The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 371: what you’re looking at

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

THE SECOND ORDEAL $41. the veil which a consummate hypocrisy has thrown over a career of unbridled licentiousness.’’ | | “Your calumny is as odious as it is false, my lord! ”’ exclaimed the Marchioness of Bellenden, her manner all of a sudden becoming so lofty and dignified and her looks so full of a proud assurance, that the earl was staggered. ‘“‘ Perhaps her ladyship would allow you to see her boudoir, Eugene,” said Fernanda, in a tone of quiet sarcasm; “ and although, from what you have told me, the scene of love, and infatuation, and folly, was involved in utter darkness, yet may you have acquired a knowledge of the locality suff- ciently distinct to be able to identify it.” ‘“‘ My indignation would prompt me to return a peremptory refusal to comply with any such suggestion,’ exclaimed the marchioness, her manner acquiring a still loftier assurance; ‘“ ut I feel so jealous of that reputation which is now assailed for the first time — at least within my hearing — that I shall unhesitatingly adopt any course which is calculated to refute the foul aspersion. Follow me.” And issuing from the room by the door that opened upon the landing, the marchioness led the way along a passage, Fernanda and Eugene following close behind. ‘* This is my bedchamber,”’ said Laura, in a tone of proud confidence, as she stopped half-way down the passage and threw open the door of an apartment. ‘‘ Your ladyship will excuse our impertinence if we enter it,” said Lord Montgomery; but as he crossed the threshold, the rapid glance which he threw upon the draperies of the couch and the curtains of the windows showed him that they tallied not with the pieces which Lord Florimel had given him. “ But this is not a boudoir?” he exclaimed, fixing his eyes intently upon the marchioness. : “This is my boudoir,” said the lady, at once throwing open another door, and leading the way to an inner room. - Again was Montgomery at fault. The draperies matched not the pieces; and moreover the arrangements of the bou- doir were totally different.from those which he remembered so well, and according to which the table stood between the sofa and the bed, and a large armchair was near the head of the bed itself. But might not the curtains have been changed since the pieces were cut out of them? And might not the arrangements of the room have been altered? These (COU boo eS (E@)