The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 319: what you’re looking at

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

288 REYNOLDS’ WORKS “Then what do you mean?” asked the nobleman, now completely bewildered, and alarmed likewise by whatsoever appeared strangely sinister in the otherwise incomprehensible look, tone, and manner of Madame Angelique. ‘ What is this project on which you have decided? ” “To break up my establishment altogether, retire into a pleasant little villa, and live in comfort for the rest of my days, apart from all intrigues and the perils thereof.” The Duke of Marchmont was astounded. As the reader is aware, he was in mortal dread of the Princess Indora; he had the most cogent reasons for destroying her life, so that he might silence her for ever, and here was the hitherto use- ful and willing agent of whom he had made a tool for the purpose of carrying out his fell design,—here she was, we say, suddenly slipping out of his hands! ‘“ You surely cannot be serious? ”’ he at length faltered out. “You would not abandon a business — pardon me, an avoca- tion — which is so lucrative? ”’ ‘And which makes me the dupe of others,” rejoined Madame Angelique, with emphatic tone and significant look. ‘“ What mean you? ” inquired Marchmont. ‘“ Your words seem pointed, and yet to one who has always been your friend — ”’ ‘“You have paid me, my lord, for the services which I have rendered,”’ answered Madame Angelique, ‘* and on that score we are quits. But you have endeavoured to render me your instrument in the accomplishment of a deed from which I now recoil with horror, — yes, and even with wonder that I could have ever contemplated it. With all the arts of sophistry you led me to believe that I incurred the most terrific dangers at Indora’s hands.’’ ‘ And had you not the proof? ”’ inquired the duke, vainly endeavouring to conceal the bitter vexation and even the terror which he experienced. ‘‘ Did not an agent of the police — ”’ ‘Yes, he came, certainly, but I was altogether mistaken as to the origin of his visit. In one word, my lord duke, the Lady Indora has nothing to do with this proceeding on the part of the commissioners of police; it all emanates from some wealthy person in the background, who acts through the medium of his attorney, Mr. Coleman.”’ ‘“ Coleman — Coleman? ”’ said the duke, thus repeating the CORMICLIOO KS (E(0)