The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

SG ' REYNOLDS’ WORKS everything to his credit that he should have got on so well as to have such good ground for doing it.”’ By the time this conversation was ended the princess and the old steward had completed their ramble, and the mansion was reached. As Indora entered the hall, she perceived a certain bustle amongst the domestics, who were hurrying to and fro, and one of them, stepping up to Purvis, hastily whispered something in his ear. Indora took no visible notice of it, but ascending to her chamber, put off her walking attire, and then repaired to the cvawing-room. As she entered, a tall, aristocratic-looking :ndividual rose from a sofa on which he was seated, and advancing toward her, bowed with courteous respect. For a moment — and only for a moment — there was a strange and ominous glitter in the dark eyes of Indora, but the duke perceived it not, for it was gone by the time he raised his looks to her countenance again. “Permit me to announce myself as the Duke of March- mont,’ he said. ‘‘ The duchess and I, after mature reflection, came to the conclusion that it would be discourteous if we presented not ourselves here during at least a portion of the period of your ladyship’s sojourn, to do the hospitalities of Oaklands.”’ ‘““T am exceedingly flattered by this kindness on the part of your lordship and her Grace,’’ responded Indora, and then she looked around as if in search of the Duchess of March- ; mont. “Her Grace has charged me to offer your ladyship a ; thousand apologies,’ the duke hastened to say, “ that she ' is not enabled to present herself this evening. Her Grace } is in very delicate health. The journey from London in such | sultry weather has indisposed her, and on! the very moment | of our arrival, a quarter of an hour back, she was forced to retire to her apartment.” ‘“ And it is on my account,” exclaimed Indora, with an air of vexation, “ that her Grace undertook a journey which has thus indisposed her! ”’ “Her Grace will be completely recovered by the morning,’’ replied Marchmont. Then thinking that he might now venture upon a little compliment, in the hope of breaking the ceremonious formality of the discourse, he added, “And the pleasure which her Grace cannot fail to share with Gomichbooks