The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

116 THE COURT OF LONDON conducted the two females along the passage, — Gertrude on his right, Lady Lechmere on his left; and all the time he kept his looks so divided, as 1t were, between them both, that they could find no opportunity of exchanging significant glances. Thus Lady Lechmere, who understood full well all the horrible bantering which ran through the earl’s observations, was not able either to breathe a syllable, or - throw a look that might prepere Gertrude for the winding up of this strange drama. On her part, the young woman was still a prey to an uncertainty that every instant grew - more painful; but, as the earl still continued to treat her as if she were really the countess, she, of course, sustained the part by keeping the hood drawn over her countenance. The earl continued to talk in the same strain as before, ~ while he conducted his two female companions down the staircase, and, as he came within the hearing of the footman who was in the hall, he said, with all the appearance of the most genuine sincerity, “‘ 1am sure, my dear Lady Lechmere, the countess must feel deeply grateful for the kind interest which you experience in her. I am sure that these evenings which she passes at your house are the happiest in her hfe. But, my dear Editha,” he suddenly exclaimed, turning toward Gertrude, “ how you muffle yourself up! Here, at the end of April, too, — when it is quite warm, — I am sure it must be very unwholesome. At all events, throw back the hood.”’ And suiting the action to the word, the earl raised his hand so quickly, and drew back the hood so abruptly, that Gertrude had not even time to anticipate the pro- ceeding, and thus, all in a moment, was the countenance of the lady’s-maid revealed to the astonished footman who stood holding the front door open. ‘‘ Heavens! ”’ ejaculated the Earl of Curzon, now affecting to be struck with dismay. ‘‘ What does this mean? ”’ Gertrude, deadly pale, stood transfixed to the spot, while Lady Lechmere gave utterance to a groan of anguish, and sank down senseless at the foot of the stairs. ‘“ What means all this, I demand?” exclaimed the Earl of Curzon, pretending to be almost frantic. “ Look — behold — here is my wife’s maid, decked out in her mis- tress’s apparel, even to the very cloak with the hood. Ah! what a convenient hood! ”’ ce Pit - * * 2 ‘ ECORMICLIOO KS (E(0) | 5 3