The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 386: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWO NEIGHBOURING HOUSES 300 ” Them? ” cried the duke. ‘‘ You speak of more than one.’ ‘“T speak of two, my lord,” answered Madame Angelique. ‘It is just this: in a certain suburb of London there lives an Eastern lady of the most ravishing beauty, and she has in her household a Hindu woman as grandly handsome as herself, though of a different style. I have seen them both. They ride out occasionally in a carriage in their own neigh- bourhood, though for the most part they live quietly and unostentatiously, and what on earth they are doing in Eng- land, I cannot tell. The worst of it is, there are English servants in the establishment — ”’ “The best of it, you mean,” ejaculated the duke, ‘ be- cause you can easily bribe those English servants to your purposes.” ‘““T fear not, my lord. My confidential agent,’ continued Madame Angelique, ‘“‘ who first told me of these rare Oriental exotics, endeavoured to sound the steward or butler, or whatever he is, and he met with such a cold reception that it would not do to attempt anything farther through those means. Not that I despair of getting these Orientals by some means or another into my power, only of course I should run a great risk — ”’ ‘Which is as much as to give me to understand,” inter- rupted Marchmont, with a smile, “‘ that the reward must be commensurate. Well, my dear Madame Angelique, do not speak a syllable upon this subject to any others of your patrons, but prosecute your inquiries, prepare your plans, spread your nets, and wait till I return from Oaklands. You know that I can be liberal — ” “ Your Grace’s commands in this respect, as in all others, shall be paramount with me.”’ “ Ah, by the bye,” said the duke, ‘“‘ I had better give you a trifle on account of the affair of the dresses. How much have you there? ”’ he asked, as he tossed a handful of bank- notes into the milliner’s lap. “Two hundred pounds exactly, my lord,’’ was the re- sponse. “ My best gratitude — ”’ “Oh, never mind the gratitude,” cried Marchmont. ““ And now good night. I am going to pass a few hours with the young ladies. I have ordered champagne and other refreshments — ” ¢om (@) IDooks (E(O)