The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

THE LIBRARY 141 y ‘‘ Patience, my lord, for a few minutes,”’ interrupted Mrs. Oxenden, ‘‘ for I have yet some explanation to give. When I married a man old enough to be my father, it was because I really wished to lead a respectable life, but more for the sake of my young sister than my own. Now, as I have already informed your Grace, certain projects on which I was recently bent have utterly failed, and my sister is alienated from me. I will not return to my drivelling dotard of a husband; I care not for the farce of leading what 1s called a respectable life for the future. On quitting Ramsgate, my mind was speedily made up. Availing myself of a long- standing invitation on the part of the Walmers, I came to their house in London. My object in plunging amongst the pleasures of the inetropolis shall be frankly confessed. In- deed, my lord,’’ added Mrs. Oxenden, significantly, “‘ there is no need for the existence of any secrets between your Grace and me.” “No, no, certainly not,” said the duke, inwardly recoiling from the intimacy which had suddenly arisen upon the basis of a hideous crime becoming revealed to the ears of this woman who was so ready to take advantage of her knowledge thereof, and who could speak with such a mingling of bold hardihood and cold, worldly-minded calculation. “Well, then, my lord,” continued Mrs. Oxenden, ‘‘ I am tired of playing the part of a virtuous and respectable wife, doomed to poverty, and I seek to become the mistress of some great and powerful personage who can give me riches. For this object I came to London; for this object I resolved to plunge into fashionable society. Accident has favoured my purpose more readily than I had dared anticipate, even with the consciousness of a beauty which is not inconsid- erable.” ‘Mrs. Oxenden,”’ replied Marchmont, “ it shall be as you desire. To-morrow you will leave the Walmers. Let it be in the middle of the day. Before noon you shall receive a note from me, intimating where a suitable house is taken for your reception. But remember, the veil of inviolable se- crecy — 7’ . “Shall remain thrown over all that reached my ears this night,’”’ replied Mrs. Oxenden, “‘ so long as your Grace per- forms a generous part toward me.”’ At this moment the door of the library was thrown open, EGOMIGIOOKS (CO)