The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 285: what you’re looking at

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

258 REYNOLDS’ WORKS Madame Angelique reflected for some moments, and then she said, ‘‘ I would rather not do it, much rather not.” “Oh, I understand,” cried her visitor, petulantly, ‘‘ you have not sufficient confidence in honest Ike Shadbolt? You think that when I once get hold of the money I shall use the last syllable of my name, which means bolt. But there’s nothing of the sort to be feared. Honour amongst — ahem! I mean honour betwixt Madame Angelique and honest Ike Shadbolt.” “ Still I would rather not,’’ answered the retired milliner. “How ridiculous!’ ejaculated Shadbolt. ‘* You know that you can trust me. Besides, give me one little billet at a time, and as I bring back the cash to be divided, you can give me another.” ‘You do not understand my objection,” said Madame Angelique. ‘‘ The truth is that my late business was nearly getting me into such serious trouble —as no one better knows than yourself — that when I settled down here at this villa I made up my mind to lead a quiet life and avoid everything that could possibly involve me in difficulties for the future.”’ ‘But there is no chance of trouble in what I propose,” persisted Shadbolt. ‘‘ The proceeding — ”’ “It is extortion, or attempted extortion, or whatever the English laws call it,” observed Madame Angelique. ‘Not a bit of it. Suppose, for instance, a lady defies you, takes the high ground, says that she owes you nothing, that she can produce your receipts, and that she does not understand the nature of the threats held out through me. Well, if we really see that the game can’t be played in that quarter, an apology must be made. ‘ Madame Angelique presents her compliments to Lady So and So, and deeply regrets that a mistake should have been made in respect to her ladyship’s account, which was entirely owing to an erroneous entry in Madame Angelique’s books but which is now completely rectified.’ What can be better than that? ”’ ‘This does indeed look feasible,’ said Madame Angelique, “ but I will think over it. There is no hurry for a day or two; I will let you know.”’ ‘Good!’ said Shadbolt. ‘‘ There is, as you say, no hurry in the matter. And now I’ll ring for lunch.” CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)