The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 376: what you’re looking at

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

346 THE COURT OF LONDON ensure silence on the part of all those witnesses whom you have gathered together at the priory? ”’ ‘‘ Beyond all doubt,’’ was the answer immediately given by Lady Bellenden. “ And on your side— ” ‘“‘T can guarantee that the secrets of this mysterious boudoir shall remain unknown,” rejoined Montgomery; “and that the world shall never suspect that the late Marquis of Bellenden died by poison.” ; *“‘ And you, Fernanda,” said the marchioness, now adopting a more familiar style, “ are you agreeable to an amicable settlement? ”’ “Eugene has truly observed that we cannot continue » at war without entailing destruction upon all three,’ replied Lady Holderness. ‘“ As for myself, I have no further ani- mosity against you, Laura; because if you made us pass through an ordeal, we have done the same by you, and therefore we are quits. Nay, more, if you would permit me to offer you a suggestion, I might propound a plan by which the settlement of the whole affair would be easy and natural.”’ ‘““Speak!’”’ ejaculated the earl and the marchioness to- gether. Then, as a suspicion relative to Fernanda’s meaning flashed to the brain of each at the same moment, they could not help exchanging half-smiles and significant looks. “Ah! you already anticipate me, I perceive,’ exclaimed Lady Holderness. ‘ Well, I declare it is the best plan you can adopt! Of course you will allow me to take that portion of the Warwickshire property which I have all along claimed and to which the Master has pronounced me entitled; and the sooner the Marchioness of Bellenden becomes Lady Montgomery, the better.” ‘‘ Laura, you once called me your handsome Eugene — here — in this very room,” said the earl, forgetting all his past rancour, not only on the ground of expediency, but likewise because the boudoir had stirred up glowing reminiscences and voluptuous longings in his mind. “ Yes, in this very room, Laura, did you pay me the most flattering compliments — ”’ ‘And I told you likewise that I was not altogether defi- cient in personal charms,” interrupted Lady Bellenden, her features now expanding into a soft wanton smile; “ and if you consider that I did not make an idle, silly vaunt —’’ © ‘TI always declared that my cousin Laura was supremely CONNIE IOOKS