The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

158 THE COURT OF LONDON “No such thing!’’ exclaimed the marquis, thinking to himself that if the baronet’s scheme went no further than this it was not a very formidable one, after all. “ For, look you, and understand the matter well,’ he continued, his tone and manner becoming more exultant as he con- tinued. ‘‘ The things that I know concerning Lady Sack- ville may be proclaimed without causing any injury to redound upon myself. But this is not the case with her. Let her go and tell that I possess this suite of rooms, explain all the mysteries of that gallery yonder, and she will be confessing that she has visited this museum of exquisite indelicacies and refined immoralities. Tell the tale of the mechanical chairs, say that Lady Sackville herself has been caught in one, and that Louisa Stanley has been similarly ensnared, and will the reputation of either lady be enhanced by proclaiming the fact that they have ever set foot within these rooms? No, for their own sake this tale will be kept quiet. Then, as for the affair of Ariadne Varian, I do not exactly know in what relation the girl may stand to you, sir Dougias, but I think that if she possess the feelings of delicacy for which you have given her credit in my hearing, she will not thank you for making her history a common topic and herself the theme of general discourse. Therefore, all the secrets which you know concerning me are secrets which neither you, Sir Douglas, nor you, Lady Sackville, will choose to proclaim aloud, for your own sakes, and for the sake of those in whom you are interested.”’ “You therefore believe, my lord,’’ said Huntingdon, ‘that you stand on the vantage-ground and that you can dictate your own terms to Lady Sackville?’’ and as the baronet thus spoke, his lip curled with a smile of defiance. ‘““T do believe that I stand upon that vantage-ground,”’ replied the Marquis of Leveson, observing the smile, and not exactly liking it. ‘ Have you anything more to say? ”’ ‘“Yes, you force me into further explanations,” rejoined the baronet. ‘“‘ Have you any regard for your niece, Lady Tirnestina? And has her ladyship no secrets which she would be sorry to have revealed? ”’ “Tis a manly proceeding,’’ exclaimed Ernestina, her cheeks flushing and her eyes darting fire, ‘‘ for you to make war upon me.”’ ‘“‘ Tt is not I who make war upon your ladyship,’’ answered CORnnicloookxs (E(@)