The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 353: what you’re looking at

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

WOLVES THROWING OFF DISGUISE ool Sir Douglas, who was keenly alive to every look or gesture on the part of the lady, and who saw in her increasing con- fusion something calculated to excite the most alarming suspicions, failed not to observe that glance which she in- voluntarily flung toward the door. He was no stranger to the existence of that suite of apartments. As one of the most intimate friends of Lord Leveson, all the. treacherous or licentious mysteries thereof were well known to him; and it was therefore natural that he should now suddenly argue the very worst. He had been told that Leveson was particularly engaged; his visit had evidently overwhelmed Lady Ernestina with confusion and dismay, and that telltale look which she had flung at the door of the private chambers at once seemed to afford a clue to all that was passing. “Ah! I understand,’’ exclaimed the baronet; ‘‘ my friend the marquis is in those rooms, and as I am no stranger to the mysteries of his mansion, I will, with your ladyship’s permission, at once seek him there.”’ As he thus spoke, Sir Douglas Huntingdon hastened to- ward the door of the private apartments; but Lady Ernes- tina sprang after him and caught him by the arm, exclaim- ing, “‘ No, sir, you must not intrude upon my uncle’s pri- vacy.” ‘“< T am well aware, as a matter of course,’’ said Huntingdon, “that my behaviour may seem somewhat extraordinary; but it will be your ladyship’s fault if it now merge into downright rudeness. ‘‘Rudeness! what do you mean, sir? ”’ ejaculated Ernes- tina, a deeper crimson than before suffusing her face, and her eyes flashing angrily. ‘“‘ You surely, as a gentleman, are incapable of rudeness toward me, a lady?” “Then, as a lady,” cried the baronet, in a stern and even imperious tone such as perhaps he had never used in his life before, ‘‘ conduct yourself like a lady, and depend upon it I should never dream of treating you otherwise.” ‘Again I demand of you, sir, what you mean by this insulting observation?’’ cried Ernestina, now labouring under a terrible excitement. ‘““T mean,” responded the baronet, with a significance of look and a determination of manner that made her quail and recoil in dismay, ‘‘ I mean that if you prevent me from entering those rooms, I shall suspect that you are acquainted GOMIGDoOo <S GO