The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

THE POND 25 Redcliffe would save her as much as possible from exposure, and that he would also shield her against the anger of the Duke of Marchmont. “1 will do you no harm,” he responded, “ and as for the anger of the Duke of Marchmont, you surely can defy it. We will now walk away from this fearful spot. I am about to accompany you to the door of the farmhouse where you are residing, and you will give me those dresses which were sent from London to serve the most diabolical of purposes. To-morrow, at an early hour, you would do well to leave the neighbourhood, and if the incidents of this night have pro- duced any salutary effect upon your mind, I should counsel you to return not to that gilded den of infamy in London whence you came, but to study how to adopt a better course of life. There is one condition which I must impose, and this is that you mention not to the women at the farm- house what has occurred between yourself and me, and that you give them no explanation in respect to your motive for surrendering up the dresses. I need scarcely add that you are equally forbidden to communicate with the Duke of Marchmont, because you will not be so mad as to place yourself within the sphere of his vindictive rage.”’ While he was thus speaking, Clement Redcliffe conducted Lettice away from the vicinage of the pond, and they pur- sued the remainder of the short distance to the farmhouse’in silence. Having passed through the gate, Redcliffe broke that silence, saying, ‘‘ Have the goodness to make a parcel of the dresses in as compact a form as possible; I do not wish to take them in the box. I shall remain outside. Use des- patch, bring them to me yourself, and see that you keep back not an article which originally came in that box. Beware how you deceive me, for my pledge guaranteeing your impunity holds good only so far as you execute my bidding honestly and truthfully.” Lettice promised to act as Mr. Redcliffe enjoined her, and he remained at the gate while she entered the house. In about a quarter of an hour she came forth again, with a bundle which she consigned to him. Again too did she en- deavour to catch a glimpse of his countenance, but he was upon his guard in this respect; he did not choose to be rec- ognized, and he felt confident that he was not. Still, however, floated through the mind of Lettice Rodney the suspicion ECORNICLOO (CO) mM