The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

THE DUCHESS OF MARCHMONT 39 confess that little wildness on my part. When it is gone and past, one may talk of it. Bertram was more sentimental and serious than I — ”’ At this moment the duchess dropped her handkerchief, which Lord Clandon hastened to pick up for her. It had fallen from her hand, as a faintness coming over her made her fair fingers relax their hold upon it. Within the last few minutes the name of Bertram had been mentioned half a dozen times in her hearing; it would have been sufficient for this mere mention to agitate her profoundly, but when she heard the name — that sacred, loved, lamented name — thrown forth from the lips with what appeared to be the mingled levity and callousness of one who, although his brother, could yet speak of him as if the recollection of his loss were unaccompanied with a single regret, it was sufficient to overwhelm all Eliza’s fortitude in a moment and make her sink down beneath the influence of her excruciated feelings. Again, however, did a species of preterhuman self-possession come to her aid; the little incident of the handkerchief startled her into a vivid consciousness of the peculiarities and perils of her position, and her countenance was serene once more. Lord Clandon was already continuing the same topic, when Sir William Lomax advanced with his wonted stiff stateliness of manner, and with his eyes half-closed, — for he thought that this appearance gave him an air of intellect- ual consequence, — and joining in the conversation, he turned it upon another topic. But all of a sudden the door opened somewhat hastily, — hastily enough to startle the inmates of the room, and to stop the music which a piano was sending forth beneath the fingers of a young lady. It was Mrs. Bailey who made her appearance, and hasten- ing up to the duchess, with a look of ill-subdued agita- tion, she said, “‘ Do not be frightened — pray do not be frightened. We hope it is nothing, but your Grace’s father — ” ‘“ My father? ” echoed Eliza, starting up to her feet in sud- den terror. “Pray do not be frightened. It is but a slight fit, and fortunately, Doctor Rodney being one of the guests — ” The duchess waited to hear no more; she rushed wildly (EONMICLIOO KS (E(O)