The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 238: what you’re looking at

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

208 THE COURT OF LONDON executing the commissions which I have entrusted to you.” “Your ladyship may rest assured on that head,” returned the footman; then, with a low bow, — while not a muscle of his countenance relaxed from the serious expression which it had assumed, — he took his departure. “And you, Margaret,’”’ resumed Lady Bellenden, “ will have the goodness to step out into the village and make these inquiries which I have been dictating to you.”’ “Your ladyship’s commands shall be faithfully attended to,” was the response, and Margaret likewise quitted the room. “ Everything is now ready at the church for your lady- ship’s reception,’ said the Reverend Mr. Roberts. ‘“‘T thank you,” observed the marchioness. Then hastily putting on her bonnet and throwing her scarf over her shoulders, she accepted the arm of the clergyman who pro- posed to escort her to the sacred edifice. As she passed through the village, all the inhabitants appeared at their doors to greet her with bows and curtsies, and these salutations were acknowledged with the sweetest affability on her part. In a few minutes the churchyard was reached, and beneath the porch of the ancient building the sexton and his assistant were waiting her ladyship’s arrival. In accordance with the instructions they received through Mr. Roberts, they were provided with implements to raise the stones and lanterns to light the vaults. The sun was shining through the windows, the countless diamond panes of which gave a prismatic effect to the warm lustre; and it seemed as. if slanting lines, or rather oblique columns, of impalpable dust stretched from those windows half-across the nave of the church. Leaning upon the clergy- man’s arm, and followed by Northwitch and his assistant, the Marchioness of Bellenden threaded the aisle, until the party came to a cloistral recess which was screened off by a partition of stonework elaborately sculptured. Within the enclosure the walls were covered with monumental tablets, all sacred to the memories of the departed scions of the noble house of Bellenden; and the huge flagstones of the pavement were likewise covered with inscriptions. “ There is one particular stone which must be raised, I believe,” said the marchioness, as her eyes wandered slowly CORNICE IOOKS m