The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

UNPLEASANT VISITORS 129 What, then, is the inference which he drew? Why, that the writer of the anonymous letter is most probably known to Mr. Dysart, — perhaps some lady who has a spite against him; and if it could be ascertained who she is, it would, as a matter of course, at the same time establish the identity of the fair and frail correspondent of the lost Sir Archibald Malvern. Not that even this discovery might clear up the mystery of his disappearance; still there is just the possibility that it would do so, and Mr. Valentine is naturally impelled by a restless anxiety to leave no stone unturned in the in- vestigation of his father’s fate.’’ “IT understand, Mr. Sampson; it is natural — very natural,’’ said Ernestina, now terribly alarmed lest the officer should take it into his head to go and question her husband upon the subject and show him the anonymous letter, the writing of which he could not fail to recognize as her own. ‘‘ But wherefore have you come to me? ”’ she asked, in order to glean his views and intentions. “Mr. Valentine Malvern begged and implored that I would lose no time in seeing your ladyship upon the sub- ject; for he thought that painful as it must be to either your husband or yourself to be intruded upon at such a moment, it would notwithstanding be less improper or indelicate under existing circumstances to appeal to your ladyship than to Mr. Dysart in the matter.”’ “The handwriting is altogether unknown to me, Mr. Sampson,”’ said Ernestina; ‘‘ nor am I aware that my unfortunate husband had any reason to fear a lady’s ran- corous revenge. But if you will leave this note with me, I will break the subject to him to-morrow.”’ ‘Ah! if your ladyship would be so kind!” exclaimed Sampson. “I know it must be a painful task for you to undertake, and that it cannot be otherwise than repugnant to your feelings; but when your ladyship reflects that a clue might be formed to the clearing up of a deep mystery — ”’ ‘““T am quite ready to sacrifice my own feelings in the matter for the sake of a fellow creature,’’ observed Lady Ernestina Dysart; ‘‘ and as I had some slight acquaintance with Sir Archibald Malvern, and his son is not altogether a stranger to me, it will afford me a melancholy satisfaction, in the midst of my own deep sorrows, to be in any way serviceable in this matter.”’ CORNICOOO (EO)