The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER II THE DUKE AND HIS MISTRESS THE scene now changes to the British metropolis again, and we must introduce the reader to the interior of the house which the Duke of Marchmont had taken in a fashion- able quarter for the accommodation of his mistress, Mrs. Oxenden. The reader cannot have forgotten the circum- stances under which this lady had foisted, if not forced herself, upon the protection of the duke; for be it borne in mind that the power which she wielded over him was derived from the fact that she had become a listener to a certain conversation between himself and Barney the Burker on the night of the grand entertainment that was given in Belgrave Square. The house was sumptuously furnished, and there was a large establishment of domestics. Mrs. Oxenden ap- peared determined to do nothing by halves. She herself went to the most fashionable silversmiths, and ordered a costly service of plate; she visited jewellers’ and several other shops in a similar manner, and made her purchases as if the wealth of the Indies were at her disposal. Every one of the bills, as they were sent home in rapid succession, she enclosed to the Duke of Marchmont, with a request that they might be immediately liquidated. The duke purchased for her a very handsome equipage, consisting of a carriage and pair, but Mrs. Oxenden also required saddled horses, for she was a good equestrian, and was proud of displaying her fine figure in a riding-habit. She therefore increased her stud at the Duke of Marchmont’s expense, and, in short, she appeared resolved not to deny herself anything that she set her mind upon. Thus scarcely had a month elapsed since the date which 16 Gomicbdoc 6S (E(©)