The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 322: what you’re looking at

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

CHRISTIAN’S FIRST DAY 291 would be an agreeable thing if this twelve thousand pounds were not merely forgiven you, but that a like sum were handed over to you as a testimonial of my esteem — all private, secret, and confidential, you know, and entirely between ourselves.” “It must be a tremendous service which your Grace demands for such a colossal reward,” and Stanhope spoke gravely and seriously. ‘“TIt is an immense service which you will be rendering me,’ replied the duke, ‘‘ but one which you can perform with few scruples of conscience; while, on the other hand, there is great éclat to be obtained thereby.”’ “I am as completely in the dark with respect to your Grace’s meaning,’ said Mr. Stanhope, ‘‘as I amin the place where we are now talking. Can you not come to the point? Frankly speaking, I infinitely dislike this round- about manner which your Grace is adopting — ”’ _“ Then, in a few words,” interrupted the duke, “I will explain myself. You are to become intimate with me, you are to pay your court, as I have already said, to the duchess, you will be a constant visitor here, you will literally besiege her Grace. Then the world will begin to talk. No matter! I shall see nothing that is going on, and if the world choose to consider me blind, be it so. But at length I shall awaken all of a sudden, something will occur to fill me with suspicion — an intercepted letter, for instance, — a letter, you comprehend, from yourself to her Grace, — in which you will speak of the love subsisting between you. Ay, and you will even go farther, you will leave no doubt as to the criminal nature of that love — ”’ ‘But suppose that nothing of all this does really take place,” interrupted Stanhope. ‘‘ Suppose that her Grace conceives a hatred for me? ”’ ‘And very likely she will,” observed the duke, coolly, “but what has that got to do with your incessant visits, and with the letter which in a few months’ time you will write and which you will take care that I shall intercept? May I not play the part of a dishonoured and outraged husband? Will not you stand the brunt of an action for crim. con., when you know perfectly well that I shall never call upon you to pay such damages as may be awarded? And may | not, upon such foundation as the jury’s verdict affords, (COU (-) LOOKS (C(O)