The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

254 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘‘ Ah!’ exclaimed the marquis, his countenance lighting up with joy; ‘“‘do you mean really to tell me that Julia Owen is at this moment with your prisoner? This is excel- lent, especially as I have brought some one with me — ” ‘Did I not assure your lordship this morning,’ inter- rupted the prefect, not heeding the last words of the noble- man, ‘‘ that it would be for to-night? ”’ ‘‘ Yes,” responded Leveson; ‘and relying upon the accuracy of your Excellency’s information, I have brought a certain person with me whom I wish to become a specta- tress of her beloved Jocelyn in the arms of the seductive Julia.”’ ‘“‘ Ah!” ejaculated the prefect; ‘is it possible that you have caused Miss Louisa Stanley to come all the way from England to view her lover’s infidelity, — supposing that such infidelity shall really take place? ”’ ‘‘ And wherefore not kill two birds with one stone? ”’ said the marquis, with a knowing look. ‘‘ The opportunity was too good to be lost, and I accordingly availed myself of it.” ‘?Tis an admirable stroke of policy! ’’ exclaimed Jules Martignac. ‘‘ Yes, an admirable stroke of policy if your lordship be indeed anxious to break off the contemplated match between Louisa Stanley and this Jocelyn. And, by the bye, since I have heard that this Louisa is so beautiful,” continued the vain young Frenchman, with a self-sufficient air, ‘‘ perhaps your lordship would afford me an opportunity of making myself agreeable to her; for I should really like to have an English mistress.”’ ‘‘T am sorry that I cannot gratify you in this respect,” returned the Marquis of Leveson, smiling; ‘ but the fact is that Louisa Stanley is such a perfect angel of beauty I intend to try my own fortune with her first.”’ ‘‘ But where is she? ”’ inquired the prefect. ‘On leaving the ambassador’s just now,” responded the marquis, ‘“‘ I drove around to the hotel where she is staying with me, and brought her hither in my carriage. She is now in the anteroom.”’ ‘‘ And Mary Owen, who was staying with her at Canter- bury? ”’ said the prefect. ‘“‘ Is still remaining there,’ answered Leveson, “‘ in order to take care of Louisa’s sick aunt during her absence. (CONMIClOoOlKS (C(O) im