The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XVIII ANOTHER SCENE AT LEVESON HOUSE Wuen the Hangman, Sir Douglas Huntingdon, and Lady Sackville had quitted the room where the strange and exciting discussion took place, Ernestina slowly withdrew her hands from her countenance and rose from her seat. She was pale, deadly pale, and there was a sort of staggering in her gait, asif she experienced a vertigo or was tottering under a load of sorrows too heavy to endure. ‘“ Well, Ernestina, it might have been worse,’’ said Lord Leveson. “ Pray, therefore, console yourself.” ‘‘ Good heavens! how can you ask me to console myself? ”’ murmured his niece, in a hollow tone, ‘‘ when you perceive that this tremendous secret of mine is already known where it ought not to be, and who can say how widely it may be repeated again? ”’ ‘‘ Tt is no use to anticipate the worst,’’ said the marquis, ‘or to go forward to meet misfortunes, as if they did not advance upon us quick enough of their own accord. It is tolerably clear that the villain Coffin has whispered the tale to the baronet, who has availed himself of it to coerce me into terms on the present occasion,’’ he added, in a tone of bitter vexation. ‘‘ Yes, it must be as you say,” rejoined Ernestina. ‘“ But it is horrible, horrible, to be in the power of that dreadful man.” ‘“ Horrible indeed! ’’ echoed the marquis. ‘‘ But how the deuce could he possibly have gained admission into the house? How concealed himself in these rooms? ”’ ‘An accomplished villain such as he,” replied Ernestina, ‘‘ can insinuate himself anywhere.” “ Ah! I see that I must make a complete garrison of the 164 Gomicbdooks (E(0)