The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 394: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXVIII COVENT GARDEN Ow the following day Christian Ashton was engaged, as usual, in the forenoon, attending to his ducal employer’s correspondence, and when it was terminated, he rose to withdraw from the library, but Marchmont said, ‘“ Sit down again, Christian; I wish to speak to you.” The youth resumed his chair, and prepared to listen at- tentively to whatsoever might be addressed to him. ‘““T think, Christian,’’ continued his Grace, “‘ that you are happy and comfortable in your present situation, and that inasmuch as your welfare is looked after by me, you yourself are willing and anxious to give me every possible satisfac- tion.” “It is my duty, so long as I eat your Grace’s bread,”’ re- sponded the youth, thus avoiding the necessity of telling a falsehood by the assertion that he was happy in the duke’s employment. | “‘T expected no less from your lips,’’ continued March- mont. ‘“ There is a little service which you will have to render me. To-morrow I go with her Grace to Oaklands, but you will not follow until the early part of next week. You will thus have a little holiday, and plenty of oppor- tunities to see your charming sister. Next Tuesday night at nine o’clock you will take a cab and repair to a particular address, which is written on this card,” at the same time presenting one. ‘‘ You will merely knock at the door and send in your own name. A large box will be given to you, of which you must take particular care. It contains things which I design as presents, and the truth is I wish to sur- prise those for whom the gifts are destined; hence this little degree of mystery which I am observing on the point. 359 J Gomichbooks (E(O)