The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

118 THE COURT OF LONDON Mr. Eaton accosted Fernanda; and in a voice of deep feeling, he said, ‘‘ I thank you sincerely, thank you from the very bottom of my heart, for having signified by your presence here this afternoon that the past is forgotten and forgiven. The instant that I received intelligence of your marriage the other day, I longed to call, to pay my respects, to offer my congratulations, and to express a hope that henceforth we should be friends. But I was afraid —”’ ‘‘ You fancied that I was too vindictive ever to relent? ”’ observed Fernanda, smiling so sweetly, so benignantly, and with such a bland expression of Christian feeling, that no human being, however intimately acquainted with her character, would have suspected for a moment that this heavenly wreathing of her lips was assumed as easily as she could put on any other appearance of hypocrisy and guile. ‘‘ But since the past is forgiven,’’ she continued, with a corre- sponding softness of tone, “‘ let it also be forgotten. And now, Arthur, once more I proffer you my hand, the hand of sincere friendship.”’ “ And once more I take it with gratitude and press it with cordial warmth,” said the young gentleman, completely deceived by the words and manner and bearing of that lovely creature who carried the art of duplicity to a degree of such exquisite refinement. The conversation between Arthur Eaton and Lady Holder- ness was then continued in a friendly strain, but upon general and indifferent topics, until the young gentleman suddenly observed, ‘‘ By the bye, I have been grieved to hear that your noble relative, the Countess of Desborough, has suffered a very severe illness.”’ ‘‘ She is convalescent now,’ said Fernanda. ‘ And the two Misses Clarendon are staying, I believe, at the beautiful little villa belonging to the Duchess of Devonshire, near Aylesbury?”’ observed Eaton. in an in- terrogative tone. ‘“ At least, so I learned a day or two ago.” “Yes, such is the case,” responded Fernanda. ‘“ The duchess has taken a great fancy to them.” In this manner was the discourse continued for nearly twenty minutes; but in the meantime, how was Lord Holder- ness employed? The reader has seen how artfully he contrived to get away | from the presence of Mr. Eaton in the drawing-room, and (G0) LG 6)(0)(0)