The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 375: what you’re looking at

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

RAO AT EARL MONTGOMERY’S MANSION 341 ship intends to go to the masquerade to-morrow night, you will do well to accept the loan of a domino which I will leave with your lordship’s valet in the course of the day.” “Ah! I understand you full well, Rao,’ exclaimed the earl. ‘‘ Your master’s commands have been disobeyed, and you have not destroyed the blue domino.”’ The black page smiled with an arch significancy, but made no reply. ‘‘ And yet,’ observed Montgomery, ‘‘ I cannot conceive wherefore you should have shown so much anxiety not only to fathom my desires, but also to gratify them.” ‘‘ Simply because I am fond of amusing myself in a partic- ular manner,’”’ said Rao; ‘‘ and the sort of amusement which I like is what you English people call mischief.’ ‘“‘ Yes, I have heard that East Indians are apt to be as mischievous as monkeys,”’ observed the nobleman, laughing, ‘‘and now I have received a proof of it. Well, my good boy, I accept your offer, and I will wear the domino. But of course this is a secret between you and me.” ‘TI am not likely to reveal it,”’ said Rao, laconically. ‘“‘ And I pledge you my word that I will not,’”’ returned the nobleman. Then, after a few moments’ hesitation, he said, ‘“‘ But tell me how I can reward you for this service which you are rendering me, for I scarcely know by what means to testify my sense of your kindness.”’ ‘TI require nothing at present, my lord,’’ answered Rao. ‘“‘ Should I ever need a boon at your hands, I shall come and ask it.” ‘“‘ And most cheerfully shall I grant your request, if it be in my power to do so,” said the earl. The black page bowed a slight but graceful acknowledg- ment of the pledge thus given, and then took his departure, gliding away from the nobleman’s presence like a shadow. ‘‘ There is something incomprehensibly mysterious about that boy,” said Lord Montgomery to himself, as he returned to his seat in the front room. (Gx ®) AG DOO