The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 335: what you’re looking at

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

318 REYNOLDS’ WORKS with conjectures which are remote enough from the actual fact,” and though Indora spoke somewhat gravely, yet her manner continued perfectly courteous. ‘* And now,” she added, ‘‘ as Iam exceedingly fatigued with my day’s rambles, I must beg your Grace to forgive me if I retire to rest.” She rose from her seat, and Marchmont, first flying to ring the bell, next hastened to open the door. As the princess passed, he proffered his hand, but she either did not really see it, or else affected not to perceive it, and with a courteous inclination of the head she quitted the room. On reaching her own chamber. she was attended upon by two of the female servants of the establishment, and she remarked as if quite in a casual way, ‘‘ So you have the duchess here now? ”’ “Yes, my lady,’ replied one of the women, at the same time exchanging a rapidly significant look with her fellow servant. ‘“T hope that her Grace’s indisposition is only slight resumed the princess. “There is little doubt,” was the answer, “ that her Grace will be quite well in the morning.”’ ‘Tt is to be sincerely hoped so,” said Indora, “ and the more so by me inasmuch as I am assured by the duke it was entirely on my account her Grace undertook a journey which has thus rendered her indisposed.”’ Again did the two servants exchange quick looks of meaning, but Indora appeared to notice them not. They assisted her throughout her night toilet, and when she was prepared for rest, they withdrew. The reader will scarcely require to be informed that the Duchess of Marchmont was not at Oaklands at all. This portion of the duke’s stratagem was an afterthought, and an improvement (as he considered’ it) upon the plan of pro- ceedings originally laid down by Madame Angelique. He had reasoned to himself that as he was perfectly unacquainted with Indora, except by sight, it would be expedient for him to have at least an hour’s interview with her ere he carried his plot into execution, so that he might be enabled to form a better estimate of her disposition and character than he could do from Madame Angelique’s description. He was, moreover, impatient to find himself in the presence of that [astern lady whose superb charms had made such an im- 9 i) CONNIE NO KS m