The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 294: what you’re looking at

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

RESPECTABILITY 267 respiratory functions to work. He opened his eyes for a ‘moment, but closed them again, evidently without having comprehended where he was nor who was with him. . In a few minutes his lips began to waver, and he mur- mured some words. They were incoherent, save and except in reference to one word, and that was a name, — the name of his long-lost brother Bertram. Madame Angelique lis- tened with the suspenseful curiosity of one who expected to hear something more, and who had a sort of vague pre- sentiment that it would be of importance, though without at all anticipating what its nature might be, or why she should have that impression. Her eyes were intently fixed upon the duke’s countenance, which was very pale. His own eyes were closed; the mark of the contusion, and of abrasion likewise, was now more plainly visible than at first; it was evidently the result of a very fierce and savage blow which had deprived the duke of consciousness, and most probably, as the domestics had surmised, knocked him from his horse. _ Again was there a wavering of the lips, again did he give utterance to some words, and though his speech con- tinued incoherent, yet were the words themselves audible as well as intelligible. Madame Angelique started; feelings of mingled wonderment, dismay, and horror seized upon her, and the very expression which they gave to her counte- nance suddenly congealed as it were there, remaining fixed and rigid upon her features. Her breath was suspended as she continued to listen with the profoundest, awtfulest interest. Again the duke spoke, his frame now writhing with the pangs which frequently accompany returning consciousness after a state of insensibility; and at the same time, too, it appeared as if these physical pains engendered mental ones, blending therewith in a strong, convulsing agony. Under these joint influences did the duke continue speaking, in- coherently but distinctly audible, and with increasing as- toundment did Madame Angelique listen. _ The end of the lane was now reached, and there it appeared that some man who was passing had caught the riderless horse. The footman from the box shouted forth instructions as to whither the man was to lead the animal, and the equli- page continued itsway. Theduke was nowrapidly recovering, CoOnnicloookKks (CO)