The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

28 REYNOLDS’ WORKS den. “‘Oh, no, no! And now I will tell you of a splendid plan which I have set on foot,—a plan, my dear Alexis, that, when realized, will enable me to do great things for you. What should you think if you were to behold me a duchess? ”’ : ‘“A duchess?” exclaimed the young gentleman, starting with mingled astonishment and delight. ‘Is it possible you entertain such a hope? But have you forgotten that the Duke of Marchmont is already married? ”’ ‘‘T have not forgotten it,’ answered Mrs. Oxenden; ‘ on the contrary, it is the principal obstacle, but still it is not invincible. No obstacle is too great for one who has the energy to grapple with it, and that energy is mine, Alexis, — you know that it is mine.’’ ‘‘ But you yourself are married!”’ cried the young gentle- man, with increasing bewilderment. ‘‘ Listen, Alexis, and I will give you a proof of my confi- dence. My husband is about to commence a process against the Duke of Marchmont; he will of course succeed, and then he will sue for a divorce from myself. In this also he will succeed, and on the day of his success I become freed from matrimonial trammels. So far so good, is it not? ” “Up to that point indeed,’ replied Alexis, ‘‘ the project is admirable. But in respect to the duke — ”’ ‘Listen to me again,’’ proceeded Mrs. Oxenden. ‘‘ The Duchess of Marchmont is a well-principled lady, and think you not that she would be shocked if she learned that her husband was maintaining a mistress in a most sumptuous manner? Think you not that she would remonstrate with him, and that when she found that remonstrances failed, she would become indignant, she would feel her own position to be insupportable, she would sue for a divorce? And are there not means of goading her up to that point? Are there not such things as anonymous letters, for instance? And cannot you, my Alexis, become my assistant to a certain extent in working out these aims? It is for you to pen the letters which shall make the Duchess of Marchmont aware of her husband’s proceedings. Let the very first convey to her the intelligence that he hasexpended thousands of pounds in purchasing diamonds for his mistress. Let epistle follow upon epistle, and let each one be written in terms which shall wound the pride of the duchess to an intolerable extent. I CORNIELYOOLKKS (E(O)