The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 364: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES QF THE Court. | rn rr ee % x 1 tai VV y ee i i 4 : : F. rh ni rae e —e - t = Ai ® t =——— eee te ‘a! <—— , =| ‘eu Mees ara ; " . , . \ = es "0 ‘ol F. eT, a A " in U a i ae & r' Te ey was instantaneously recognised, notwifnstanding, by the landlord and his wife. Out they came, fol- lowed by the hostler and the chambermaid—the men cap in hand and the females all smiles and curtseys—for some years had elapsed since the Marchioness of Bellenden had honoured the village with her presence, and her arrival now was as welcome as it was unexpected ! Yes—it was the Marchioness herself who had Just halted at the Bellenden Arms. She was tra- velling with post-horses and was attended only by a footman and a female domestic, both of whom had been for some years in her service and were of long-tried fidelity. To the greetings of the landlord and landlady of the Bellenden Arms her ladyship responded in the kindest manner ; and alighting from the carriage, she entered the homely parlour to which - they escorted her. Having ordered some refreshment, she desired that a message should be sent to the 97 7 ee Wee oye aie b q 7 Seal village rector, requesting him to favour her with a call; and as the reverend gentleman lived within a couple of hundred yards of the tavern, he speedily waited upon the Marchioness. “Mr. Roberts,” said her ladyship, when the ‘usual compliments and greetings had been exchanged, “TI am desirous to visit the church for a particular purpose. Indeed, I purpose to descend into the vault of the Bellenden family; and I therefore request you to procure the necessary assistance to raise the stone and light me into the receptacle of the dead. You will perhaps also be good enough to accompany me, as I may need a witness with regard to the investigation that I am about to make.” “Your ladyship’s commands shall be promptly attended to,” said the Rev. Mr. Roberts, by no means startled at the nature of the instructions he had received, inasmuch as he at once compre- hended that the object of the Marchioness bore CONNEC OOO co