The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

40 REYNOLDS’ WORKS cliffe was in an adjoining apartment and in a position to overhear everything that took place. Mr. Coleman requested the Duke of Marchmont to be seated, and then said, ‘‘ May I beg to be informed of the business which has procured me the honour of your Grace’s visit? ”’ There was a certain degree of coldness and reserve in Cole- man’s manner which could not be otherwise than perceptible to one who, by his rank and position, might naturally have awaited nothing but the profoundest respect from the man of business. But not appearing to notice the somewhat glacial distance of the lawyer’s demeanour, the duke said, “I do not think, Mr, Coleman, that I shall take up your time many minutes, for I have only a simple question to put, and doubtless your answer will be as concisely given.”’ ‘‘ Proceed, my lord,’ said the solicitor; and as he seated himself at his desk, he awaited with cold and grave attention whatsoever was to follow. ‘“ It has come to my knowledge,” continued the Duke of Marchmont, ‘‘ that you have made inquiries concerning a certain Madame Angelique three or four times lately, and, to tell you the truth, she is somewhat alarmed. Now, I need not inform you, Mr. Coleman, that some of us mortals are frail enough, and I will frankly admit that I, being one of these fallible ones, frequented the establishment which Ma- dame Angelique used to keep. Happening to call upon her to-day, just to see how she was getting on in the villa to which she has retired, I found her overwhelmed with alarm.” ‘‘T can assure your Grace,’ answered Mr. Coleman, ‘“ I have recently made no inquiries relative to Madame Ange- lique. There was a period when I certainly intended to prosecute her for keeping a house of infamy, but when she abandoned that iniquitous profession and retired to some suburb of the metropolis — ”’ ‘T understand, Mr. Coleman,” ejaculated the duke, “‘ you were satisfied? the establishment was broken up, and that was all which you required? Then I must have been de- ceived, or, rather, Madame Angelique herself has been misled upon the point. But she certainly labours under the appre- hension that you still have your eye upon her, and, what is more, that you entertain the intention of renewing hostile proceedings. Now, between you and me, Mr. Coleman, if this be really the case, I should be very happy to do any- Gomiuicbdoc <S (E(0)