The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

132 THE COURT OF LONDON gazed upon her with the air of a man to whom the counte- nance of a visitor is not altogether unfamiliar, although he cannot at the moment guess where or when he has seen it before. ‘“ You do not recognize me?” said Caroline, with an arch smile. Then, instantaneously resuming a serious expression of countenance, she observed, ‘‘ But you remember the young woman who brought you certain important documents a few months ago? ”’ “Ah! now I know you, my mysterious acquaintance,” cried the lawyer, with a partial smile. ‘‘ But wherefore this disguise? ”’ “That is my affair,” said Caroline, laconically. ‘I have ° called to inform you that Florimel has returned to town, and, what is more, that he has guessed by whom the docu- ments were stolen from him. But the individual who took them is beyond his reach, and there is no chance of exposure in that quarter.” ‘Then our position remains unaltered and safe?” ob- served Mr. Rigden, inquiringly. _ “So far as Florimel is concerned,” replied Miss Walters. “‘ But there is a certain lady who exercises a great influence over George Woodfall, the claimant to the Florimel peerage and estates; and I have reason to believe that she would play him false in order to serve her own purposes.” ‘* You doubtless allude to the Marchioness of Bellenden? ”’ said the lawyer. ‘‘ But depend upon it your suspicions are wholly unfounded. The marchioness is a model of virtue, excellence, and piety, and she would not do a wrong action for the world. Ah! you smile incredulously —” “Perhaps I am too suspicious, ’” observed Caroline, the sardonic expression still wavering upon her lips. ‘ But I presume that if George Woodfall were to suffer himself to be persuaded by the marchioness or anybody else to quash the proceedings already instituted on his behalf, he has the power, and you could not go on without his assent? ”’ ‘‘ Exactly so,’ exclaimed Rigden: ‘“ But you cannot fancy that Mr. Woodfall would be mad enough to abandon a process which he is sure to gain in the long run? ”’ ‘“‘ Does not a certain Miss Rose Foster reside at Bellenden Priory? ’’ asked Caroline; ‘“‘ and is not Mr. igi Woodfall deeply in love with this young lady? ”’ CORNKEAIOOKS m