The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

BERTRAM VIVIAN 55 content and annoyance on the marriage which his uncle had contracted, and that the duchess, perceiving this conduct on his part, resented it in a dignified and becoming manner. When the ladies had retired, the duke, not wishing to judge his nephew hastily, but at the same time feeling it incumbent upon him to take some little notice, if only by barest allusion, of a tenor of conduct which every one had perceived, motioned him to bring his glass and come and sit next to him. Bertram obeyed with an alacrity which, trifling though the incident were, displayed a most willing obedience, and scarcely was he seated by the duke’s side, when he said, in an earnest manner, ‘“ Accept my sincerest thanks, dear uncle, for the handsome addition you have so continuously made to my own restricted income. I have endeavoured to render myself worthy of your generosity. And now, scarcely am I beneath your roof when you make me offers of which any young man ought to be proud. I never will, I never can forget your goodness. God forbid that I ever should,” and it was with the sudden impulsiveness of a naturally fervid nature that Bertram took his uncle’s hand and pressed it warmly in his own. The duke for an instant gazed upon him in wonderment as he said to himself, “‘ Is it possible that Bertram is a vile hypocrite, that in his heart he detests my marriage, that he is not altogether able to conceal his sentiments from my wife, but that, fearing he has gone too far, he now seeks to propitiate and conciliate me? ”’ Yet there was nothing in the young man’s countenance, nothing in the honest frankness with which his dark clear eyes encountered his uncle’s looks, to justify those suspicions. The duke was bewildered, and Bertram went on speaking. “You asked me,” he said, “‘ if I would like to enter Parlia- ment, but I have no wish to remain in England.’ English habits and tastes do not suit one who has been upwards of three years abroad. Besides,’ added Bertram, quickly, ‘“my views are entirely cast in the diplomatic sphere, and therein, dear uncle, do I solicit your interest. Believe me, I am in haste to get abroad again, no matter to what part of the world. I deemed it my bounden duty to come to Oaklands to pay my respects to you, to assure your Grace of my gratitude, and to congratulate you on the happiness which you evidently enjoy. ”’ (Q) - com Dooks (E(O)