The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 372: what you’re looking at

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

342 THE COURT OF LONDON thoughts suggested another, and, approaching the window, he looked forth. The casement was upon the southern side of the priory, —that quarter of the building which has already been described as the one that had preserved its monastic appearance, with its massive walls, long and deeply set windows, low doors, and high pointed roofs, — and the | casement whence Montgomery now looked out commanded a view of the garden. From the gate in the front boundary wall two distinct gravel-walks branched off, one leading to the principal entrance of the mansion (which was on the northern side), and the other threading a shubbery of ever- greens and leading to the middle of the southern side. “Tt was by this latter path that I was led blindfold on the’ night of my visit to the boudoir,” thought Montgomery, within himself, as he thus carefully examined the details of the locality. ‘‘ Yes, there can be no doubt of it. My cal- culations do not err, and the door by which I was conducted into the building must be on this same side. Then the passage which we have now been threading assuredly leads to the staircase communicating with that door.” These thoughts passed rapidly through the mind of the earl; and, turning away from the window, he threw a quick and searching glance upon Lady Bellenden. That look, taking her as it were unawares, surprised upon her counte- nance the reflection of a feeling of uneasiness which was troubling her mind at the moment, as if she had penetrated into the motives of his survey from the window, and dreaded the surmises that he was sure to deduce therefrom. “Well, my lord,” she said, instantaneously recovering her self-possession, and resuming a look of offended dignity, ‘do you behold aught in the appearance of this chamber to warrant the belief that you have ever been here before? ”’ ‘‘ Nothing,” was the laconic reply. The marchioness accordingly led the way out of the bou- doir through the bedchamber into the passage, along which she began to retrace her steps toward the landing, when the earl exclaimed, “ With your permission, Lady Bellenden, we will proceed in this direction.”’ And he sped toward the farther extremity of the corridor, passing in his way the doors of two or three apartments. ‘My lord, remember that this is not your own house! ”’ cried the marchioness, in a tone of mingled rage and terror, CONNIE IOOKS