The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

BERTRAM VIVIAN 67 her hand nor spoke a single syllable, till I prompted her to do both. I fear me that Eliza was to blame after all. ”’ ‘You see therefore, dear uncle, that Bertram has meas- ured his own demeanour by that of the duchess. Her Grace received him frigidly, as you have just explained to me. Now, Bertram has his pride as well as his sensitiveness — ”’ ““T understand it all,’’ exclaimed the duke. “ Idiot that I was, not to comprehend it before. Of course, it was natural enough. Bertram thought himself slighted. He came with enthusiastic feelings of kindness toward us both, and at the very first instant of his encounter with the duchess, those feel- ings were chilled within him. After so cold a reception, it was clearly for her, as the mistress of the mansion, to make amends by the increasing cordiality of her demeanour. She has been cold, she has been inhospitable, and Bertram’s sensitiveness has shrunk from so much glacial reserve. Truly, Eliza has been to blame, and poor Bertram is to be pitied. I will go at once and speak my mind to the duchess.” ‘Not so, dear uncle,’’ exclaimed Lord Clandon, holding the duke back. ‘ You have condescended to listen to my mode of reading the mystery — ”’ ‘You are as clear-headed, Hugh, as you are generous- hearted,” cried the duke. ‘‘ Proceed! I will be guided by your counsel,” ‘ If I were you,” continued Clandon, “‘ I would say nothing to the duchess in the form of upbraiding; I would not even suffer her Grace to perceive that you understand the reason of Bertram’s conduct, or that you attribute it to a prideful sensitiveness at her Grace’s coldness. But this is what I would do: I would take opportunities to throw her Grace and Bertram more together, so that while the former will be forced to unbend, the latter will be compelled to take such unbending as an atonement for past inhospitality. It were a pity that there should be any differences in a family within the circle of which all the elements of happiness and good-fellowship are comprised.”’ es Right, my dear nephew,” exclaimed the duke; “ your counsel is admirable, and it shall be adopted. I will go at once and see what can be done. By the bye, the Lomaxes are about to take their departure; let us hasten to bid them farewell.”’ The duke and Lord Clandon accordingly retraced Suir EONMIENOO KS (E(0)