The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 364: what you’re looking at

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

THE DUKE 347 in short, Madame Angelique, she had some deep design, of that | am convinced.” The infamous woman reflected profoundly for upwards ‘of a minute, and then she said, “‘ The only way in which I ean possibly learn anything is through the ayah Sagoonah, but as I have previously informed your Grace, she is a woman of a few words — ”’ “Lavish gold“upon her, and it will loosen her tongue,”’ ejaculated Marchmont. “ You have brought me into all these perplexities, and it is for you to extricate me, — per- dition take them! ”’ “Tl really am at a loss to comprehend your Grace,” said Madame Angelique, with an air of the most unfeigned sur- prise. ‘“‘So long as this Eastern lady does not threaten us with law proceedings, or seek to punish us for anything that has taken place, what earthly reason has your lordship to apprehend that her visit to Oaklands can involve you in any peril? ”’ “No matter,’ exclaimed the duke; “ there is something sinister in that lady’s proceedings, and I cannot get it out of my mind that so far from being your dupe, she made a tool ‘of you. Pray try and recollect the precise terms in which the subject of that visit to Oaklands was first introduced.” Madame Angelique again reflected for a brief space, and then she said, ‘“‘ Well, I do remember that it was of her own accord she remarked that she had heard of your beautiful ‘seat at Oaklands and should like much to seeit. I had just mentioned your Grace’s name as if quite accidentally, when she made that observation — ”’ “It is as clear as daylight,” exclaimed the duke, angrily; ‘you have been outwitted, and I am the victim! ” “ The victim, my lord. But how? Your Grace really makes me half-inclined to think that there is something more than you suffer me to know, and unless you give me the fullest explanation, it is impossible for me to fathom this mystery.”’ “You have got nothing to do,’’ returned Marchmont, “but to learn that lady’s motive for wishing to pay a visit to Oaklands. It was not through mere curiosity, — of that I am well convinced. There are hundreds of beautiful country-seats, and wherefore should she thus have pitched upon mine? Besides, I tell you that I saw enough of her to ) ECONNICOOO Ss (FO)