The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

THE WITNESS 159 the baronet. ‘‘ It is Lady Sackville who is availing herself of all the weapons of defence with which circumstances have armed her against the Marquis of Leveson. And therefore, if his lordship have really no regard for you, Lady Ernestina, he may indeed perhaps occupy the vantage-ground in respect to Lady Sackville; but if, on the other hand, his lordship has any regard for the reputation and honour of his niece — ”’ “ But what know you of Lady Ernestina? ’’ demanded Lord Leveson, hastily, — “‘ that she appeared to be placed in a somewhat suspicious position with regard to Louisa Stanley — ”’ “Certainly that is one fact, my lord,’’ exclaimed the baronet, “‘ but it is nothing, absolutely nothing, it sinks into utter contempt, in comparison with the part which Lady Ernestina played in sending her own husband to the scaffold.” — A shriek thrilled from the lips of Ernestina, while the Marquis of Leveson started as if suddenly galvanized, and a smile of exultation and gratified revenge lighted up the countenance of Venetia. “Ah! now you perceive that I am indeed acquainted with secrets of a tremendous import,’’ continued the baronet, glancing from the startled nobleman to his horror-stricken niece, who sat, pale and trembling, upon the sofa, gasping for breath, and with her eyes staring wildly, “and now perhaps it can be understood wherefore I deemed it proper, or, at all events, expedient, for Lady Ernestina Dysart to be present on this occasion. And if you ask me why I chose this apartment as the scene of our discussion, let me remind her ladyship that it belongs to the suite in which a compact was entered into by herself, a certain personage who shall be nameless, and a man holding a fearful and a dreaded office, — a compact in virtue of which the late Paul Dysart was cheated by false hope until the very last instant. There- fore, aS the public executioner himself is no stranger to the mysteries and the infamies of this suite of apartments, surely the scene of such atrocities, such devilries, and such abominations as these rooms have witnessed is the most fitting for such a debate as the present.” At this moment a shadow darkened the threshold com- municating with the next room, and Daniel Coffin made his appearance. connicloooks (C(O)