The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 384: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWO NEIGHBOURING HOUSES 309 impertinently into your Grace’s reasons and objects, pardon me for expressing a hope that no evil consequences will redound to myself.”’ ‘I will take care of that,’’ answered the duke. “ When will these dresses be ready? ” _ “ Her Grace tells me, my lord, that you are all going into the country the day after to-morrow, and the dresses which her Grace has ordered must consequently be sent home to-morrow night.”’ ‘“ And when can the counterparts be in readiness? ”’ in- quired Marchmont. ‘It will take a good week, my lord — ”’ ‘“‘ A week? nonsense! ”’ ejaculated Marchmont. “‘T cannot possibly get them done in less time. Say on the sixth evening hence,’ added Madame Angelique, after a little reflection. “Very good,” replied the duke; “ that must suf-, fice.”’ “They shall be positively at Marchmont House by nine o’clock on the day named — ”’ ‘““No, you must not send them direct to Marchmont House,” exclaimed the duke; “ that will never do. There must be no trace— But how can it be managed? ”’ ‘“‘ Shall I forward the dresses in a box to Oaklands, my lord? ’’ asked the milliner. ‘A box so light as that will be with nothing but woman’s trumpery in it would seem suspicious if addressed to me. And then, too, it is absolutely necessary for my purpose that there should exist no possible clue— Ah, I recollect, I have an unsophisticated, unsuspicious, docile, and obedi- ent young man in my service. Let me see? this is Wednes- day. Well, on Tuesday evening next, at nine o’clock, this young man shall be in a cab at the door, and you must have the dresses delivered to him in a box by one of your most confidential women.” “They are all confidential, my lord,’ responded Madame Angelique, ‘‘ or else I should not have been able to sustain my establishment unsuspected as I have done for so many years.” “ Well, let this be the arrangement, then,’ resumed Marchmont. ‘‘ At the hour and on the evening just agreed to, the name of Christian Ashton will be sent in to you, and com (@) Dooks (E(O)