The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

THE CONTENTS OF THE DESK 47 blossoms. Summer followed, to expand that verdure into a more brilliant green, and to prepare the boughs for the rich fruitage of autumn. It was in the beginning of Septem- ber, 1829, — exactly one year from the death of Captain Lacey, — that the Duke and Duchess of Marchmont re- turned to Oaklands. The duke had some reason to flatter himself that his hopes, when they set out upon their travels, had not been altogether unfulfilled. It was not that the colour had come back to Eliza’s cheeks, — that appeared to have gone for ever, — but as there was nought of insipid deadness in the purity of her complexion, her beauty was not marred, only rendered the more interesting. There are some forms which remain uninfluenced by the sorrow which lies deep in the heart; it is ever so when that sorrow exists al- ways the same, breaking not forth in sudden and violent ebullitions, to be succeeded by periods of exhaustion. These cause the wear and tear of the frame, but it is the former state which shows itself but little outwardly, and so it was with the Duchess of Marchmont. Her figure retained all its rounded contours, its rich proportions, its flowing outlines; splendour, elegance, and grace, blended with a touching interest as well as with a becoming dignity, rendered her a being of whom any husband might be proud. And the Duke of Marchmont was proud of his Eliza; he had seen her as much admired in Italy as she had been in England, and he now hoped that as England was reached again, she would mingle in the society which her rank and loveliness qualified her to adorn, and where she would shine as a star of matchless and sweetest beauty. The Duke of Marchmont’s arrangements were that they should remain at Oaklands throughout the autumn, until the Christmas season, when they would remove to the town mansion. His Grace was accustomed to submit to his wife’s approval whatsoever he projected; for to her only was he neither proud nor autocratic, and she on her side invariably gave her sweetly and softly expressed assent to all his pro- posals. But in order that the stay at Oaklands might not be dull nor monotonous, and in order that Eliza might again gradually glide into the gaieties of society, after a year of mourning for her father, the duke suggested that they should entertain a select circle of friends. Accordingly invitations were sent to Mrs. Bailey, to the Lomax family, and to half ¢om (@) DoOaks (E(O)