The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 318: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXYV THE MILLINER AND THE DUKE Tue duke, whose countenance was pale and careworn, and who by his looks had evidently suffered much of late, en- deavoured to put on the smile of gracious affability as he entered the luxurious apartment where Madame Angelique was seated. It occurred to him that she bowed somewhat more distantly than was her wont, or at least with an air of greater independence, if not actually commingled with cold- ness. ‘He threw himself upon a seat, glanced at her for a moment, as if to assure himself whether there were really any studied change in her manner, and then he said, ‘‘ Well, my able friend, assistant, and accomplice, have you thought of any fresh project? ”’ ‘““T have just decided, my lord,’”’ responded Madame An- gelique, ‘‘ upon a most serious and important one.”’ ‘“ Indeed! ’’ ejaculated the duke, eagerly. ‘‘ And it is this that gives you such an air of mingled gravity and confidence? It is one, therefore, that will rid you — or perhaps I may say us — for ever from all fear of vindictive persecution at the hands of Indora? ”’ ‘“‘T no longer fear her persecutions, my lord,’’ rejoined the Frenchwoman, and her tone was now unmistakably cold, while her manner was stiff. “T do not understand you,’ exclaimed the duke, not knowing what to think. ‘ Has anything happened to In- dora? Has anything been done? Have you in your astute- ness devised something better than the aid of Sagoonah’s dagger or a reptile from the Zoological Gardens? ”’ ‘“‘ Heaven be thanked,” cried the Frenchwoman, ‘‘ that neither the steel blade nor the serpent did the work of death! My conscience is at least not burdened with that crime.” 287 COnnicloookKks (CO)