The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

94 REYNOLDS’ WORKS and with no settled purpose in view, that Sir Frederick Latham rode in the direction of Brixton Hill, where, as it will be recollected, Madame Angelique’s villa was situated. But let us leave Sir Frederick for a few minutes, while we look into the interior of that villa. Madame Angelique was seated at dessert, but her coun- tenance bore the evidences of a certain inward trouble or uneasiness. It was clear that the milliner, on retiring from business, had not found the mental tranquillity which she had hoped to experience in the seclusion of her beautiful villa. Presently there was a knock at the door, and Mr. Shabolt was announced by the pretty parlour-maid, whose face expressed mingled anger and disgust, for she detested this visitor, and he had just taken the liberty of tapping her cheek in the hall. Mr. Shadbolt, as was now usual with him, had been dining luxuriantly, and it seemed as if the viands of which he had partaken had been washed down with a considerable amount of generous wine. Indeed it was in a state of semi-ebriety that he was thus introduced into Madame Angelique’s presence. | ‘“‘ Well, what news?” he inquired, taking a seat, and at once filling a wine-glass for himself. ‘It is singular that 1 have not seen the duke,” replied Madame Angelique, rather in a musing tone to herself than exactly addressing her visitor. “What duke? Your friend Marchmont of whom you so constantly speak?” he inquired. “Yes. I forgot I had not seen you since he called yester- day. It was immediately after you left.” “Well, I can tell. you,” rejoined Shadbolt, “ that the duke is lying in a desperate state at his house in Belgrave Square.” “Ah!” ejaculated Madame Angelique; and then she muttered to herself, “‘ No wonder! no wonder! ”’ “I suppose you know,’ continued Shadbolt, “ that his brother Lord Clandon suddenly turned up yesterday and was arrested? ”’ “Yes, I know it all,” answered Madame Angelique. rok read the paragraph that was in this morning’s paper, and the evening one,” she added, glancing toward the Globe, which lay upon the sofa, “‘ contains a longer account of what yesterday took place at Bow Street. It seems that GoOmicsdooks (E()