The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 291: what you’re looking at

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

264 REYNOLDS’ WORKS creatures. Pausing at the gate, she beckoned the Lascar to approach, at the same time that she drew forth her purse. “You seem to be suffering very much from fatigue, my poor man,” she said, speaking in English, and holding a half-crown over the gate at the very instant that the carriage with the ladies rolled passed. The Lascar only shook his head, but said nothing. Ma- dame Angelique then addressed him in French, but still no reply, and only a shake of the head. She gave him the money, but as he took it, it struck her that a more savage, sinister-looking rascal she had not seen for a very long time. He made an awkward bow, and continued his way. Madame Angelique’s carriage was now in readiness, and she rode forth for her airing. She had not proceeded very far when a gentleman on horseback rode hastily past the carriage, proceeding in the same direction which the equi- page itself was taking. The ex-milliner at once recognized the Duke of Marchmont, though it did not seem as if the nobleman himself was aware whose dashing turnout he was thus passing. He was unattended by any groom, and Madame Angelique said to herself, “ His Grace is bent on some mischief, I’ll be bound, or else he would not be thus alone. Doubtless he is after some fair one. Ah, he will miss my assistance and intervention in such matters, as will a great many other persons likewise! ”’ The carriage having proceeded for about three miles along the main road, turned into a lane, so that by a cir- cuitous route it might regain the villa, thereby diversi- fying the excursion, and enabling Madame Angelique to enjoy the freshness of the breeze that was wafted through the foliage of the shady lanes along which the equipage was now proceeding. All of a sudden the carriage passed a spot where Madame Angelique caught sight of the Lascar whom she had relieved, and who was now talking to a gentleman on horseback. This horseman she also recog- nized; he was the Duke of Marchmont. The ex-milliner was struck by the singularity of the circumstance. Neither the Lascar nor the duke had recog- nized herself as the equipage swept by, and she had distinctly heard the Lascar speaking at the moment, though what he was saying she could not distinguish. To herself he had been unable, or at least had affected to be unable, to speak CORNICLIIOOKS (E(0)