The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

THE SEQUEL | 7 summons, but at length a servant, having evidently huddled on some clothing in great haste, made his appearance. “Is Mr. Valentine Malvern at home?” asked Lady Er- nestina, still keeping the veil over her countenance. ‘Yes, he is, ma’am,” replied the footman, hesitatingly, for he saw enough of the visitant to be assured that she was of ladylike aspect so far as her apparel was concerned. “‘ But at this hour — ”’ ‘““T am well aware of the strangeness and seeming impro- priety of this visit at such an hour,’’ Lady Ernestina hastened to observe. “ But it is absolutely necessary I should see Mr. Malvern at once. Tell him,’’ she added, in a less decisive tone, ‘‘ that it is respecting the business which he had in hand with Mr. Sampson this evening, or, rather, during the earlier part of the night which is now passing.” ‘Walk in, ma’am,”’ said the domestic, who, without understanding anything about the business to which Er- nestina had alluded, nevertheless saw that her presence there referred to some matter of importance. He accordingly conducted Lady Dysart into a parlour, where he lighted the candles; and as he quitted the room to report her presence to his master, the very first object on which her eyes settled, as she looked around, was a por- trait of the late Sir Archibald Malvern. It had been taken only a few months previous to his death, and was what is usually termed a “ speaking likeness.’”’ Ernestina felt herself shaken by powerful emotions, for she had loved that man tenderly and well, although with an illicit affection. Yes, and she shuddered, too, with a strong trembling, as all the circum- stances of the fearful tragedy which cost him his life were brought vividly back to her memory. Then she fell into a profound reverie, from which she was somewhat abruptly startled in about ten minutes by the entrance of Valentine Malvern. The young gentleman had not sought his couch when the servant knocked at his door with the intimation that a lady, who had given no name, demanded an immediate interview. He had retired to his chamber, it is true, but only to pace to and fro, in an uneasy and anxious mood, or else throw himself in an armchair and give way to his reflections. When the servant brought that message, a presentiment struck him at the moment that it was Lady Ernestina Dysart (CO) nn) GDoOo <Si in