The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

ALEXIS OLIVER 117 than half-intoxicated, began to discourse in that mysterious strain of semi-confidence which forms one of the phases of ebriety. ‘‘The fact is,” he said, ‘‘ I am in luck’s way at present. I don’t like to boast, you know, but there’s the finest woman in all London — you understand me? — she is over head and ears in love with me, and I of course cajole her in a most exemplary fashion. I shouldn’t let every one know what game is up, but as we have agreed to be stanch allies for the future, we mustn’t have any secrets from each other. Have either of you heard of a certain Mrs. Oxenden? ”’ ‘“‘ Mrs. Oxenden? ”’ said Captain Stanley, slowly repeating the name, as if in a sort of dubiousness whether he had before heard it mentioned or not. ‘‘ Why, what did I hear? Surely that is the splendid woman whom Marchmont has had in keeping? ”’ “Well, you are right,’”’ rejoined Alexis. ‘‘ And she is a splendid woman, too, I can tell you, — full of passion, and devoted to me. There’s no vanity on my part, but it is a fact that she can’t endure the duke, — he’s laid up now, poor fellow! — but as for your humble servant, she’d go through fire and water for him.”’ ‘‘ No doubt of it,” said Stanley. ‘‘ But there is no com- pliment in telling you, Oliver, that you’re just the young fellow to captivate the female heart.” ‘“‘ Well,” observed Alexis, complacently caressing his beard- less chin, “‘ I may have made a few conquests in my time, but I won’t say that I have, for fear you should charge me with vanity.” ‘“‘ Not I indeed,” exclaimed Stanley. ‘‘ Every young man can tell a few tales if he likes.”’ “No doubt of it,” cried Christian, sipping his claret. ‘‘ And as a matter of course amongst friends — ”’ ‘‘ There should be no reserve,’’ ejaculated Oliver. ‘‘That’s just what Isay. It is astonishing how we three fellows pull together. I see that we shall get on swimmingly.”’ ‘And so this Mrs. Oxenden,” interjected Stanley, “‘ is so infatuated with you? What a lucky dog you are! But I tell you what my idea of a woman’s love is. If she gives you all her confidence, then she really loves you, but if she keeps any secrets from you, then she doesn’t in reality care a fig for you.” GomiilGcyaooks (S©)