The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 311: what you’re looking at

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

280 REYNOLDS’ WORKS tears. Shadbolt had not left the room many moments when Sir Frederick Latham entered. ‘““T have just received a note from your brother, Ana- statia,’’ he said, ‘“‘ in which the viscount tells me — But you look distressed. Has anything happened to annoy you? ” The question was put merely with that calmly kind courtesy which Sir Frederick was wont to observe toward his wife, and there was perhaps a slight expression of concern on his countenance; but there was no endearment of manner, no caressing encouragement, no solace conveyed in sympa- thizing anticipation of whatsoever might be told him. Anastasia’s grief was now suddenly mingled with confusion, and hastily gathering up the papers which lay upon the table, namely, the receipted bills which she had produced, and Madame Angelique’s note which she had received, she swept them all into her desk, at the same time falter- ing forth, ‘“‘ No, no, nothing has annoyed me.” ‘“ T am glad to hear it,’”’ said Sir Frederick Latham, but for a few moments his cold blue eyes were fixed steadily and searchingly upon his wife.. ‘You have had a letter from my brother? ” she said, now partially regaining her self-possession; and at the very in- stant she raised her own eyes toward her husband’s coun- tenance, his looks were withdrawn from her, as if he would not for the world have it supposed that he was in any way surprised or troubled by the confusion of her manner and the singularity of her conduct. ‘““ Yes, I have received a note from Viscount Rushbrook,”’ continued Sir Frederick Latham, the calmness of whose look and manner completely restored Anastasia to her own self-possession. ‘‘ His lordship announces his intention of coming to dine with us to-day, and as he moreover hints that he has a little private business on which he is desirous to speak to me—”’ ‘“T hope—ZI hope,’ murmured Anastasia, as if seized with some new cause of vexation, ‘‘ that my brother Robert — ”’ ‘Do not by any means annoy yourself,” continued Sir Frederick, in the same calm, imperturbable manner as be- fore. ‘It is not on that account I mentioned the circum- stance of his letter. It was simply to learn whether you expect any friends to dine with us to-day.” ] CORNICLIIOOKS (E(0)