The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

THE DESK dol ‘¢ No, only one, of that I am certain,” answered the French woman. ‘ But I really do not know his name — indeed, I don’t think I ever saw him.” ‘No? I presume because he was admitted into your house from that of your accommodating neighbour, Monsieur Bertin, next door? ’’ and there was now a more perceptible tincture of bitterness in Sir Frederick Latham’s accents. ‘Ts it possible that you were ever in my house?”’ asked Madame Angelique. “1? Never, madam!” and the merchant drew himself up with a cold, disdainful hauteur. ‘I beg your pardon, Sir Frederick,” said Madame An- gelique, ‘‘ but as you seem to know everything, I thought perhaps — pray excuse me — | intended no offence. Some of the first people have been in my late establishment.” ‘‘So it appears,’’ said the merchant, half-dryly, half-bit- terly, ‘‘ female as well as male. But can you not afford me any clue to the discovery of this paramour of my wife’s? Do you not know, madam, that it is now a husband who is seeking to learn the author of his dishonour, the name of the villain who has wrecked his happiness— No, not wrecked his happiness. I will not admit that the pro- flizacies of a vile woman and of some unprincipled libertine can wield so tremendous an influence over Sir Frederick Latham.” ‘‘ Really I am unable to give you any information on that head. I would if it were in my power. I have no reason,”’ continued Madame Angelique, ‘‘ to conceal anything from you. I very seldom saw the gentlemen who came to my establishment; it was sufficient for me that any lady might say she had made an appointment there, and all was managed secretly through the aid of trustworthy domestics.”’ “Do you think it would be of any use,” inquired Sir Frederick Latham, “if 1 were to go and question Monsieur Bertin? ” “Not the slightest,” responded Madame Angelique. “Monsieur Bertin never knew with what particular lady any particular gentleman might have had an appointment. It was sufficient for the gentleman to afford Monsieur Bertin some proof that he had no sinister nor hostile motive in seeking to pass through his house into mine.” “‘I understand,” interjected Sir Frederick. ‘“ There is EGOMIGIOOKS (CO)