The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 316: what you’re looking at

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

THE MASKED BALL 283 We will therefore simply observe that the utmost gaiety and good-humour seemed to prevail, the masques fulfilled their assumed characters to general satisfaction, the splen- did band that was in attendance poured forth its glorious strains through the saloons which were flooded with lustre, rich perfumes loaded the air, and in the apartments where dancing took place this amusement was sustained with a more than ordinary spirit. It was about half-past eight o’clock when two elegantly dressed females, wearing masks upon their countenances, entered the conservatory which opened from the drawing- room. These were Editha and Gertrude. The reader may think it strange that a high-born countess should take her obscure abigail with her to such a scene, but be it remem- bered, in the first place, that Editha was very fond of Ger- trude; in the second place, that Gertrude was deeply in- terested in certain proceedings then going on, and most anxious to witness their results; and, thirdly, that Gertrude possessed a shape of perfect symmetry and was altogether a very genteel and indeed superior girl, so that when ele- gantly dressed, with gloved hands and her mischievous lady’s-maid-looking face more than half-concealed by a black mask, she had every appearance of one quite in her place and feeling perfectly at home amidst the brilliant throng at Lady Wenlock’s house. There was nobody else in the conservatory at the moment when Editha and Gertrude entered it. ‘The atmosphere was warm, and perfumed with the fragrance of hothouse flowers. Orange-trees, limes, and several plants from the tropics spread their bright foliage and displayed their green or golden fruit, thus cheating the imagination with the be- lief that summer reigned within those walls of glass, though winter was chill and hoar and icy without. ‘““ How well we managed to issue forth from the mansion without being observed by the earl,” said Editha to Gertrude. “Yes, my lady,’ was the response. ‘ His lordship had not left when we came away, but I have no doubt he means to come. Indeed, I am certain that by the frequent goings and comings of his confidential valet all the afternoon preparations were being made for his lordship to appear to-night in a fancy costume.” “Oh, if our stratagem should succeed thoroughly,” Gomicbooks (E(0)