The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

THE INVALID 113 dissipated in a moment; but the impression that she had poisoned him still remained fixed upon his mind. Ringing the bell furiously, he asked the servant who responded to the: summons where the milliner was. The domestic replied that Mrs. Brace had passed only a minute or two previously into the adjoining house. “Very well. You may retire,’’ exclaimed Frederick, savagely; and as soon as the servant had hurried off, amazed and frightened at the invalid’s brutal manner and ghastly appearance, Dray muttered to himself, “ I’ll seek her out and accuse her of poisoning me, though all the lords and bridal parties in the universe have met together this night beneath our roof.”’ And half-maddened with the most torturing sensations of mind and body, the wretched man proceeded as quickly as he was able into the more private part of the spacious establishment. The hall was deserted, — the usual attendant there having been relieved from his post on the present occasion in pursuance of the instructions given by Rao to Mrs. Brace; and without encountering a soul, did Fred- erick Dray drag himself up the handsome staircase. On reaching the landing he made straight for the best drawing-room, where he expected to find Mrs. Brace and the bridal party; and it was just after the commencement of the marriage ceremony as described at the close of the pre- ceding chapter, that the door was suddenly burst open, a light streamed into the saloon, until that moment involved in such utter darkness, and the ghastly form of Frederick Dray, enveloped in the dressing-gown, appeared upon the threshold. | A shriek burst from the lips of the bride, an ejaculation of anger from those of the bridegroom. The parson stopped short, and Mrs. Brace was struck speechless and motionless with dismay, her eyes fixed on the spectral-like form of her paramour. - But at the next moment a louder and wilder exclamation thrilled from the tongue of Lord Florimel, as his looks fell upon the person of the bride. For he saw at a glance that it was not his Unknown, — that she was shorter and thinner; and tearing away the veil from her countenance, he started back in mingled amazement and affright as he instantane- ously recognized the countenance of Caroline Walters. GomilGcyaooks (S©)