The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

110 REYNOLDS’ WORKS Then he questioned the domestics, one after the other, as to the particular neighbourhoods in which they had been, and it resulted that there was a little hamlet about two miles distant which was left unvisited. ‘“Thither will I go,” said the duke, hope appearing upon his countenance. Several of the domestics volunteered to accompany his Grace; while all the others proposed to set off again and renew the search. “No,” said the duke, thanking them all with a look, ‘‘ you have done enough for to-night. It is my will that you retire to your chambers and seek the rest of which you all stand so much in need. If the morrow should dawn and no good intelligence have been in the interval obtained, we will adopt other means to accomplish our purpose. Go you therefore to your rooms.” ‘‘ And you, my lord,” interjected several voices, ‘‘ stand in need of rest.”’ ‘No,’ responded the duke, ‘‘ I could not sleep, even if I sought my couch. I will go forth again. It is I who, alas! have done the mischief; it is my duty to effect its earliest reparation. Retire.”’ ‘‘ Lord Clandon is sitting up,”’ suggested one of the serv- ants. ‘ Shall Il inform his lordship that your Grace is here? ”’ ‘““ No,’ responded the duke, imperatively, “‘I have not time for further discourse. Retire to your chambers, I say, and I will go forth alone.”’ As he thus spoke, the duke waved his hand in a manner which showed that he meant to be obeyed, though his looks again expressed thankfulness for the sympathy exhibited by his dependents. He went forth, and while the servants for the most part repaired at once to their chambers, others proceeded to secure the doors and shutters previously to seeking their own rooms, while Travers hastened to inform his master, Lord Clandon, of all that the duke had said, for Travers was present in the hall during the brief scene which we have just described. ‘‘ His Grace should have suffered me to accompany him,” exclaimed Lord Clandon; ‘‘ he will weary himself to a degree that may bring on illness. But as it is, I shall retire to rest, and see that you call me early, Travers, so that I may get on horseback and renew the search after the duchess.”’ GoOmMmiicdbooks (E(0)