The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 243: what you’re looking at

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

THE FAMILY VAULT 213 spected him, I revered him, I esteemed him as a man who sought to ensure my happiness to the utmost of his power.” ‘IT am glad your ladyship has said this much,” exclaimed Northwitch, with an honest exultation, although the inter- ruption was somewhat of the rudest; ‘ for that scandalous fellow Chapman declares that your ladyship hated and de- tested the late marquis, and that your ladyship loved an- other, saving your ladyship’s presence — ”’ ‘“ Northwitch, have done, be quiet, silence!’ exclaimed the Reverend Mr. Roberts, perfectly horrified at the sexton’s indiscretion, although it plainly arose from the man’s zealous devotion to the cause of the marchioness in opposition to that of the Montgomerys. “The venom of scandalous tongues produces no disagree- able effects upon me,’’ observed the marchioness, in a tone of bland resignation; ‘‘ and whatever rumours my worthy friend Mr. Northwitch has heard need not distress him on my account. But assuredly this is not the most pleasant place in the world to choose for our conversation,’’ cried her ladyship, in a different voice; ‘‘ and I feel the damp of the vault striking chill and cold to my very bones. Let us, then, proceed to search for the object which has brought me hither. Mr. Northwitch, you will oblige me by finding the coffin of the late marquis’s father. The plate should bear the obituary date of 1745, but if you happen to find one of | 1743 —”’ ‘“‘ Here is the coffin, my lady, of which you speak,” ex- claimed the sexton, pausing in the midst of the scrutiny which he had commenced with regard to the tenements of the dead. ‘“‘ But the date is 1748 —”’ “That will do,” said the marchioness. ‘‘ Now, wrench off the plate, or rather remove it gently if you can, and be careful to keep the four screws.’’ Then, turning toward the clergyman, she observed, ‘‘ Mr. Roberts, as my witness in this proceeding, you will maintain your eyes fixed upon that plate and those screws, in order to be enabled to identify them on any future occasion.” ““T will do so, my lady,” answered the minister. The plate was wrenched off, and, together with the screws, was given into the keeping of the reverend gentleman. The Marchioness of Bellenden then quitted the vault, having liberally remunerated the sexton and his assistant, and having Coin VO) eS im