The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

BERTRAM VIVIAN 63 you that for the last month or so both her father and myself were dreadfully nervous and uneasy —I mean the last month previous to the wedding. For a second letter came from Bertram. It was addressed to the captain at Oxford, as the former one was, and was sent on by the postmaster, with whom he had left an intimation whither his letters were to be forwarded.’’ ‘“Yes, to be sure; quite prudent,’ interjected Lord Clandon. ‘‘ But that second letter — ”’ “Tt came to say that Bertram’s love was as strong as ever,’ continued Mrs. Bailey; “‘ that the two years’ test imposed by Captain Lacey had nearly expired, and that close upon the heels of the letter itself, Bertram was coming by the next ship to claim Eliza as his bride. Well, I certainly had some little difficulty in preventing the captain from revealing everything to his daughter, but he was soon argued out of his foolishness, and so the match took place with the duke, your uncle.’’ ‘‘ And did you hear anything more of Bertram? Did he call in Grosvenor Square when he visited England? ’’ in- quired Lord Clandon. ‘No, nothing of the sort,’’ answered Mrs. Bailey, “‘ and I was very glad of it. Why should I have borne the brunt of his wild ravings? I suppose he saw the account of the marriage in the newspapers, and so the tale was told. It is very unfortunate he should have taken it into his head to come to Oaklands. For my part, I think he had better have stayed away. However, it is impossible, considering all things, that he and the duchess can behave to each other in a different way than what they do; and since he has chosen to come hither, I think their conduct is highly creditable to both. What I fear is that it may lead to some suspicion on the duke’s part — ”’ “You believe, then,” interrupted Lord Clandon, “‘ that my uncle is totally ignorant of the former acquaintance and of the love between Eliza and Bertram? ”’ “Oh, I am certain of it,’”’ exclaimed Mrs. Bailey. ‘“ Eliza positively assured her father, within an hour after the wed- ding, that never from her lips should her husband hear of the past, nor from her conduct be led to suspect that her heart was not his. Andnow, my lord, that I have told you the secret, what course do you consider it prudent to suggest? ”’ EONMICLIOOKS (E(O)