The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

256 REYNOLDS’ WORKS have derived from your acquaintance with me,” and as Madame Angelique thus spoke, she slowly surveyed the well-dressed, gem-bedizened person of Mr. Shadbolt. “To be sure, to be sure!” said this individual, com- placently playing with the watch-chain which festooned | over his silk waistcoat. ‘‘ But now to business. It is my intention to make hay while the sun shines, strike while the iron is hot. That is the invariable maxim of honest Ike Shadbolt, and it is one to be followed by all sensible people.” “What do you mean?” asked Madame Angelique. ‘“‘Of course you cannot suppose —”’ “That I am to prey upon your purse? ”’ interrupted Mr. Shadbolt. ‘‘ Certainly not. Ah! you see that I under- stood what was passing in your mind. But come, don’t be alarmed; it is all fair and aboveboard. Do you not recollect that when you were going to give up the millinery establishment I said I would put you up to making a little money in other ways? ’”’ “I recollect perfectly,’”’ answered Madame Angelique, “but I thought when we had accomplished all those things in respect to Armantine, Eglantine, and Linda — ” “That my inventive genius was exhausted? Nothing of the sort. It only shows how little you really know of honest Ike Shadbolt. Bless you, my dear madam, I am up to a trick or two I can assure you,” and he winked most know- ingly. ‘Well, what do you mean?” asked the Frenchwoman impatiently. ‘‘I wish you would come to the point.” ‘“ During your time,” proceeded Mr. Shadbolt, “‘ I mean while you have been in business, you have been enabled to oblige countless numbers of great and wealthy persons, both male and female. I mean, in plain terms, that many lords, ladies, and gentlefolks have seen the interior of your private rooms at the fashionable establishment which you have just given up, eh?” “To be sure,’ said Madame Angelique. ‘“ And what then? What do you mean me to understand? ” ‘You shall soon see,’’ continued her visitor, ‘‘ and then you will form a still higher opinion of your obedient humble servant, Isaac Shadbolt, Esquire. Please to listen at- tentively. At this fashionable house of yours there have ECORNICLOOKS (E(0)