The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 338: what you’re looking at

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

304 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘“ And sometimes intentionally, no doubt,’”’ added Florimel. “ But I keep all my papers and parchments in a tin box » undermybed— Ah! what do you want, Rao? ”’ demanded the young nobleman, suddenly interrupting himself to address that question to his black page, who had glided with his usual noiseless step into the room, where he had, indeed, remained unperceived for upwards of a minute. The sable youth made no verbal reply, but handed his master a letter upon a silver salver; he then bowed and withdrew as silently as he had entered. ‘“‘ How long have you had that page, Gabriel? ”’ inquired Lord Montgomery, as soon as the door closed behind the object of this query. “Only a week,”’ answered the young nobleman. “T hope you had good references with him,” said Mont- gomery. “Why so?” demanded Florimel, surprised at the obser- vation. “ Oh, I don’t know; ’twas an idea which entered my head at the time,”’ exclaimed Montgomery. ‘“ But the truth is, I do not like that noiseless way of gliding imperceptibly in and out of aroom; and that boy made me almost shudder at the moment, as if it were a black snake creeping in with so much sinister mystery.’ ‘‘ Such a prejudice against poor Rao is ridiculous, Eugene,” cried Florimel, in a tone of remonstrance; “ and if we were not intimate friends, I should really feel indignant at the unjust suspicion which your words imply.” ‘“‘ Well, let us change the subject, my dear fellow,” said Montgomery. ‘‘ What have you got there?” he inquired, as Florimel opened the letter which had been brought in. “A card for a masquerade at Covent Garden Theatre,’ replied the young nobleman. ‘‘ Who on earth could have sent me this?” he exclaimed, turning the card over and over in his hands. “Is there nothing written inside the envelope?” asked Lord Montgomery. “Nothing,” said Florimel. ‘ And the address outside is evidently penned in a feigned hand,” he added, scruti- nizing the superscription with attention. “ But I have not the least knowledge of this writing, not the remotest suspicion — ” , COMmMIIcoooks (CO)