The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 338: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRILLIANT ENTERTAINMENT 307 for a moment in my private room, and let this Shadbolt wait until after I have thus spoken to her ladyship.”’ We must now return to Anastatia herself. She had re- paired to the breakfast-parlour, where Mr. Shadbolt awaited her presence. He had partaken somewhat copiously of wine, and haply of spirits likewise, after his dinner, and though very far from being completely intoxicated, he was neverthe- less considerably elevated. He rose from his seat as Lady Anastatia, in her elegant ballroom apparel, made her appear- ance, but he had the air of one who was doggedly resolute in carrying out the point he had in view. ‘“ What means this intrusion at such an hour and on such an occasion?’’ asked Anastatia, with mingled indignation and trepidation. “ Why, your ladyship did not keep your word,’’ responded Shadbolt, ‘‘ and therefore I thought there was no necessity to stand on niceties in this little matter.”’ ‘“ T will communicate with Madame Angelique to-morrow,”’ replied Anastatia, with glowing cheeks. ‘I could not do so before.”’ “ But your ladyship may forget when to-morrow comes, as you have done for the last few days, and therefore,’’ added Shadbolt, resolutely, ‘‘ we had better settle the business offhand.” “The demand is a mistake,”’ she responded, ‘‘ and I can easily satisfy Madame Angelique that it is so.”’ ‘‘ And Madame Angelique says over and over again that it is no mistake whatsoever. Come, my lady, you had better pay the money at once, and avoid all unpleasantness. To be plain with you, Madame Angelique is determined to have it, and her resolution is represented in your ladyship’s humble servant, honest [ke Shadbolt.” It was now for the first time that a suspicion of intended extortion flashed to the mind of Lady Anastatia Latham. The blood ran cold to her heart, the next instant it coursed like molten lead in its crimson channels. She knew not how to treat the matter, — whether to repel the demand with indignation, or to submit to it and promise the money for the morrow. At that instant the door opened, and the foot- man entering, said, “‘ If you please, my lady, Sir Frederick wishes to speak to you a moment in his study.”’ Anastatia was for an instant smitten as if by dismay at COMIC OO© Ss (CO)