The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

24 REYNOLDS’ WORKS reasons for declining to give his name. The lackey accord- ingly hesitated no longer to introduce the visitor into the splendidly furnished drawing-room where Mrs. Oxenden was seated. ‘Ah, is it you?”’ she said, quite coolly and collectedly, as if it were a visit of mere ordinary interest. ‘‘ Pray sit down.’’ Then, as the door closed behind the domestic, her manner all in an instant changed, and it was even with fierceness that she demanded, ‘‘ What brings you hither? ” ‘“To assure myself with my own eyes,’”’ responded the old gentleman, “‘ that the rumour which reached me is true, — that you are living here in gilded infamy — ”’ Mrs. Oxenden burst out into an ironical laugh. ‘‘ Are you come to preach sermons to me? ”’ she exclaimed. ‘“‘ Tf so, let me assure you at once that I am not prepared to listen to them. Between you and me everything is ended, so far as the ties of husband and wife are concerned. But I did not leave you through any animosity; it was through self-interest. I am enriching myself, and if you like I can put you in a way of enriching yourself. Now do not be a fool, Mr. Oxenden. You must know very well that an old man such as you are— But no matter. I repeat, I have no animosity against you, and therefore I do not wish to say anything to annoy. You can resign me without a sigh, and as you are not overburdened with this world’s goods, you will not perhaps lose the opportunity of improving your position. This you may do at the same time that you will be benefiting me.” ‘“ What mean you?’ inquired Mr. Oxenden, whose first feel- ings of bitterness were yielding to others of selfish interest. ‘“T mean,” continued his wife, “‘ that as I have left you, never to return, you may as well be separated from me legally as you are in fact. In plain terms, I recommend you to bring an action against the Duke of Marchmont for the seduction of your wife, — claim heavy damages. I will take care that no defence shall be offered to the process, so that it will be neither a tedious nor a costly one, and all the favour I ask in return is that when the suit is finished you will render it the ground of another suit, — I mean a suit for a divorce. Come now, Mr. Oxenden, is this to be an understanding between us? ”’ ‘“‘ Let it be so,’? answered Mr. Oxenden, after a few mo- Gomiuicdoc <S (E(0)