The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

100 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘ Private.’ And now, my lord, you have the whole history of the transaction.” ‘““ Yes,’’ stammered Curzon, scarcely able to conceal his astonishment at this unexpected explanation, ‘‘ and I must admit that you acted very handsomely in the business.”’ ‘“‘ T presume that if the Countess of Curzon has not already mentioned the affair to your lordship, it has been for want of a suitable opportunity or else through oversight.”’ ‘““ T suppose it must be so,” remarked Curzon, not knowing what to say and scarcely what to think; but still he was as far as ever from entertaining the remotest suspicion that Emmerson had become his wife’s paramour. Taking his leave, he issued forth from the money-lender’s office and was about to remount his horse, when he was suddenly accosted by a well-dressed and good-looking young man whose countenance appeared to be familiar to him. ‘““ My lord,” said this individual, ‘‘ will you excuse me for venturing to give your lordship a piece of advice? But I conjure you to be careful in your dealings with that hypo- critical miscreant Emmerson — ”’ “Ah!” ejaculated the earl, “‘ the advice is startling, but perhaps well meant. Who are you? I have seen your face before.”’ ‘Your lordship has seen me in that very office,” was the response, and the young man glanced over his shoulder toward the door of Emmerson’s place of business. “Yes, I recollect you now,” exclaimed the earl. “ Your name is Varian.” ‘‘ And if the world has heard of my crimes, it knows little of my misfortunes,” said the young man, bitterly. “Ii I were a culprit who deserved transportation, then that villain Emmerson is a man for whom even hanging is too good.” ‘‘We cannot converse here, at Emmerson’s very door,” said the earl, ‘‘ and it is absolutely necessary that I should hear all you may have to unfold concerning your late master. Will you accompany me into some adjacent tavern? ” “No, my lord, not now,’’ answered Varian. ‘“ Having received a full pardon, I avail myself of the first leisure moment to come hither and seek an interview with the villain Emmerson in order to tax him with all his infamy and overwhelm him with reproaches. This is the beginning Gomicbdooks (E(@)