The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

18 REYNOLDS’. WORKS from her own distinguished appearance, and from the brilliant style of her equipage, that she must be a person of some consequence — inquired whether she had seen the diamonds, and on receiving a response in the negative, he begged that she would condescend to inspect them. To the show-room Mrs. Oxenden accordingly ascended. It was at that hour in the afternoon when fashionable loungers of both sexes are wont to drop in at such establish- ments, either to while away the time, or to see if there be anything new which may strike their fancies. The show- room on this occasion was more than ordinarily thronged, and the diamonds were the centre of attraction. Several ladies of rank were present with their husbands or fathers, and many a cajoling word was whisperingly spoken from beauteous lips, in the hope that the diamonds would be won as the reward of the honeyed language. But the sum was too great, and thus the cajoling was useless. Mrs. Oxenden made her appearance, escorted by the shopman from below. As she entered the room, the glance which she swept around showed her that Colonel Tressilian was present. This was the officer whose mistress she had formerly been,—the same whom she had encountered at Marchmont House in Belgrave Square, and who had threatened to expose her if she did not retire from the entertainment. Then she had felt herself to be in his power; now she no longer dreaded exposure. She had accepted the position of a kept mistress, and she was prepared to arm herself with all the false pride and hauteur of a brazen hardihood. She affected not to perceive Colonel Tressilian, and he was by no means likely to court a recognition on her part, for a young and beautiful wife whom he had married about a year back was leaning upon his arm. We should observe, however, that it was by no means generally known that Mrs. Oxenden was the Duke of Marchmont’s mistress, although, as a matter of course, tnyee were whispers in certain quarters to that effect. Colonel and Mrs. Tressilian were iy Mae a eroup engaged in the inspection of the much-coveted diamonds; there was, however, space sufficient to afford Mrs. Oxenden room to take her place at the table in the middle of which they stood beneath a. glass globe. ; Gomiuicdoc gs) (E()