The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 339: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWO NOBLEMEN 305 “ And yet the writer must be afraid of her penmanship being detected,’’ remarked Lord Montgomery; “ or else wherefore should she attempt to disguise it? ”’ “It is strange, very strange,”’ said Florimel, in a musing tone and with his eyes still fixed upon the envelope. ‘‘ The handwriting is evidently that of a lady, who has tortured its natural fluency into a stiff and awkward scrawl.”’ ‘“‘ An intrigue is at the bottom of this proceeding,’’ ob- served Lord Montgomery, “‘ and you must go to the mas- querade. Doubtless you have captivated the heart of some lady who mingles discretion with her gallantry and conducts her amours with precaution; and she has therefore adopted these means of obtaining an interview with you. For my part— But, by Jove! here is the black page again.” And Montgomery actually shuddered as he beheld Rao gliding noiselessly into the apartment, like a black spirit. The boy stopped suddenly short as that ejaculation struck upon his ear; and his black eyes, after darting a keen and penetrating look upon the nobleman who had uttered it, swept toward Lord Florimel, on whose countenance they remained fixed for a few moments. Then, as if satisfied by this scrutiny or relieved from some apprehension which had started up in his mind, the sable youth resumed his noiseless course, and, approaching his master, he placed a large parcel upon the table before him. ‘““ Well, Rao, what is this? ” demanded Florimel, perceiv- ing that the youth had something to say, but did not choose to speak until questioned. “Tt was delivered, my lord, at the same time with the letter,” said the boy, in his subdued tone of musical cadence, “but the hall-porter forgot to give it to me.”’ ‘And who brought the letter and this parcel? ’”’ inquired Florimel. ‘“‘ A ticket-porter, who immediately departed, my lord,” was the boy’s response. Rao then retired, Earl Montgomery following him with his eyes until he disappeared by the door, which it seemed he had a knack of opening and rath in a manner as noiseless as his own footsteps. ii “What have you got now, Gabriel? ”’ inquired the east, turning toward his young friend, ‘who was opening the large brown paper parcel which had just been brought in. (C(O) ANC 6)(0)©) (CO)