The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XIII THE LIBRARY THERE was a grand entertainment at the Duke of March- mont’s house in Belgrave Square on the evening of which we are writing. The reader is aware that the Duchess of March- mont was an amiable and beautiful lady, but who unfor- tunately had experienced little happiness in her alliance with the duke. She had forgiven him for that fearful conspiracy which he had concocted against her some time back at Oak- lands, but though she had forgiven, she could not forget. Yet, with the natural generosity of her soul, with the self- sacrificing magnanimity of her disposition, she had studied to resume her wonted demeanour of affectionate regard toward her husband, and likewise to play the part which her high station assigned her in a manner that should prevent the world from suspecting her domestic infelicity. Thus was it that she from time to time gave those entertainments which a lady in her sphere was expected to give, while, on the other hand, the duke, who to a certain extent studied out- ward appearances, intimated his pleasure that such recep- tions should take place at Marchmont House. Especially, too, at the present time was his Grace anxious to court society, and to seem to have his leisure occupied by dinner-parties and other fashionable pursuits. When a man is either meditating or darkly conniving at a crime, he takes all possible precautions to avert suspicion, and to afford proof that his thoughts and aims were flowing at the time in altogether a different channel. Thus, at this period when he was in reality devoured with anxiety and suspense as to the result of the terrible task he had assigned to the Burker, he appeared to be pursuing a round of pleasure, and was giving splendid entertainments at his mansion in Belgrave Square. 134 ECORNICLIOOKS (E(0)