The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

98 THE COURT OF LONDON the features of the sable page. ’Twas but as the shadow which the wing of a bird might throw in its flight, as transi- tory and as evanescent, and that countenance resumed its placidity again. Another double knock now echoed through the house, and Florimel started nervously as he exclaimed, * ’Tis she! ”’ Rao instantaneously quitted the room and descended the stairs to open the street door. The Unknown, closely veiled, alighted from a hackney-coach, which immediately drove away. She too came unattended and alone; and in her hand she carried a large bandbox, which Rao took from her and bore into the hall. Then, without saying a single word, he conducted her up-stairs to a chamber, on the threshold of which he paused. “If you require female attendance, madam,’ he said, | ‘“‘ Mrs. Brace — the mistress of the house — will cheerfully wait upon you.”’ “No, I can manage by myself, Rao,’’ returned the lady, in that musical voice which was endowed with such siren charms; and taking the bandbox from the sable page, she closed the door of the apartment. , Rao now returned to his master, who inquired anxiously if it were the Unknown that had just arrived. The response was of course in the affirmative; and Lord Florimel heaved a profound sigh, but said nothing more. In about twenty minutes his toilet was completed, and Rao then conducted him to the saloon where the ceremony was to take place. “You have procured the special license, boy?” said Florimel, as he flung himself upon a sofa. “Here it is, my lord,” answered the page, drawing the paper from his pocket. “What name have you had filled in for the bride?” demanded the nobleman. : ‘“‘ Some fictitious one, of course, as I did not know the real one, my lord,’’ replied Rao. “I gave the first that came into my head, but I really forget what it was at this mo- ment.— ”’ The page was interrupted by another knock at the front -door;. and, thrusting back the special license into his pocket, he hastened to answer this third. summons. But as he descended the stairs, he said to himself, ‘‘ The interruption (E() EONNKE NOOO KS