The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 294: what you’re looking at

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

THE LATHAMS 277 into the extent of his wealth, — merely proved to her by his deeds that he was wealthy, and considered that sufficient, In respect to the mansion and the grounds, he certainly con- sulted her taste at times on a few minor matters, but always in a way that seemed to indicate that his own opinion was already settled on the subject. Nevertheless, if Anastatia happened to express a desire that anything particular should be done, her husband said nothing to her at the time, but the mandate immediately went forth from his lips to those whom it concerned, and the thing was done. ‘Toward Sir Frederick Anastatia was mild and gentle, because this was her nature; she was submissive without being servile, duteous without losing sight of her own proper dignity as a wile, As to the society they kept and the acquaintances they cher- ished, there could be no possible dispute between them, inas- much as none but men of known honour and probity were ever introduced by Sir Frederick, while Lady Anastatia courted only the pure and spotless of her own sex as her compan- ions. We may now resume the thread of our narrative. It was about three o’clock in the afternoon of that day of which we have been writing in the previous chapter, and Lady Anastatia Latham was seated by herself in a splendidly fur- nished apartment at Tudor House. Some visitresses had just taken their departure, and Anastatia was resuming some elegant fancy-work which she had temporarily laid aside. Presently the door opened, and a footman entered to present a note upon a massive silver salver. ‘Please your ladyship,”’ said the footman, “ the person who delivered this says that he will wait for your ladyship’s answer.” Anastatia opened the exquisitely folded, perfumed, pink- tinted billet which was thus handed to her, and she found the contents to run as follow: ‘““Madame Angelique, having retired from business, re- spectfully solicits the earliest convenient settlement of Lady Anastatia Latham’s account. The sum is £563, as per bill delivered. Madame Angelique begs to add that she has placed her outstanding accounts in the hands of Mr. Isaac Shadbolt, who is the bearer of this letter, and who will save her ladyship the trouble of sending to Madame Angelique’s villa at Brixton Hill by personally waiting on Lady Anas- Eomichboo CS (E(@)