The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

96 THE COURT OF LONDON less satisfied and more piqued than ever. Not only had he been outwitted by his wife in every way, but he was also duped by her abigail. That he was so duped, Editha well knew; and thus the two together, mistress and maid, had not only utterly baffled all his endeavours to establish the proofs of the former’s infidelity, but were enabled to have a good laugh together at his expense. Nothing, in fact, could be more ridiculous than the position which he felt he occupied in the eyes not only of Editha, but also of Gertrude, and he was determined to be revenged on them both. Of course, as the master of the house, he could at once have discharged the young lady’s-maid; but as there was no ostensible cause to allege for taking such a decisive proceed- ing upon himself, it would appear most arbitrary and unjust, besides its being a most unusual thing for the husband to interfere with the wife’s special dependents. Moreover, the mere discharge of Gertrude would in itself be an act for which she would care so little as to be totally incommensurate with the amount of revenge he sought. She had humbled his pride, she had aided her mistress to baffle and outwit him, and though not naturally of a cowardly character or unmanly disposition, the earl resolved upon some signal and cruel revenge. The reader will perhaps wonder why he did not call upon Lady Lechmere to see what he could discover relative to his wife’s proceedings. But he was too much a man of this world not to know full well that to whatsoever extent Lady Lechmere connived at or assisted Editha’s intrigues, she would be prepared to defend and protect them by giving an indignant denial to any accusation on the subject. Besides which, the earl had no idea of proclaiming to the world the ignominious fact that he knew himself to be a cuckold, but could not prove it, and was therefore compelled to endure his wife’s infidelities. There was, however, one person whom he resolved to see, and this was Emmerson. But not for a moment did it strike the earl that the bill-broker had become his wife’s paramour. Whether they were even acquainted or not he did not exactly know; but that Emmerson had privately sent her back the bills which she had forged in favour of Colonel Malpas was evident enough. How had this occurrence been brought about? Was Emmerson aware of Editha’s guilt, Gomicdooks (E(@)