The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 326: what you’re looking at

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

306 REYNOLDS’ WORKS Early on the following morning the duke sent off a mes- sage to Oaklands with a letter containing suitable instruc- tions to Purvis, the steward, with regard to the reception that was to be given to the Oriental lady; and so little care had he for the feelings of the duchess that he did not even think it worth while to add a hint to the effect that the circumstance of this visit to be paid to Oaklands by the lady in question was to be for ever withheld from her Grace’s knowledge. At the same time that the messenger set off for Oaklands, the infamous Madame Angelique forwarded a, letter to the post, addressed to the Lady Indora, acquaint- ing her that their Graces the Duke and Duchess of March- mont had the pleasure of placing their country-seat in Hampshire at her ladyship’s disposal for so long a time as it might be agreeable to her to sojourn on that domain. Madame Angelique was careful to assure Indora in this letter that the duke and duchess were occupying their town mansion, and had no thought of going into the country for the present, that therefore the Lady Indora would be perfect mistress of Oaklands, and she (Madame Angelique) wished her ladyship all possible health to enjoy her rambles about the beautiful scenery of the domain. ; We ought perhaps to observe that Sagoonah had remained altogether in ignorance of that warning letter which Mr. Redcliffe had sent to the princess, for Indora had not chosen to terrify her ayah by making her aware that she was the object of any evil design. She had therefore contented her- self at the time with issuing precautionary instructions of a general character, the faithful Mark, the major-domo, being the only one of the servants to whom she confided the nature of that letter. Thus it happened that the name of Mr. Redcliffe was never mentioned by Sagoonah to Madame Angelique. The Princess Indora duly received Madame Angelique’s note, and without communicating its contents to a soul, commenced her preparations for departure. She informed Christina that particular business would take her away for a few days, during which interval she hoped the young maiden would not feel dull nor lonely, and she gave her permission to invite her brother Christian to pass those few days with her at the villa if she thought fit. Her Highness ordered a post-chaise to be in attendance for the ensuing day, CORNICOOOK