The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 381: what you’re looking at

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

300 REYNOLDS’ WORKS Well, then, let me at once proclaim my knowledge that your late establishment was not altogether for millinery purposes. ‘Oh, but, Sir Frederick,” exclaimed Madame Angelique, “ what— what will become of poor Lady Anastatia?’”’ ‘You have almost said sufficient in those few words,” answered the merchant, quivering inwardly, though out- wardly he still betrayed no emotion, ‘“‘ to prevent me from wishing you to continue this discourse. Nevertheless you must speak out; 1f you have any regard for yourself, you will have none for Lady Anastatia. Come, be quick: explain whatsoever you may have to tell me without more useless palance.”’ ‘TI will, Sir Frederick, I will,” replied Madame Angelique. ““Lady Anastatia—ah! it is shocking that you should drive me to this confession! — certainly did make use of my establishment in a particular way — ”’ ‘“She received a paramour there? ’’ said the merchant, still speaking in a low voice which trembled not. ‘Well, yes, Sir Frederick. Women will be women — ”’ ‘‘ Proceed, madam,” he said, sternly. ‘‘ My wife met a paramour at your house? How long was this ago? ”’ ‘‘ Well, Sir Frederick, the first time it might have been between two and three years, perhaps quite three years, as far as I can recollect.”’ ‘‘ Profligate even before marriage!’’ muttered the mer- chant to himself. ‘‘ Go on, Madame Angelique,” he added, audibly. ‘‘ How often do you suppose — ” ‘Oh, not very often, sir, — a very few times! ”’ exclaimed Madame Angelique. ‘And has this ever taken place within the last two years?’ inquired the merchant, thus including the period which had elapsed since his marriage with Lady Anastatia. ‘Well, Sir Frederick,” rejoined the Frenchwoman, “ to tell the truth, there may have been some three or four inter- views within the term you name, but this was more than a year ago. Indeed for the last twelvemonth I have seen nothing of Lady Anastatia, and she suddenly ceased to deal with me.” ‘‘ Now tell me, Madame Angelique,” continued the mer- chant, ‘‘ who was the paramour that my guilty wife thus met? Or perhaps there was more than one?” he added, with a slight perceptible bitterness of tone. ECORNICIOOKS (E(0) im