The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

LORD AND LADY HOLDERNESS 105 derness, his wife’s observation having touched in his heart the chord which she meant to reach; for if she had allowed five days to elapse ere she compelled him to enter upon the present topic, it was not through any consideration for him- self, but merely that she might have leisure to probe every weakness, foible, and failing of his character. ‘“‘ Listen attentively,’ resumed Fernanda, “ and I shall prove to your satisfaction that the same result which grati- fies my vengeance forwards likewise your interest. In a word, you are still deeply concerned in the necessity of removing Arthur Eaton from our path. For although with your peerage you have obtained a pension, yet is the latter so small that it will not serve to support your rank in a be- coming manner. Already do I perceive, within the five days of my sojourn in this house, that we are living at the rate of ten thousand a year, instead of two. The carriage you set up the very morning after our marriage, the extra servants you engaged at the same time — ” “Yes, yes, your calculations are accurate, Fernanda,”’ interrupted Lord Holderness. ‘‘ But why foresee diffi- culties? ”’ ‘¢ Because we must guard against them,” promptly ejacu- lated her ladyship. ‘‘ Let Arthur Eaton be once removed from your path, and you instantly become heir to the Marchmont estates, that peerage likewise merging in your own.” | ‘¢ Yes, Baron Holderness and Marchmont,”’ said the noble- man, in a musing tone and with a gleam of satisfaction stealing over his countenance. ‘‘ Then, may not the possessor of two peerages boldly and confidently ask for an earldom? ”’ cried the temptress, her beauteous features becoming radiant with the triumphant feeling which she assumed as her bright red lips poured the delicious poison into her husband’s ears. “© Fernanda! ”’ exclaimed Lord Holderness; “‘ you have inspired me with thoughts and aspirations which hurry me onward with a force that is irresistible, and you teach me to look upon the hideous aspect of crime as if I had been ~ familiar with it all my life.’ ‘Be brave, be courageous, be bold, my dear Walter,” cried the false siren, rising from her seat and throwing her white arms around her husband’s neck. ‘‘ Come, behave in a — (C(O) MG DOO