The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

64 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘These revelations, my dear Mrs. Bailey,’’ responded Hugh, ‘‘ have come upon me with such startling suddenness that I am unable in a moment to proffer an opinion. I will tell you in a few days what I think ought to be done. Perhaps I may speak privately to my brother, worm out of him the history of his love, and then advise him to absent himself from a place where his presence is dangerous.” “Tn any case, my lord, do not compromise me,” said Mrs. Bailey. ‘‘ The Honourable Mr. Bertram Vivian is civil and polite enough to me, — for of course he cannot suspect that I had anything to do in leading Eliza to jilt him, — and I do not want to be brought into collision with anybody.”’ ‘““ Rest assured, my dear Mrs. Bailey,” rejoined Lord Clandon, ‘‘ that I will manage the matter with as much tact and delicacy as if it were you yourself who had the conduct of 1b” ‘“T rely upon your lordship,” said the foolish woman, who did not reflect that she had been avowing to the very indi- vidual most interested in the duke’s remaining unmarried the schemes and stratagems to which she had been a party in order to bring about that alliance between his Grace and Eliza. | Having escorted Mrs. Bailey back to the mansion, Lord Clandon sauntered forth again into the grounds, to reflect upon all that he had just heard. Presently he beheld his uncle approaching along a shady avenue, accompanied by a large favourite bull-mastiff answering to the name of Pluto. His Grace was walking slowly, with the air of one in deep preoccupation. The mystery of the scene which was con- stantly before his eyes was bewildering him more and more, and he saw no issue thence by any feasible means. ‘Ah, my dear uncle!” said Clandon. ‘“ What, walking alone? Where are all the guests? ”’ ‘“‘ The Lomaxes are getting ready for departure,’’ responded the duke. ‘‘ In fact, I don’t wonder that they should have abridged their visit — ”’ Then stopping short, he suddenly stooped down to caress his dog, in order to hide his vexation. ‘‘ What mean you, my dear uncle?”’ inquired Clandon, as if with an air of perfect surprise. ‘‘T mean, Hugh,’’ responded the duke, suddenly turning his looks fixedly upon his nephew’s countenance, “ that there Gomicbooks (E(0)