The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 324: what you’re looking at

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

CHRISTIAN’S FIRST DAY 293 though very distant ones, in the lowest sphere, — think you, I ask, that it is agreeable for me to reflect that some such dirty claimant may arise when I am gone and prove his right to the coronet which I wear, the estates over which I now lord it, and the mansions which my taste has em- bellished? Now, Stanhope, have I given proofs of my sincerity in seeking a divorce from her who presents me with no heir? ”’ There was a profound silence in the library for upwards of a minute, at the expiration of which Mr. Stanhope slowly said, ‘‘ Yes, I now believe your Grace to be sincere.”’ ‘‘ Oh, it is well that I have succeeded in convincing you at last,’’ observed the duke. ‘‘T believe you sincere in wishing for an heir,’”’ continued Stanhope, ‘‘ but in the extreme measure which your Grace proposes — ”’ ‘That regards me,” interrupted the duke. “ It is for you to consider whether you will enter into my project, and carry it out in the way that I have suggested, or with such variations as circumstances may render advisable, always keeping the one grand aim in view.” “T will!’’ answered Stanhope. ‘“‘ Yes, my necessities compel me, I will do it.”’ ‘“‘ Then there is no more to be said at present,’’ observed the duke. ‘“ There is a light in the hall, we will repair to the dining-room. I cannot promise you a fire — ”’ ‘““ My blood,” interrupted Stanhope, ‘‘ has not yet cooled down from the terrific fever-heat produced by the excite- ment of the gaming-table. Let us have the bottle of wine; the fire may be dispensed with.” ‘“Come,’’ answered the duke, ‘“‘ we will have the wine.”’ Christian then heard the double doors of the library open; the light from the hall gleamed in for a moment, and showed him the two forms as they passed the threshold. Then the doors were closed again, and again was the youth entombed in utter darkness. But let us explain how it was that he had continued so silent and so still throughout this discourse which he had overheard. When first he became aware that voices were speaking in the library, he was seized, as we have stated, with a certain degree of alarm, and this he could not all in a moment shake off. Called out of his sleep in such a manner, (COU (-) LOOKS (E(O)