The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 380: what you’re looking at

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

THE DESK 349 The ex-milliner was startled, and her guilty conscience instantaneously smote her with the idea that her recent successful extortion, the proceeds of which she had duly shared with Mr. Shadbolt, was known to the victim’s hus- band. ‘“‘ Whether you have anything to fear as the result of my visit,’’ continued Sir Frederick, ‘“‘ depends entirely on your- self. If you answer all my questions in a manner proving that you are responding faithfully and truthfully, you have nothing to apprehend, but, if on the other hand, you pre- varicate or attempt to deceive me, I shall at once take measures which you will repent.” ‘““Good heavens, sir, what do you mean?” faltered the terrified Frenchwoman, now bitterly repenting her folly, in having jeopardized herself anew after having so well escaped from former perils. | “Lady Anastatia Latham,” continued the merchant, fixing his cold eyes on the ex-milliner, ‘“‘ very recently paid some five or six hundred pounds to an agent of yours by the name of Shadbolt. You see that I know everything, and it is therefore hardly necessary that I should allude to your billet in which you made that demand.”’ “Oh, I will give back the money at once, Sir Frederick! ”’ exclaimed the terrified Frenchwoman, quailing beneath the merchant’s cold searching gaze. ‘No, that is not the object of my visit,’ he responded. “T care nothing for the money. All the world knows that to Sir Frederick Latham such a sum is as a drop of water tothe ocean. Youconfess that you had no real claim to that money? ”’ “It is but too clear, Sir Frederick,” replied Madame Angelique, “‘ that you know this much already. But what do you want of me? ” and she quivered from head to foot. ‘“T want you to tell me,” rejoined the merchant, with a coldly resolute air, “‘ by what means you gained such power, such ascendency over my wife, — the means by which you were enabled to exercise this terrorism, this coercion? Speak candidly, Madame Angelique, and I will not merely forgive you for the extortion, — an extortion which would transport you, — but I will go so far as to declare that no evil nor inconvenience shall result to you from whatsoever information you may give me. Come, shall I assist you? EOMIIGIOOKS (CO)