The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 318: what you’re looking at

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

THE MASKED BALL 285 resealed it, and then allowed it to reach my hands, just as if it had never been tampered with at all. Therefore, believing that the earl had thus become aware of the appointment which you gave me for to-night, and that he would assume your character in order to ensnare me — ”’ ‘“ Ah! then this explains the mysterious billet which I received,’’ and as Lord Sackville uttered these words, he drew forth a note which he handed to Editha, who hastily scanned its contents, Gertrude peeping over her shoulder. It ran as follows: “Take warning! You propose to be at the masked ball to-night at Lady Wenlock’s, but a plot to assassinate you is on foot, and therefore prudence suggests that you should remain away, or, at all events, adopt some costume quite different from that which you originally proposed to wear. “A FRIEND.’’ “Yes, ‘tis clear enough,’’ whispered Gertrude to her mistress, in an exulting tone, “ the earl’s object was to keep his lordship ’’ — alluding to Lord Sackville — “ away from here this night. But the earl is signally defeated already, and will be completely humbled.”’ “Yes, provided the other person comes,’”’ added Editha; and she then explained to Lord Sackville the stratagem she had devised to expose her husband and turn the tables completely upon him. ‘“ And now,” she added, when the hurried details were over, “‘ let us return amongst the masked throng and ascertain whether the delectable earl has as yet made his appearance.” In the meantime the Earl of Curzon had arrived at the Mansion, apparelled in the fancy costume of a Cavalier of the olden time. He wore a doublet, buskins, a cap of a Greek shape, and a belt, and he had not omitted the long hair hanging down upon his shoulders. The reader need scarcely be informed that it was his hand which had penned the fictitious warning to Lord Sackville, whom he had indeed come thither to personate in the hope of meeting his wife and drawing her into such a conversation as would place her completely in his power. On entering the brilliantly lighted saloons, he mingled amongst the throng of masques, in the anxious expectation Gomicbooks (E(0)