The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

146 that they are the beauties they MVS been repre- sented—-—* “But you have not as yet spoken to them /” interjected Redcliffe, as if with a careless manner. “Oh, no!—they are all but imacceesble, and this constitutes the first difficulty that has to be encountered. Nevertheless, I am not to be fright- ened by such obstacles. And now, as we are speaking with frankness, Mr. Redcliffe, I must you something.” eo be sures all franknen,” was this genile- man’s response. “You already know,” continued Madame An- gelique, drawing her chair a little closer towards Redcliffe, and assuming an air of mysterious confi- dence, “ that I enjoy the patronage of some of the ties, highest and wealthiest personages in the realm. By the bye, do you happen to be acquainted -—— But no! If I récollect aright, M. Bertm as- sured me that you axe s perfect stranger in Loo- “ A perfect stranger,” reptied Redcliffe. “I was about to observe,” continued Madame Angelique, “ that to one only of my patrons have -I previously mentioned these oriental women; end he hes charged me to keep smornt, on the mbes faith of your in respect to the extraordinary beauty of theese women. Would you bave an earnest of my liberality? I¢ ie here:”"—end he flung down a|i bank-note upon the tabie. in of the retaining fee; and cera at the note, could scarcely repress will I speak of that Indian lady and her dark- eyed Ayah.” _“ No—thore must be the strictest honour in oar o = THE MYSTERING OF THE COURT. difficulty in comprebending that the Duke to whom the infamous woman alluded was his Grace of Marchmont. “Well, Madame Angelique,” he said, “I put faith in your words. And now, with your per- mission——” ' “JT understand you, sir,” she interrupted hint, i smile. “There are at this moment tly. Her name is Lettice i « By all means, introduce me to your four bess- doubtless be in the saloon by this time: they were periorming their tofles irhen yoo arrived." Madame Angelique rose from her wet, td led the way oot of the boudoir. cond was but too well calculated to infuse heat into the blood of the coldest anchorite. But Redcliffe experienced no such fervour. There was @ deep sense of disgust in his mind,—e disgust at the gilded iniquities into which he was being lectual matters as to fritter away the time in vain shallow frivolities. He spoke of his travels in far- CO IMULUG C) DOO CS (COL