The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 341: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWO NOBLEMEN 307 ‘Montgomery, “‘I cannot do otherwise than respect your decision. At the same time, I most sincerely wish that such an adventure would offer itself to me. By Jove! nothing could be more amusing, nothing more exciting. I suppose you would not like the idea of allowing me to assume the blue domino and take your place at the approaching mas- querade? ”’ ‘“‘ My dear Eugene, such a proposal is unworthy of you,” said Lord Florimel, in a tone of grave remonstrance. ‘ Would it be honourable to the lady in question, whoever she may be ee ae ‘““T was only joking, Gabriel,’ interrupted the earl, who nevertheless bit his lip with vexation. ‘ Of course this is a secret which you must keep religiously and as a man of honour. But wherefore are you thus serious, and why is your air so preoccupied? There is evidently something on your mind besides the present topic of conversation.” “To speak candidly,’ said Lord Florimel, after nearly a minute’s profound silence and deep meditation, “ the overtures conveyed by that masquerade-ticket and the blue domino have reminded me of an adventure which occurred fifteen months ago, before my brother’s sudden death conferred upon me the family title and estates. The adventure to which I allude was of a most extraordinary character; and I could not help just now associating it somewhat with the present overtures, although there is not any substantial ground to warrant the supposition that the lady concerned in the former affair is the same who has sent me the masquerade-card and the blue costume.” ‘‘ And that adventure of which you are speaking,” said Lord Montgomery, whose curiosity was excited, “is it a secret, or may I, without indiscretion, beg you to relate it?” ‘TI do not think that there can be any breach of honour on my part in making you acquainted with the singular occurrence,’ returned Florimel; ‘‘ especially as no pledge of secrecy was exacted from me at the time, and no particular lady’s reputation can possibly suffer by the narrative.” ‘‘ Pray proceed; I am all attention,” said Lord Montgom- _ ery, drawing his chair closer to that of his young friend. “You are aware, my dear Eugene,” began Florimel, ‘“ that as my late brother was unmarried and was of an ex- ceedingly nervous temperament, I dwelt with him in this (Gi ®) AG 6)(0)©) (C(O)