The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 395: what you’re looking at

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

SAGOONAH 373 the looks or the discourse of serving-men or customers: it was only too clear that the deed still remained undone. Madame Angelique proceeded into the neighbourhood of the Princess Indora’s villa, and she watched until she saw Mark, the faithful majordomo, issue forth from the premises. Then, so soon as he was out of sight, she hastened toward the fence, and in a few minutes Sagoonah made her ap- pearance. “‘T thought you would have come yesterday,” said the ayah, immediately upon reaching the fence. “‘ I fancied that you would be only too anxious to learn whether it was done, and if not, why it was left undone.” ““My dear Sagoonah,” answered Madame Angelique, quivering with suspense, “‘ I felt so certain that your courage would not fail you — I was so convinced that you were en- dowed with such an indomitable fortitude — ”’ “Cease these idle flatteries,” interrupted the ayah with impatience. ‘I have but a minute to tarry here. Listen! There is an English girl beneath this roof — ”’ “T know it,’ said Madame Angelique: “ Christina Ashton.” “‘ And so long as that girl is here,” continued Sagoonah, with rapid utterance, ‘‘ my arm is paralyzed. I need say no more. It is not in my power to devise or execute any scheme to get rid of her; this must be a task for you to undertake and to accomplish.” “But how?” exclaimed Madame Angelique, stricken aghast by the announcement. ‘ It may take days and days to put some stratagem into execution — ”’ “If you, then, are so deficient in means for a small under- taking,” interrupted Sagoonah, coldly, “‘ how can you pos- sibly fancy that I shall incur every risk and make every sacrifice for a great undertaking? Understand me well. Rid me of that girl, and the deed shall be done, but so long as she remains there, I will not make another effort toward its accomplishment.” Having thus spoken, Sagoonah turned abruptly away. Madame Angelique called after her, but she would not stop, neither did she even look back. She seemed as if she heard not the vile woman’s words, and her tall bayadere form, clothed in its white drapery, was speedily lost amidst the trees to the view of Madame Angelique. COMMIC DOO) ‘S (E) mM