The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

CHRISTIAN AND ALEXIS 131 statuary marble, the beautiful but frail Marion might have admirably served that object. She herself had no love for Wilson Stanhope, but, as he was handsome, and as he possessed (at least for the present) the means of keeping her in luxury, he was as well to her as any other paramour. Besides, in thus remaining with him she had, as the reader has seen, an ulterior aim to serve, and this was on behalf of her sister. It was shortly after four o’clock when a young page in an elegant livery entered the apartment where Wilson Stanhope and his mistress were seated, to announce that Mr. Oliver was waiting in the parlour below. Stanhope at once de- scended the stairs to join him, for they were well acquainted, and frequently dined and drank copiously together. ‘““T want your assistance, Stanhope,’ Alexis immediately began, ‘‘ in one of those delicate affairs — ”’ ‘You mean a duel, Oliver? ’’ exclaimed Stanhope. ‘‘ With whom have you been quarrelling, and what is the cause? Surely you have not found a rival in Mrs. Oxenden’s af- fections.’’ ; ‘“‘ Do not ask me for a single syllable of explanation relative to the cause,”’ ejaculated Alexis. ‘‘ Suffice it to say that I have been villainously treated by a certain Christian Ashton.”’ ‘‘ Christian Ashton? ’’ exclaimed Stanhope. ‘“‘ I know that young man well. I once fought a duel on account of his sister; she is a very beautiful girl, and as for that Christian himself — ”’ But Stanhope stopped short; he did not choose to betray to Oliver how Christian had fathomed and frustrated the nefarious conspiracy in which he had played so prominent a part against the peace, reputation, and happiness of the Duchess of Marchmont, nor did he feel inclined to mention how the young gentleman had dealt summary chastisement upon him on the occasion when he so grossly insulted Isabella Vincent in Hyde Park. “Ah, you know this Ashton, then?” said Oliver. ‘ But from the tone in which you speak, you can have no very friendly feeling — ”’ “Toward young Ashton? Not I indeed!” ejaculated Stanhope. ‘‘ And therefore it will give me all the more pleasure to see you wing him in a duel. You are a good shot, if I recollect, and from what I know of Ashton’s pur- COnnNICLOOOKS (©)