The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 324: what you’re looking at

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

THE MILLINER AND THE DUKE 293 scene, and with an account opened at a banker’s in your name to the extent of five hundred pounds? ”’ ‘I should say, my lord,’ replied Stanhope, “ that it was a truly ducal manner in getting rid of a mistress of whom your Grace is tired, and that I am so overwhelmed by the favour I at once accept it.”’ “ Then it is a bargain,’’ said Marchmont, “ and here is an earnest thereof,’’ he added, slipping his purse into Stanhope’s hand. ‘‘ Come to me to-morrow evening — But no, do not make your appearance in Belgrave Square — Dine with me at the Clarendon Hotel at seven o’clock, and after our wine I will conduct you to the little paradise where a houri’s arms will be open to receive you.” | “T shall be punctual, my lord,’’ answered Wilson Stan- hope. ‘‘ But one word. Is not this great favour which you are showing me the prelude to something else? ”’ ‘“ What mean you? ” inquired Marchmont, but the tone in which the question was put convinced Stanhope that his surmise was correct. ‘“‘ Let me speak frankly, my lord,’ he said. ‘‘ I asked for fifty pounds, and you proffer me five hundred. Is this really nothing more than a recompense for taking your cast-off mistress — ”’ ‘On my soul, she is no mistress of mine,”’ interrupted the duke. ‘‘ I have seen her, I have joked with her, but never beyond such companionship has any familiarity been per- mitted by her. I have endeavoured — Butenough. Suf- fice it for you to know that she has been the mistress of Beltinge, that she is now at Madame Angelique’s, and that to-morrow she will be in handsome apartments, ready to receive you.” “Good, my lord,” ejaculated Stanhope. ‘ But still I think there is something that lies beyond all this. You re- quire my services in another way, and you are giving me the retaining fee? ”’ “ And if it be so? ”’ said the Duke, pointedly. ‘“ You will find me ready and willing as before. Only let me know at once, that I may shape my arrangements ac- cordingly.” ‘“ Then shape them,” answered the duke, “ according to the impression you have received, and perhaps I may be more explicit to-morrow evening.” CORnNICLOOOKS (CO)