The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 268: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER CXXXV. THE DUKE ABD HI6 MISTRESS. Tw scene now changes to the British metropolis again ; aod we must introduce the reader to the interior of the house which the Duke of March- mont bad taken in a fashionable quarter for the accomodation of his mistress, Mrs. Oxenden. The reader cannot have forgotten the circumstances under which this lady had foisted, if not forced herself upon the protection of the Duke ; for be it borne in mind that the power which she wielded over bim was derived from the fact that she had becoine a listener to a certain conversation be- tween himeelf and Barnoy the Burker on the night of the gracd entertainment that was given in Belgrave Square. The house was sumptuously furnished; and No. 86.—Founrs SzRizs. there was a large establishment of domestics Mrs. Oxenden appeared determined to do nothing by halves, She herself went to the most fashion- able silversmiths, and ordered a costly service of plate; she visited jewellers’ and several other shops in a similar manner, and made her pur- chases as if the wealth of the Indies were at ber disposal. Every one of the bills, as they were sent home in rapid succession, she enclosed to the Duke of Marchmont, with a request that they might be immediately liquidated. The Duke pur- chased for her a very handsome equipage, consiet- ing of a carriage and pair: but Mrs. Oxenden also required saddle horses—for she was a good eques- trian, and was proud of displaying her fine figure in a riding-babit, She therefore increased her stud at the Duke of Marchmont’s expense; and, in short, she appeared resolved not to deny hereelf anymning that sho set her mind upon. us scarcely had a month elapsed since the comicibooks.conm