The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

32 REYNOLDS’ WORKS where, according to our arrangement, I am to be concealed when Armytage visits you.” ‘* By all means,’’ said the lawyer; and rising from his seat,.. - he followed Mr. Redcliffe into the adjacent room. ‘* But about this Mr. Oxenden — ”’ ‘“‘ His wife,’’ interrupted Redcliffe, ‘‘ is now the mistress of him whose name I can never breathe unless to associate it with some fresh deed of crime or profligacy. My God, alas that it should be so! I know much of these Oxendens, — I mean by repute, or rather, I should say, by information which I have received from the lips of Christian, who was at the house of that very Sir John Steward at Ramsgate — ”’ Here Mr. Redcliffe’s observations were cut short by the opening of the door of the adjacent room. Mr. Coleman ac- cordingly left him in his place of concealment, and hastened to receive Mr. Oxenden. “There are particular circumstances, sir,’ began Mr. Ox- enden, as he took the seat which was offered him, “ that render it necessary for me to engage the assistance of some eminent and respectable solicitor. I have no lawyer of my own, and you indeed are the only professional gentleman in London with whom I have any acquaintance. Will you act for me? ”’ “Tf you will explain, Mr. Oxenden, the circumstances to which you allude,”’ said Mr. Coleman, “‘ I shall be enabled to give you an answer.” ‘“My wife has been taken from me,’’ resumed the old gentleman; ‘‘ she has been seduced from my arms by one who is very highly placed. I mean the Duke of Marchmont. I must punish the seducer, and I must procure an eternal separation from the woman who has dishonoured me. This is the reason that I require professional assistance, and what- soever amount you may demand in advance I am ready to pay it.” ‘“ You mean, Mr. Oxenden,”’ said the lawyer, inquiringly, ‘that you purpose to bring an action for damages against the Duke of Marchmont, and that if you be successful therein, you will carry the case up to the House of Lords and procure a divorce? ”’ ‘That is my meaning, those are my objects,’’ was the reply. ‘‘ I will never rest until I have punished that villain- ous seducer of my wife.” ) CORUICEOOOKS (E()