The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XIII PLANS AND INTRIGUES At about eight o’clock on the following evening Rao made his appearance again at Mrs. Brace’s house; and this time he carried a large bandbox in his hand. The milliner in- formed him that she had secured the services of a clergyman, who would be in attendance soon after nine; and Rao then requested her to conduct him to the suite of apartments which she had prepared for the reception of the bridal party. Mrs. Brace accordingly led the black page into the house which looked into St. James’s Square; and, escorting him through the saloons and bedchambers upon the first and second floors, she told him that any or all of those apart- ments were at the service of Lord Florimel. ‘“Good!”’ observed Rao. ‘“‘ And now, madam, you will be kind enough to inform your domestics that they need not trouble themselves to answer any knock or ring at the front door, as I will undertake that duty myself.”’ ‘‘ Be it so,’ said Mrs. Brace. ‘‘ And if you require any assistance for any purpose, you can come to me in the parlour where you have already seen me.” ‘Your services will be needed to give away the bride, madam,” said Rao ; “but I will fetch you at the proper moment, or else request the clergyman to do so. Perhaps you will hold yourself in readiness about: half-past nine o’clock? ”’ “ Certainly, with much pleasure,’”’ responded the milliner. “One word more, madam,” added Rao; then, in a solemn and mysterious tone, he said, ‘“‘ The ceremony will take place in the dark, for reasons which I cannot explain now. But I give you this warning, in order that you may not be taken by surprise.” 95 GOmGe Doo “eS (EO)