The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

- THE PRIVATE APARTMENTS 53 ‘‘ Say that you are a person been to see my valet Brock- man,” at once suggested the marquis. “As good an excuse as any, I dare say,” returned the Hangman. ‘“ So now good evening, my lord.” With these words Daniel Coffin made his exit by the secret door which the Marquis of Leveson had just opened, and which he immediately afterward closed again behind the departing form of the hideous ruffian. Great, too, was the relief which his lordship experienced when the Hangman was no longer in his presence, and he said to himself, ‘‘ What new trouble is Ernestina involving herself in, and how on earth could this dreadful man have found either the excuse or the means to visit her? ”’ For a few moments the marquis was so bewildered and perplexed that he felt as if he could not settle his mind to anything until he had sought an explanation from Ernestina; but the recollection that the beautiful Venetia was close at hand speedily absorbed all other considerations, and hasten- ing back to the adjoining room, he found her seated in an apparently half-fainting condition upon the sofa where she had thrown herself. ‘Fear nothing, dearest Venetia,’ said the marquis, “‘ he is gone.”’ “Oh, the hideous monster,’”’ murmured Lady Sackville, affecting to have experienced a far greater shock than she actually had, much though in reality she had been moved by the occurrence, but by pretending to be thus entirely overpowered, as it were, she hoped to excite the compassion of the marquis. _~ “TI feel ill, very ill,’”’ she said, closing her eyes, and placing her hand upon her brow. ‘Then I will be your nurse, charming creature,’ said the marquis, and he impressed a fervid kiss upon her lips. ** Oh, my lord, after such a scene as that, will you not take compassion on me? Will you show me no mercy?” she asked, in a tone of plaintive entreaty. ‘* Permit me, dearest, to assist you to a chamber close at hand, — that chamber,’’ added Lord Leveson, “‘ whither I was about to escort you just now; and there may you prove the most interesting of invalids and I the most attentive of all nurses.”’ ‘“‘ Ah! this is a cruel mockery, my lord,’’ exclaimed Vene- (C(O) nn) GDoOo Sai nin