The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

THE CONTENTS OF THE DESK 49 together in the drawing-room, for it so happened that all the suests were out riding or walking in the grounds, enjoying the beauty of that autumnal season. A very close observer — if such a one had been present — might have noticed that the cheeks of the duchess were paler than even their wont, — paler because that animation of the complexion which had survived the fading of the natural carnation tint was tempo- rarily deadened into a complete whiteness. And such an observer, too, would perchance have seen that there was a strange light in the large dark eyes. The duke, however, perceived not all this, for Eliza seemed busily occupied in the contemplation of a number of magnificent prints which one of the guests had brought from London a day or two pre- viously. The duke was standing in one of the bay-windows of the drawing-room, which commanded a view of the car- riage road, for he was in expectation of the promised arrival. It was about four o’clock on this particular afternoon that a post-chaise dashed up to the grand entrance of Oaklands, and the duke exclaimed, “‘ Here heis! More than three years have elapsed since last I saw him.” Eliza remained occupied with the prints, but turning them Over more rapidly than at first. The duke went on making observations relative to the individual who had just arrived, but it scarcely seemed as if the duchess heard them, for she gave no response. In a few minutes footsteps were heard approaching the door; that door was thrown open, and a domestic announced, ‘‘ The Honourable Mr. Bertram Vivian.” | e¢oMm (@) LOVOKOL KS (E(O)