The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

74 REYNOLDS’ WORKS mistaken, she at the present moment bears the name of Mrs. Chandos.” ‘“ You are right, Sir John, you are right. Lady Saxondale and Marlow both told me the other day that Frank Paton, whom I placed with her ladyship, had found a sister in that woman. But do you know — ”’ ‘TI know that she is a female highwayman,” interrupted the baronet. ‘ Itis a most extraordinary thing that I should be staying at Dover when her adventure at the Admiral’s Head took place. I heard something of it at the time, but little thought that Mrs. Chandos—the heroine of that adventure — and our Elizabeth Paton were one and the same person. I do not read the local newspaper habitually, and therefore the account, which gave a full description of her personal appearance, escaped my notice. But yesterday I accidentally lighted upon the particular number of the Dover newspaper containing that report, and as I read on, I was struck with the conviction that Elizabeth Paton is Mrs. Chandos.”’ ‘“‘ And you are right,”’ responded Petersfield. ‘“ I have been told that she is Frank’s sister. But what of it? And what connection have her misdoings with any clue — ”’ “Who said that there was a connection? ’”’ interrupted the baronet. ‘‘ I tell you that she does possess a clue. You know that Villebelle has married Constance Farefield.’’ “Yes, I am aware of it,’”’ answered Lord Petersfield. “‘ In- deed, to tell you the truth, I delicately dropped to Lady Saxondale a hint, many months ago, that the marquis had a wife living. Of course I did not say how I knew it; I pretended to have heard some such thing rumoured when I was in Paris —”’ ‘‘ Well, but you see the marriage has taken place,” con- tinued Sir John Marston. ‘“‘ Elizabeth released Villebelle from all engagement toward her, from all bonds or ties — that is to say, so far as she was able. I should have stopped the marriage most effectually, had not Villebelle, when at Dover, whispered in my ear a certain name, which convinced me with startling effect that Elizabeth does possess a clue to past events that may prove dangerous enough for us ) ? , ‘“ And that clue?’”’ asked Lord Petersfield, all his diplo- matic reserve having given place to intense anxiety. ECORNIELOOOKS (EO)