A Servant of Satan: Romantic Career of Prado the Assassin — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

Bi tat i, A SERVANT OF SATAN, a 159 when the latter had cursorily glanced at him on entering. Ihe drawing-rooms were but dimly lighted by several shaded — lamps, and the great change which had taken place in Fred- erick’s appearance during the years which had elapsed since _he left India encouraged him to hope that he might possi- : bly escape detection, even on closer inspection. He there- fore advanced toward the lady of the house, and, bowing low, kissed her outstretched hand with the graceful and never-failing courtesy that was habitual to him in his rela- tions with the fair sex. ‘“How are you, my dear count?” so glad to see you!” ex- claimed the marchioness; then, as she caught sight of Cap- tain Clery, who had meanwhile approached, she added: ‘Why, Charlie, is that you? I did not know you were back in town. Let me introduce you to the Comte de Vau- gelade, a new but already very dear friend of ours.” The two men bowed to each other, and Frederick began to feel more sure of his ground as Clery gave no token of ever haying met him before. The conversation soon became general, and Frederick, always a brilliant talker, surpassed himself that evening and kept them all interested and amused by his witty sallies and repartees until a late hour. : He noticed that on two or three occasions the colonel— for such Clery had now become—fixed his piercing blue eyes somewhat inquiringly on him, as if trying to place him. It was evident that he was rather puzzled. At midnight they left the house together and strolled toward Piccadilly, chatting rather pleasantly on various topics.. As they were about to take leave of each other, Colonel Clery suddenly exclaimed: “‘T don’t know why, but I have an impression that I have had the pleasure of meeting you once before, count. Your face seems familiar, although your name was until to-night unknown to me.” | : we Eomicbooks (Gi Oo =) — . taye7y> -', oa _< * . Pa tA a ~ “ , _——e sé