The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 321: what you’re looking at

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

290 REYNOLDS’ WORKS you have reason to feel so confident in respect to the Lady Indora. And now, as you are about to retire into private life, if there be anything I can do — ”’ ‘““ Yes, there is something,”’ responded Madame Angelique. ‘“‘ The four girls must be comfortably provided for. I mean to leave off business with a good character, and those charmers of mine must not go forth into the world to pro- claim what I have been. So little has actually transpired in respect to the true character of this house that the public in general will give me credit for being a respectable milliner who is retiring on a fortune legitimately obtained.” ‘To be sure, my dear madam,” ejaculated Marchmont; ‘you will keep your own counsel with respect to the past, you will provide for the girls, so as to seal their lips; and those friends who have so long patronized your establish- ment, myself amongst the number, will of course do the best to sustain your respectability by their good report.”’ ‘“‘ T expect nothing less at their hands,’ answered Madame Angelique, ‘‘ and I purpose to test the sincerity of the friend- ship of four of my principal patrons. To begin therefore with your Grace, I give you your choice of the four young ladies in the saloon.”’ ‘Commend me to Eglantine,”’ exclaimed Marchmont, who at once saw the necessity of yielding to that which was in reality a command on the part of the Frenchwoman. “ To- morrow I will take handsome apartments somewhere for Eglantine. I will let you know the address in the course of the day, and she can then remove thither.”’ ‘‘ Eglantine must prove an exception from the choice,” answered Madame Angelique. ‘ I had forgotten at the mo- ment that I have a particular way of disposing of her. Kither of the other three — ”’ ‘“‘ It is impossible, my dear madam,” interrupted the duke, “that I can take either Armantine or Linda, who have been so long beneath your roof, and who are so well known amongst all your patrons. I should be laughed at, ridi- culed — ”’ ‘Then why not Marion? ’’ demanded the Frenchwoman. ‘‘ And now I bethink me, I can place Armantine and Linda equally as well as I can Eglantine. Therefore, my lord, it must be Marion.”’ ‘But, my dear Madame Angelique,” said the duke, “ in CORMIECLIOOKS m