The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

AN ARISTOCRATIC PAIR 19 probability, return until eleven o’clock or perhaps midnight ; and the latter had no doubt received permission to pass the evening with her friends. What if the earl were to search in Editha’s boudoir to see if he could discover the note which she had received in the morning, or any other letters that might afford a clue to her conduct? Inspired with this idea, Curzon hastened up-stairs, entered the boudoir, and, closing the door, began to search all the drawers. He however discovered nothing of any conse- quence. Editha’s writing-desk stood upon a table, but it was locked. He took out his own bunch of keys and tried every one of them at all corresponding with the size of the lock. The last key was found to fit, and the desk was opened. One of the compartments was filled with letters, which the earl proceeded to examine with careful attention. But they were chiefly invitations to parties, communications from the female friends of the countess or from her sisters, or dunning applications from tradesmen. One note, however, some- what puzzled the earl. It was from Lady Lechmere, dated about three months back, and running as follows: ‘““T have received your hasty note, my dear Editha, and send you back areply by Gertrude. Yes, I will be at home all the evening, and will adopt the usual precautions. You have nothing to fear on that account. The servants shall receive orders to admit no one but the Countess of Curzon. But are you certain that you can trust the girl? ‘“ Your affectionate friend, ‘ KATHERINE LECHMERE.”’ This letter, laconic though it were, was sufficient to strengthen the earl’s misgivings. There was evidently some secret understanding between his wife and Lady Lechmere. What usual precautions were to be adopted? Why was there ‘nothing to fear? And if the girl alluded to was Gertrude, wherefore should it be necessary to exercise caution in trust- ing her? Did Editha receive a lover’s visits at Lady Lech- mere’s? If so, what meant the orders to the servants to admit no one but Editha herself? Lady Lechmere was a widow, and had neither brother, uncle, son, nor male cousin, residing with her beneath the same roof. Editha’s lover, if she had one, was not therefore an inhabitant of the house; COM a LOOKS (CO)