The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

THE WITNESS 153 “This gentleman insists upon seeing your lordship. He would take no excuse, and indeed he has even thought fit to follow me hither,’’ and as Brockman thus spoke, he looked around toward some one behind. ‘“ Ah!” ejaculated the marquis, an expression of bitter annoyance and deep misgiving suddenly appearing upon his countenance, as he beheld Sir Douglas Huntingdon advancing along the passage leading from the principal landing to the portal of the Gilded Saloon. | ‘““My dear marquis,” said the baronet, in a friendly, or, indeed, with the familiar manner of former times, ‘‘ I wished most particularly to speak to you, and knowing that I am at all times welcome, I persisted in making Brockman introduce me hither. He is a very excellent servant, I know, and therefore I forgive him the little impertinence implied in the supercilious manner with which he spoke of me as this gentleman, — just for all the world as if he did not know me as well as his own master.” “But, my dear Huntingdon,” said Lord Leveson, in a tone of remonstrance, ‘“‘ I am engaged, delicately engaged, at this moment.” ‘Not too delicately to receive an old friend like me,”’ returned the baronet, and, without more ado, he walked straight into the Gilded Saloon. The marquis, who saw some evil intent lurking beneath the affected good-humour of Sir Douglas Huntingdon, made a sign for the valet to withdraw, and closing the door again, he turned with deep anxiety toward Venetia, to ascertain by her proceedings whether this intrusion was a prearranged scheme between the intruder and herself. ‘“ My lord,’’ said the baronet, now suddenly throwing off the mask of familiarity which he had worn in the presence of the valet for the purpose of preventing that menial from suspecting that anything extraordinary was in progress, ‘my lord,’ he said, adopting a stern and imperious tone, “you will have the kindness to request the attendance of your niece, Lady Ernestina Dysart.” ‘“My niece! — and wherefore?’ exclaimed the marquis, as much in amazement as in anger. “ Because I wish to say a few words in her ladyship’s presence,’ rejoined the baronet, with the tone and look of CoOnniclooolkks (C(O)