The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 237: what you’re looking at

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

210 REYNOLDS’ WORKS pose of providing the sum of ten thousand pounds according to the arrangement already made. Adolphus remained absent for several hours, during which Ethel experienced some degree of anxiety, for she felt the necessity of the adoption of speedy measures in order to bring the crime completely home to Makepeace, and thus extricate herself from the power which the villain might otherwise still continue to wield with regard to her. It was between four and five in the afternoon when Adolphus returned to the mansion, and he was accompanied by his solicitor, Mr. Slater, who, it was intimated to the domestics, would re- main to dinner. Adolphus found an opportunity of speaking a few words to Ethel, conveying a brief outline of the plan which was to be adopted under existing circumstances; and then retiring to his own chamber for the purpose of changing his toilet, he desired his valet to bid Makepeace attend upon him at once. ‘“‘T find,” said the young earl, when Makepeace entered into his presence, — and it was with no small difficulty that Adolphus could keep a mask upon his countenance to con- ceal all that he inwardly felt in respect to the murderer, — “I find that by devoting a few hours’ attention to my pecuniary affairs I shall be enabled the first thing to-morrow morning to dispose of the sum which you require. I have no doubt you are as ready and willing as I myself am that this business should be settled with the least possible delay. Mr. Slater has brought all his papers with him, and after dinner I purpose to go over them with him. In any case, you may fully understand that early to-morrow morning, immediately after breakfast, you will receive the sum which you have demanded of me, and you will therefore at the same time fulfil your part of the compact by leaving the mansion the instant you have the money in your possession.” “It shall be so, my lord,”’ responded Makepeace, inwardly chuckling at ie idea that everything was going on so fa- vourably to his own mercenary views. _ On retiring from the presence of the young nobleman, Makepeace proceeded to ascertain where the countess was, in order that he might remind her of the appointment for the coming night, as he supposed it to be the last one which he would have to pass within those walls, and he was re- solved that Ethel should not escape from becoming the ECORMICLIOOKS (E(0)