The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

THE TRIBUNAL 145 your ladyship the slightest suspicion of the real cause for which your husband has been brought hither? ” ‘‘ My thoughts are all in confusion,”’ replied the duchess, ‘and I know not what to conjecture, what to suspect. But doubtless it is that same subject which on a former occasion led me to seek an interview with your Majesty, — some deep, deep cause of offence which my husband has given you— Alas! I fear me, the death of your Hindu ayah Sagoonah — ”’ “The Duke of Marchmont has been very, very ill,’’ inter- rupted the queen, without giving any response to the obser- vations of the duchess, ‘‘ and he has been raving in the delirium of fever. I know also that your Grace has been a faithful, a constant, and an affectionate attendant at the bed- side of your husband. Tell me, therefore, did he never in those ravings give utterance to aught which might have led your Grace to suspect — Oh, how can I put this question to a wife —a wife, too, who loves her husband, notwith- standing he is so unworthy of her! ”’ Indora became greatly troubled, for all her most generous feelings and all her most compassionate sentiments were ex- cited on behalf of the unfortunate lady, who, pale and care- worn, full of affliction, with a heart torn by vague, wild terrors, and a soul tortured by suspense, was seated all trembling by her side. ‘“‘ Oh, the ravings of my husband were sometimes terrible — terrible! ’’ exclaimed the Duchess of Marchmont, “ and yet they were so incoherent, so disjointed, that I could not comprehend them. Nevertheless, I must admit that I heard enough to carry the appalling conviction in unto my mind that his conscience was sorely burdened, for otherwise no imagination could have been so shockingly excited. And there have been moments, too,” continued the duchess, now shuddering with a visible horror, ‘“‘ when hideous fancies have flitted through my brain— But no, no!” she ejacu- lated, literally shaking herself in the wildness of her harrowed thoughts, “‘ it is impossible! it is impossible! ”’ ‘ At least, my dear madam,” said the queen, in her most soothing tone, ‘‘ your conscience is pure, and you have nought to apprehend on your own account.” “Oh, but what happens to my husband,” exclaimed Lavinia, passionately, ‘‘ will redound upon me! Tell me, CoOnniclooolkKks (©)