The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

4 REYNOLDS’ WORKS lour on the ground floor, she found an excellent repast in readiness. Scarcely had she finished, when the Duke of Marchmont arrived at the house. “T am glad that you have come,” said Lettice, as he en- tered the room, and she spoke half-poutingly, half-smilingly, “for really you have consigned me to an abode of incom- parable dulness.”’ “ But everything is done, my dear girl, to conduce to your comfort,” said his Grace, tapping her familiarly on the cheek. “TI ordered these people to attend to your slightest wants, and even to anticipate them. After all, you do not look so very unhappy, and you certainly are not pining away. On the contrary, the fresh air of the country has brought a richer colour to your cheeks, and they invite what I am now about to bestow upon them.” Thus speaking, the duke kissed each plump and carnation- hued cheek, and then, by way of variety, he paid a similar compliment to the dewy richness of Lettice Rodney’s lips. ‘“ And now that you have thus refreshed yourself, my dear Marchmont,” she laughingly and familiarly said, ‘‘ perhaps you will have the kindness to enter a little more deeply into explanations than you have hitherto done? The box of dresses has arrived, I find — “And to-morrow evening, one must be made use of,” rejoined the duke. ‘“ Listen to me attentively, my dear Lettice, and I will tell you precisely how you are to act.” Marchmont then detailed such explanations as were requisite for the furtherance of his treacherous scheme; but it is not consistent with the immediate requirements of our narrative that we should chronicle them. Suffice it to observe that Lettice Rodney promised to fulfil the duke’s instructions on all points, and she received from him an earnest of his munificence in the form of a small casket containing several exquisite and costly articles of jewelry. “To-morrow night, therefore, my dear Lettice,’”’ said the duke, as he rose to take his departure. ‘“ But recollect that you do not stir abroad in the daytime; you can take plenty of exercise in the large enclosed garden at the back of the house. I took care,’’ he continued, glancing toward some book-shelves, ‘‘ to provide you with numerous novels and interesting works, and, by the bye, I have brought you a quantity of newspapers.”’ EORNICLOOO Ss (CO Fn ee