The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

THE UNWELCOME VISITRESS 35 that you have some other purpose than that of merely con- versing with me, you yourself have avowed.”’ ‘“‘ Well, there is a little favour your ladyship can do me,”’ rejoined Mrs. Gale, with her blandest tone and her most motherly looks. ‘Ah! favour — favour,”’ muttered Venetia, impatiently, between her pearly teeth. ‘‘ No one ever comes near me except to ask a favour or extort money.” “And your ladyship, being so kind, so good, and so amiable,’ added Mrs. Gale, who had caught every word thus uttered, but did not choose to take offence at the meaning of the sentence, ‘‘ never refuses anybody. I know your ladyship does not. The very newspapers speak of your generosity, your charity, your benevolence.”’ “Yes, but it is not charity which you, Mrs. Gale, can possibly seek at my hands,” said Venetia.. } ‘“ Well, I don’t know that it’s exactly charity, but I am in a terrible mess of troubles at the present moment, and I really don’t know how to get myself out of them. Your ladyship has no doubt read the account of that rascal Emmerson, who was executed on Monday? ”’ “Yes. But what of him? ”’ ‘Why, between you and me and the post,” returned Mrs. Gale, ‘‘ he was accustomed to use my house, especially with that Lady Curzon, whose death at Geneva has lately been in all the papers. No doubt your ladyship has seen that, too? ”’ | ‘““ Yes, I have read the whole of that tragedy of horrors,”’ answered. Venetia, quickly. ‘‘ But proceed.” ‘‘ Speaking of this tragedy, is it not a dreadful thing? ”’ said Mrs. Gale, who was apt to be garrulous. ‘‘ Why, of all the names figuring in that strange story, I know several; and now that they are dead and gone, there is no harm in speaking of them. But if they were alive, not a word about their doings would issue from my lips. Discretion, — there is nothing like discretion. That’s my motto. But however, as I was saying, I knew several of them. Malpas was at one time constantly at my house along with Lady Curzon, and afterward she used to come with Emmerson, and then — But, ’pon my word, I beg your ladyship’s pardon,”’ exclaimed the woman, who really had forgotten all about the intrigue of the deceased countess with Lady Sackville’s husband (C(O) nn) GDoOo <Si nin