The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 350: what you’re looking at

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

328 REYNOLDS’ WORKS corridor, and thence he took a lamp which was burning there. As he reéntered the saloon with the light, his glances were flung in quick, nervous anxiety around, but he beheld no one except the prostrate form of his ducal master stretched near the threshold of the cabinet. On approaching nearer, he perceived that Marchmont was now recovering, and that there was no appearance about his person of any injury sustained. A long, gasping moan came slowly from his lips, and raising himself partially up, he looked with wild, haggard eyes around him; then as his regards settled upon the steward, he said, ‘“‘ Good heavens, Purvis! what could that have been? What followed when I sank down in uncon- sciousness? ” “Get up, my lord,” cried the old steward, in a state of feverish excitement. ‘“ Let us alarm the household; there must be robbers in the place.” “No, no, be quiet!” said the duke, now rising up to his feet, and Purvis recoiled in actual dismay from the ghastly horror which was depicted on Marchmont’s countenance. “Tell me,” continued the duke, speaking in a deep, hollow voice, “ what did you hear? What sound did you catch? Were any words spoken? ” “I know not, my lord —I cannot recollect. My ideas are still all in confusion,” and Purvis looked around him in a species of bewildered consternation. “But you must recollect,’ exclaimed the duke, im- patiently; ‘“‘ you did not lose your consciousness.” “But I well-nigh lost my senses, my lord,” was the steward’s remark, which under less grave and fearful cir- cumstances would have appeared ludicrous enough. “I tell your Grace there must be robbers in the mansion. Let us raise an alarm.”’ “No, I command you to remain here, and to be quiet,” said the duke, sternly, and he appeared now to have almost re- gained his wonted self-possession. ‘‘ Here, give me that lamp.” “The dagger is safe,’ ejaculated Purvis, as his eyes, plunging into the cabinet, fell upon the weapon which lay in the drawer that was open, and its bright blade reflected the beams of the lamp. “Why did you say that? ” demanded the duke, turning so sharply around upon the old man that he shrank back in affright. : CORNICLOOOLK