The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 355: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWO NOBLEMEN 321 result of- that glance of lightning speed, he fixed his looks with a peculiar expression of deep meaning upon Earl Montgomery, saying, “ Did your lordship really wish that I should destroy the blue domino? ”’ The nobleman started and blushed, for he felt that the boy had read the secret thoughts which animated him respecting the masquerade; but the next moment it struck him that Rao’s words might only mean a piece of covert impudence, and nothing more. “You were compelled to obey your master’s orders, doubtless,” the earl accordingly said, in a vague manner; “but it was a pity, all the same.” ** Ah! your lordship thinks that it was a pity? ’’ murmured Rao, darting upon him a look which seemed to penetrate into the profoundest recesses of his soul. Then, in a tone of unmistakable significancy, he added, ‘ But suppose that I had disobeyed my master’s commands, i acts your lordship think the worse of me for it?” “There is some hidden meaning in your looks sail words, boy,” returned Lord Montgomery, “ and we cannot converse any longer in this place. Call upon me in the evening in Grafton Street.” “Yes, at nine o’clock punctually,” observed Rao; and he glided rapidly away from the window recess, scarcely appearing to touch the checkered marble pavement of the hall with his feet, so light was his tread and so glancingly went his steps. The preceding dialogue occupied scarcely a minute, al- though we have taken several to narrate it; and not asyllable was overheard by the other domestics present. Nor were — they surprised to behold Lord Montgomery stopping to address a few words to the black page, inasmuch as the boy had already attracted the notice and won the interest of every visitor to his master’s mansion. The earl quitted the house, and returned to his own abode in Grafton Street, where he resided with his mother, the dowager-countess. (C(O) mG 6)(0)©) So