The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 317: what you’re looking at

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

284 THE COURT OF LONDON whispered Editha, ‘‘ how amusing, how exquisite it will be! By the bye, when we left the house just now and entered the carriage, even if the earl were peeping, he could not have seen how we were dressed, as we were both enveloped in those great thick cloaks and had the black veils thrown over our heads.” ‘Must he not have wondered,’’ asked Gertrude, ‘‘ suppos- ing that he did see us go out, who on earth your lady- ship was taking with you? Or do you suppose he would suspect that your companion was none other than my- self? ”’ “No,” responded Editha. ‘“‘ If he saw us at all and thought anything upon the subject, he would suppose that I had invited some female friend of mine to accompany me. But hush! hither comes a masque exactly of Lord Sackville’s height, symmetry, and gait.” As the countess spoke these words, a gentleman wearing a mask entered the conservatory, and instantaneously accosting Editha, he whispered, ‘‘ Dearest lady, I recognize you by your costume,” and slightly raising his mask, he disclosed the features of Lord Sackville. ‘‘ Let us step aside, Horace, for a moment,” said Editha, and taking his arm, she continued to observe, in a low and tender tone, ‘“‘ I am delighted to meet you again.” ‘“ And I, Editha, what must be my feelings? ’”’ murmured Sackville, who was over head and ears in love with the beauteous but profligate patrician lady, and through the holes in their masks their eyes flashed mingled love, tender- ness, and desire. They had passed farther into the conservatory, accom- panied by Gertrude, who walked by the side of her mistress, and when reaching the corner most remote from the draw- ing-room door, they stood for a few minutes to converse in rapid whispers. “Tell me all that has transpired,” said Lord Sackville, “and to what circumstances you alluded in your note. For about the same time it arrived did I receive another intimation warning me as to this night’s costume; but though indirectly intended to excite my fears, 1t nevertheless only stirred up my curiosity.”’ ‘““T have every reason to believe,’ answered Editha, quickly, “‘ that the earl intercepted your letter, read it, GEomicboo cS (E(0) m