The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 281: what you’re looking at

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

254 REYNOLDS’ WORKS moment, for though she had given up her trade of milliner, together with the more questionable one which she had conjointly carried on, yet she continued to experience a lively curiosity in everything which regarded the newest modes for ladies’ apparel. The window of the parlour in which she was seated commanded a view of the projecting portico of her villa-residence, so she rose from her seat and just peeped between the muslin curtains to see who the visitor might be. “‘ Shadbolt!’ she half-ejaculated, and an expression of annoyance flitted over her countenance. ‘“ This man will prove an extortioner,’ she continued, musing to herself, “T see that he will —if I let him. But I must extricate myself from his clutches. Nevertheless, the fellow has hitherto been useful — ”’ At this moment the parlour door was thrown open, and a neatly attired, coquettish-looking female servant, with very pretty features, duly announced Mr. Shadbolt. This individual was dressed in what both himself and his tailor meant to be the very extreme of fashion, but the natural vulgarity of the man marred all the effect which exquisitely cut garments would otherwise have produced. He wore a profusion of jewelry; indeed it would seem as if he had studied every possible means of crowding gold chains and other trinkets about his person. He affected a half-rakish, half-jaunty air, as if he were perfectly satisfied with the style in which he was thus playing, or shall we say aping the West End gentleman. ‘‘ Well, my dear madam,” he said, throwing himself upon the sofa, near the retired milliner, ‘‘ how do you get on in your new abode? ” ‘‘ Having only been here a few days,’ responded Madame Angelique, ‘‘ I cannot as yet say much about it, but I have every reason to believe that I shall like it.” “ Well, I think I am a little too early for lunch,” said Mr. Shadbolt, taking a gold watch from his pocket, “ so we will have a little chat upon business before the tray is brought up.” “What business can you have to talk to me upon?’ inquired Madame Angelique. ‘‘ Now that those girls are fully disposed of —’’ “ Ah, was not all that capitally managed?” ejaculated ECORNICLIOOKS (E(0)