The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 374: what you’re looking at

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

340 THE COURT OF LONDON worth disputing, inasmuch as a mere empty title would be a burden instead of an honour to a penniless man. So, after all, I think that Lord Florimel is quite safe, and I return your lordship many thanks for the information you have given me. Good evening, my lord.” “ Will you not step up-stairs to the drawing-room and inform my mother of the notice you have received from the Chancery Court?’”’ inquired Montgomery. ‘“ The countess is all alone this evening.”’ “ T will do myself the honour of waiting upon her,” said Rigden; and, with a ceremonious bow, he quitted the apartment. At the same moment that the door closed behind him, the remembrance that the black page was in the adjoining room flashed to the brain of Lord Montgomery, who had altogether forgotten the circumstance during the interview with the lawyer. ‘‘ Perdition! ’’ muttered the nobleman to himself, as he recollected the eavesdropping propensities of the sable page; but he was almost instantaneously reassured by the thought that nothing had passed with the lawyer touching his own family affairs that he could care about the boy overhearing, while all that had been said respecting Lord Florimel was of very inferior importance. Throwing open the door of communication between the two apartments, the nobleman was about to call Rao by name, when he caught sight of the boy reclining in a large armchair and apparently wrapped in the _ profoundest repose. Montgomery advanced into the inner room, where a light was also burning as well as in the other, and the door, escaping from his hand, closed with some degree of violence. Rao started up, rubbed his eyes, and in a few moments seemed to recollect where he was. ‘““T humbly beg your lordship’s pardon,” he said, “ for having so far forgotten myself as to fall asleep. But is it late? ”’ he demanded, with a sudden anxiety. “A quarter to ten,’”’ answered Montgomery, referring to his watch. ‘“‘ That cursed lawyer came for a minute and stayed half an hour.” ‘And I will not detain your lordship one-tenth of that time,” said Rao. ‘‘ To sum up, therefore, all I have said or was about to say, I will at once observe that as your lord- GOMIGEDOOKS (C(O)