The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 188: what you’re looking at

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

A WOMAN’S LOVE 165 her knowledge that he himself was the instigator of a crime of which it was intended that she should be the victim. On the morning of which we are speaking, the duke was breakfasting with his wife, and while reading the news- paper, he gave vent to an ejaculation which startled her Grace. ‘““This is extraordinary!’’ he exclaimed, and directing Lavinia’s attention to the paragraph, he bade her peruse it. “It is dreadful! ”’ observed the duchess when she had read the brief narrative. ‘‘ But why did it elicit that ejaculation from your lips? ”’ ‘Because, my dear Lavinia,’ the duke answered, ad- dressing her in those affectionate terms to which she had long been so completely unaccustomed, “it is to this very villa that you are to proceed for me, and it is this selfsame Lady Indora whom you are to see.’’ The duchess was astonished at these announcements, but still not for a single instant did she imagine that her husband could have any connection with the crime re- corded in the paragraph. She accordingly said, ‘ You have only to express your wishes, Hugh, and they shall be fulfilled.” “T told you, Lavinia, last night,’’ continued the duke, “that I have enemies who are working against me, and the Lady Indora is one. Ah! I see that the colour mounts to your cheeks, but your suspicion is wrong; there has been no unlawful connection between that Eastern lady and myself. Do not ask me to explain anything — ” “No. ‘Tell me how to act,” said Lavinia, “ and blind- fold will I obey you.” “Go to Indora’s villa,” proceeded the Duke of March- mont, “ask for an interview with her ladyship, tell her who you are, say that you are the Duchess of Marchmont, and then — ”’ “ And then? ”’ said Lavinia, perceiving that her husband hesitated. ‘“ And then,” proceeded the duke, “ tell Indora that you have heard from my lips that she is at war with me; say that without having given you the slightest details, I have nevertheless acknowledged that she has reason to com- plain against me. Use all the power of your intercession that there may be peace between us. Hesitate not, Lavinia, CORnNICLOOOKS (CO)