The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

14 THE COURT OF LONDON abandoned the idea, and resolved to watch her move- ments. Luncheon was presently served up; and afterward Lady Curzon retired to her chamber to dress. The earl went out to visit some friends; but they all noticed that he looked gloomy and absent. At six he returned home to dinner; and as there was no company that day, he and his wife were alone together. He drank more freely than usual, and forced himself into a gaiety which was, after all, so well assumed that it entirely deceived the countess. ‘“ What are you going to do with yourself this evening? ”’ he inquired, when the dessert was placed upon the table and the domestics had withdrawn. ‘““T was thinking of passing an hour or two with Lady Lechmere,’’ was the quiet response. ‘“ But I thought you did not purpose to go out to-day? ”’ said Curzon, regarding her furtively but with earnest atten- tion. ‘““T meant that I was in no humour to take my usual air- ing in the carriage,’ observed Editha, glancing toward the timepiece on the mantel. ‘““ May I accompany you to Lady Lechmere’s? ” asked the earl, as he helped himself to claret. ‘What an idea!” ejaculated the countess, looking hard at her husband. Then, feeling convinced that he suspected nothing, so well did he dissimulate, she observed, laughing, “The world will fancy you have become quite uxorious all on a sudden. Besides, Lady Lechmere did not include you in the invitation she sent me this morning, for that note which I received when you were with me was from her.” ‘Well, I do not press it,’’ said the earl, apparently quite satisfied. ‘‘ Only I thought that as we have been a little more friendly to-day than for some time past, it would be as well if such a feeling were to continue.” ‘And who first destroyed that feeling? ”’ asked Editha, with a slight accent of sarcasm in her voice. _ “TI must confess that I have not proved a model of a husband,’ said the earl; ‘‘ but then there are allowances to be made. Remember the artificial state of society in which we live, move, and breathe, think of the temptations by which a man of my rank and position is inevitably surrounded — ”’ GOmMicbdooks (E(0)