The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

6Sr REYNOLDS’ WORKS way toward the mansion, which they reached just as Sir William Lomax’s travelling chariot drove around to the front entrance. ‘The duchess and the other guests, including Bertram, came forth from the hall to see the Lomaxes off, and the farewells being said, the chariot drove away with Sir William and his family. Those who remained behind lingered upon the steps in conversation for a little while, when the duke abruptly said, “‘ I forgot to tell you all that the new fountain has commenced playing this morning at the end of the lower terrace. Come, let us go and witness it. Clandon, give your arm to Miss Anstruther; Bertram, take you charge of the duchess; Mrs. Bailey, permit me to be your escort.”’ Bertram Vivian could not possibly refuse an injunction so positively delivered; Eliza, on the other hand, could not decline the offer of his arm. The duke flung a quick glance of satisfied triumph at his elder nephew, as much as to bid him observe how dexterously he had taken the first step in following his counsel, and the procession of ladies and gentle- men, consisting of pairs, moved away from the mansion. The feather rests not more lightly upon the ground from which the slightest breath of the zephyr may lift it, than did Eliza’s hand on the arm of Bertram Vivian. They led the way toward the fountain, and Bertram’s conversation was confined to topics of the veriest indifference, Eliza only answering in monosyllables. The fountain was reached; it was flinging up its jet of water high into the air, and opinions of approval were generally pronounced. ‘“ Now,” said the duke, ‘‘ let us ramble without restraint about the grounds. The weather is too charmingly fine not to be taken advantage of. Bertram, I do not think you have seen the grapery, and I recollect that the duchess was speak- ing of it this morning. You go thither. Mrs. Bailey, I promised to show you my golden pheasants; they are in this direction.”’ The party, consisting of pairs, as already said, separated from the vicinage of the fountain, and thus broke up as it were, each couple sauntering into the path which struck the fancy at the moment, — all but Bertram and Eliza, and they remained riveted near the fountain, each a prey to a deep inward agitation. But they were now alone together. Gomichbooks (E(0)