The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 327: what you’re looking at

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

$34 THE MYSTERIBS OF THE COURT. “I hope,” he said, “that your ladyship will; “You can appreciate, therefore, my motives,” perdon this intrusion—perhaps a most unwarrant- | continued her ladyship, “when I begged Mies able one: but in consequence of something that | Archer to give me time to think over the matter, has transpired, I feel it my duty to solicit a little information at your ladyship’s hands.” “Upon what subject ?” ebe inquired, with such an outward display of calmness that not for a single moment could he fancy her to be inwardly ruffled. “It is relative to that unfortunate occurrence relief to Lady Gaxondale; and resuming her own seat, ahe motioned the constable to take a chair. “I suppose you allude to the assassination of the two women on the bank of the river?” she observed. “It is ov, my lady. That dress which your ladyship saw yesterday, has been placed in my hands. I am afraid that the subject may be a delicate oné-——”’ “In what respect?’ asked Eady Saxondale, somewhat hastily. “ My lady, rumoar did at the time whisper that Sexondale was somewhat intumately ac- quainted with Miss Archer; and therefore it is natural to understand how your ladyship may dislike having the topie brought to your attention.” | Consider trophe. “J thank your ladyship for these explanations,” paid the constable, making s low bow. marriage anxious he should contract. And mow, my ledy, me to repeat it: suffice it to say, it was faleo:— but Miss Archer had been led to believe it was true. By certain means—no matter what—ehe obteined posseesion of that dress; and she posed to use it as a means of extortion in to my purse. When she called upon me, I proached her bitterly for having adopted vile, bese means; end essured her that again sought my presence, if ahe restored that very costly costume which had from me-———yes, stolen from me-——I listen to another word she might have And now, my dear air, with your good with your delicate appreciation of ciroumstances, you ean understand how it was that I did not choose to recognise that dress, even when inspect- ing it closely, on ite being displayed by the labour- ing man yesterday.” “To be sure not!” exclaimed the constable: E by sf ay -ai We before all the members of your household.” The official was indeed completely satiafied of the truth of every word which Lady had spoken; for such was the seeming frankness | COLMUG 5 DOO CS (COL