The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 342: what you’re looking at

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

EARL OF MONTGOMERY’S VISITORS © 3l1l beginning that my errand was not of an unfavourable nature.” “ Tam obliged to you, Chapman,— much obliged to you, — for the interest which you have taken in my affairs,’’ said the earl, rising from his seat and pacing the apartment in a reflect- ive mood. ‘ What, after all,if my cousin Laura should prove to be a consummate hypocrite? If she were really guilty of the crime of murder — if she were capable of poisoning +— she could also play the wanton and the harlot, and conceal her debaucheries beneath that eternal garb of widowhood. Heavens! if it were indeed she on whose panting, heaving bosom I lay pillowed in the boudoir of darkness and mystery, when in a moment of rapturous idolatry and sensuous intoxication I revealed to the ears of the enchantress those tremendous secrets — ”’ The earl’s musings were interrupted at this point by the entrance of a domestic, who came to announce that Mr. Rigden’s head clerk requested an interview with his lordship. ‘““ Where is he?’ demanded the nobleman, the quiver of suspense and excitement shooting through his frame, for he knew that the individual in question had been despatched into Warwickshire to make inquiries concerning his brother Raymond. “I have shown him into your lordship’s private sitting- room,’’ responded the domestic. “I will join him there,” said Montgomery. ‘“ Take this worthy man with you to the servants’ hall,” continued the earl, indicating Chapman by a look, “‘ and see that he is well and bounteously treated.” Having issued these instructions, the nobleman hastened to the sitting-room where Mr. Rigden’s head clerk was waiting his presence. By the travel-soiled appearance and untidy toilet of the individual, it was easy to perceive that he had just come from a long journey and that he had passed the night in a vehicle; and the earl trembled from head to foot as he thought within himself, ‘‘ It must be a matter of no ordinary importance that could have induced this man to come straight hither the moment he set foot in London again.’’ But the earl had time to master his feelings and compose his looks while the head clerk, who was naturally of a servile and cringing disposition, made him a low obeisance. i EGOMIGIOOKS (S©)