The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 348: what you’re looking at

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

THE FIVE THOUSAND GUINEAS 315 Gale’s that I overheard the conversation between Lenesas and the countess.” ‘Yes, yes,” observed Gertrude, impatiently, “it was concerning the forged bills. You were introduced into the house and placed in an adjacent room that night by Malpas himself.”’ ‘‘ And since then Malpas has doubtless heard, although he bein prison,” resumed the bill-broker, “ that I have visited at Lady Lechmere’s and have become to a certain degree intimate with Lady Curzon. Think you, then, that a cun- ning fellow like Malpas will not suspect how it was that I thus became a visitor at Lady Lechmere’s? Will he not put two and two together? Does he not know full well the services which Lady Lechmere has been in the habit of rendering the countess? And will he not now naturally suppose that I have been introduced thither in order that the same services may be rendered for the advantage of the countess and myself? Besides, if once his suspicions in that respect were aroused, he would have thought nothing of employing a spy to watch the movements of myself and Editha; or, intimate as he is with Mrs. Gale, he may have heard from her lips — ”’ “Yes, I see that there are a hundred ways in which Colonel Malpas may have been led to suspect your intimacy with her ladyship, and we will take it for granted that he does so. Now tell me precisely what it is he threatens.” ‘That he will apply to Lady Curzon to use her influence with me to liberate him, and if she will not consent, that he will expose her in every way, — ‘ and in more ways,’ he says, with a diabolical ambiguity, ‘than she dreams of.’ Now, then, you know the worst. What is to be done? ”’ ‘“ What is to be done? ”’ exclaimed Gertrude. ‘‘ How can you ask me such a question? There is but one course, and that is to stop his mouth by yielding instantaneous com- pliance with his demands. In a word, give him his liberty.” “Most assuredly, if your mistress shall desire it,’ said Emmerson. “ But recollect that by thus showing myself frightened at his menaces, I shall, as it were, be admitting that I myself have something to fear from his threatened exposure of her ladyship. He will be led to practise further extortions, he will become a tyrant over us — ”’ ‘““ It cannot be helped,” interrupted Gertrude, impatiently. CoOnnicloooks (C(O)