The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 364: what you’re looking at

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

THE LISTENER dodo “Travers? ” said Mr. Redcliffe. ‘Yes, and it would appear,’ continued Christian, “‘ that this was the name which Mr. Armytage formerly bore, when he was not so high up in the world.”’ Mr. Redcliffe reflected profoundly for some minutes, and at length he said, with an abruptness which he often displayed, ‘“‘ No, Christian Ashton, you have not done wrong in listening to what took place with those persons. Continue to watch the duke’s movements, gather up whatso- ever you may hear passing around you at Marchmont House, store all words and facts in your memory, no matter how trivial they may at the moment appear, and from time to time make your report to me. Rest assured that we will baffle the conspirators, and that the injured duchess shall issue triumphant from amidst the perils which environ her. You will then have done a noble deed, and for whatsoever trouble it may have cost you, you will experience an amplé reward in the luxury of your own feelings.” ‘Rest assured, sir,’’ answered Christian, ‘‘ that I shall follow your advice in all things. Ah! I ought to have mentioned that it is rumoured in the household that we are all going down to the duke’s Hampshire estate of Oak- lands in a few days, to remain there until the opening of Parliament in February.” ‘“ And perhaps Mr. Stanhope will be of the party,’’ ob- served Redcliffe. ‘‘ This is no doubt a portion of the plot, — a cunning device for the purpose of throwing the villain Stanhope and the duchess more frequently together. You must let me know when the day of departure is fixed.’’ ‘““ Ah, sir,’ Christian remarked, ‘“‘ the name of Oaklands must be memorable in the Marchmont family, and ominous for the welfare of the duchess.”’ “ What do you mean? ” inquired Redcliffe. “Have you never heard, sir, of the dreadful tragedy which took place there, about eighteen years ago, and in which the name of a Duchess of Marchmont was so pain- fully mixed up? I was reading about it the other eve- ning — ”’ ‘ But we must take care,” said Redcliffe, with that abrupt- ness which we have before noticed as being to a certain degree characteristic of him, ‘‘ that another duchess shall not be painfully associated with the name of Oaklands. COUN a LOOKS (GO)