The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 251: what you’re looking at

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

222 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘““T must now observe,’ resumed Mrs. Bredalbane, ‘“‘ that the hall porter and Mrs. Neale did not advance into the room at all, but the former remained for a few moments transfixed with horror upon the threshold, while the latter fled to raise the alarm that Sellis had committed suicide. Such was no doubt the impression made at the instant upon the woman’s mind. The hall porter, on regaining his self-possession, hurried away likewise to spread the same rumour, and Joux was left alone in the room where the fearful tragedy had taken place. Advancing nearer toward the couch, he observed a sheet of paper lying upon the floor. He picked it up. It was a half-finished letter in the handwriting of Sellis, and as Joux hastily ran his eyes over the first few lines, a tremendous secret was suddenly revealed to him. He understood it all. The excitement of Sellis and the ejaculation which had burst from his lips in the passage, yes, even this murder itself, all was explained. But footsteps were approaching, and Joux thrust the letter into his pocket. The next moment a sergeant and file of men, who had been fetched from the guard-house, made their appearance at the room door. The sergeant’s name was Creighton, and entering the chamber of death, he gazed in horror upon the scene. As he turned away, he observed the razor upon the floor, and picking it up, placed it upon the table. He then went out, followed by Joux, and the room was locked up. The guard retired, and Joux, hastening to the duke’s room, found that Sir Henry Halford and Mr. Home, the eminent medical practitioners, had arrived and were dressing his Royal Highness’s wounds, which they pronounced to be severe, but not mortal. Joux heard the account which the duke gave of the affair, and then hastened to shut himself up in his own room, to read the letter of which he had as yet only caught a glimpse of the few first lines. What his feelings were while perusing that letter, what his reflections were after he had read it, I shall not pause to explain now. You shall have an opportunity of judging presently, when I show you the letter itself.’ ‘‘'The letter itself! ’’ cried Lady Prescott, with a perfect thrill of astonishment in her accents. ‘Yes, the letter itself,’”’ repeated Mrs. Bredalbane, in a positive tone. ‘‘ You are not perhaps aware that Joux entered my service soon after the tragedy, and remained Gomichboo 6S (E(0)