The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

20 REYNOLDS’ WORKS pagne was at hand to cheer and warm her; the cloak and the bonnet were put off, the veil was adjusted over her head, and she was conducted by Marchmont to Mr. Stanhope’s chamber. A few minutes afterward the duke tapped at the door of Amy Sutton’s room, and the lady’s-maid — who had been prepared for such a summons, if circumstances should arise to render it expedient — came forth at once, she not having begun to disapparel herself. Silently did she follow his Grace down the stairs, and he led her to the close vicinity of Mr. Stanhope’s chamber. Concealing themselves in a place which appeared the most convenient for the purpose of watching, they remained motionless and silent for some while. At length the door of that chamber opened, and Lettice Rodney stole forth, purposely lingering, and appear- ing to be listening attentively, just within the sphere of light which glimmered forth from the interior of the room. For inasmuch as no stars nor moon were shining on this par- ticular night, it would have been impossible for Amy Sutton to distinguish the dress worn by Lettice, if this plan had not been adopted. Thus the door was left open, and for a few moments did Lettice linger near it, in pursuance of instruc- tions previously given to her by the duke. She passed on, Stanhope closed the door of his chamber, and at the expira- tion of a minute, the duke said to Amy, in a low, deep whisper, “ What think you now? ”’ “‘ It is impossible, my lord, to disbelieve one’s own eyes,” answered the lady’s-maid. ‘“‘Impossible indeed,’ rejoined Marchmont. ‘ Hasten you up to your own chamber, keep silence as heretofore,. and here is a further proof of my liberality.”’ Amy accepted the gold which was thrust into her hand, and she retraced her way to her room, while Marchmont, at the expiration of a brief interval, descended to rejoin Lettice, who shortly afterward issued forth from the private door of the mansion. The darkness had deepened with the presence of mid- night, and the wind had grown more tempestuous. Lettice Rodney drew her capacious mantle as closely around her as she could, and pressing on through the grounds, she entered upon the road. The moaning of the wind carried super- stitious feelings into her soul.. She felt that she had been ECORMICLOOOKS.eC@