The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 290: what you’re looking at

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

RESPECTABILITY 263 sealed, and addressed the billet, “if you think you are sober enough, after all that wine, to conduct the business properly, you may at once set about making your first experiment. Balham Hill is at no great distance; you can find some vehicle to take you thither.” - “TI will proceed on this mission at once,” exclaimed Mr. Shadbolt, who was eager to begin. ‘ As for being sober enough, the more I drink the better fitted I am for business.” Thus speaking, he received the note from the French- woman’s hand, and surveyed the address. ‘“‘ Lady Anastatia Latham,” said Mr. Shadbolt, examining the note with a critical eye. ‘“‘ Very prettily written, accurately folded, the paper of a neat pale pink, the seal delicate and well formed, — just such a billet as is worthy to be borne by so polished a gentleman as honest [ke Shad- bolt.” | _ With these words he stuck his hat airily and jauntily upon one side of his head, and pausing at the luncheon- table for a few moments to toss off another glass of wine, he took his departure. Madame Angelique resumed her reading of the French papers and fashion-books for some little while, until she thought it time to ascend to her dressing-room and per- form her toilet, for she was as yet in déshabillé.. In the meanwhile the carriage was ordered to be gotten in readiness to take her out for a drive, but it occurred that when she herself was dressed the equipage was not quite prepared for her reception. Madame Angelique accordingly strolled in the little garden which separated the villa from the main road, and as she was passing by the gate, she per- ceived a person whom she took to be a poor Lascar sailor walking slowly along. Just at that instant an open carriage, filled with ladies, was approaching from a short distance, and Madame Angelique’s quick eye at once recognized them as a genteel family dwelling in the neighbourhood, and who occupied the pew next to her own at church. But this family had not called upon Madame Angelique, and the ex-milliner was very anxious to win their good opinions. Here therefore was an opportunity to display her charity; here was an occasion to prove that if she possessed wealth she knew how to use it. for the relief of her suffering fellow ) CORnnICLOOoOKS (CO)