.” Madame de Mineleko, assisted by her maid, was quickly dressed, but in a complete silence. At each time that the details of the toilet caused the hands of Najeska Ivanowna to come in contact with those of her maid, the latter perceived that they were as cold as a snow-ball, hardened by frost; and then a shiver penetrated to the marrow of her bones. The frightful tranquillity of Najeska Ivanowna was full of menace, and despite herself, the grandmis- tress was disquieted. When Madame de Mineleko was dressed, and some little articles that belonged to her were collected in a valise (we recollect that she had only came pro- visionally, to spend the wedding-night with her husband), she arose before the countess: “Will you, madam, bear witness,” said she, “that I leave here the jewels with which the King of Thes- saly has presented me. When wickedness and calumny are excited against me, which is inevitable and very near, for they stamp upon misfortune as much as they bow before success, when the most ab- surd and the basest lies shall be disseminated about me, I give you, madam, the authority to contra- dict them, if they ever dare to accuse me of cupidity. Now, Iam ready; will you, I pray you, indicate to me the road which I have to follow to execute the orders that you have received.” Eomicbooks.com