The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

60 THE COURT OF LONDON her caressingly on the cheek, ‘‘ and you are aware that there is nothing I will not do to serve you in return. Whenever you find a husband that will suit you,’’ added Editha, with a gay smile, “‘ I shall take care of your dowry.” “Oh, there is time enough to think of that,’ exclaimed Gertrude. ‘“‘ I do not wish to quit your ladyship’s service, even to be married.”’ ‘But you must not lend a willing ear to the idle flatteries of men,” said Editha. ‘‘ Wait till you are married, Ger- trude, and then you can do anything, gratifying every fantasy and yielding to every whim. But, in the meantime, prudence should lead you to be what the world calls virtu- ous. At all events,’ she added, with a gay laugh and with a look singularly full of wickedness and arch significance, ‘do not yield to the honeyed words of my husband.” “Oh, was not that farce an amusing one?” cried Ger- trude, bursting into a peal of the merriest laughter, while her own looks also expressed a roguish meaning. “ It was better than any play at a theatre. Such equivoques! But when will his lordship return home? ”’ ‘“T do not know exactly,” responded Editha. ‘‘ In a few days, | presume. He told me that he was going to France on some sudden and pressing business. Whether it be true or not, I cannot say. But ’tis now nine o’clock, and I must be off to Lady Lechmere’s.”’ The countess thereupon issued forth yee her boudoir, and descended the stairs with the splendid ermine cloak flowing loosely around her. When at the bottom of the staircase she looked up; and perceiving that Gertrude was leaning over the balusters of the landing above, Editha gave the abigail a parting look of deep meaning, which was responded to by one of equally vivid intelligence. Lady Curzon then entered the carriage, and was driven to Lady Lechmere’s abode in North Audley Street. The brilliant saloons of this mansion were already crowded when Editha made her appearance; but amongst all the blaze of beauty and fashion there assembled no female scion of the aristocracy was more remarkable for the loveliness of her person and the elegance of her attire than Lady Curzon. Immediately on entering, she was surrounded by a host of admirers; and assuredly that was a moment of proud triumph for the charming patrician lady, to per- CORNICE OOoOKS (E(@)