The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 347: what you’re looking at

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

330 THE COURT OF LONDON peared from the presence of the outraged maiden in the manner already described. The reader will have compre- hended that she touched the secret spring and opened the invisible door communicating with her uncle’s room, where indeed his lordship had been awaiting the issue of the ad- venture. Hastily telling him that the deed was done, Ernestina traversed the bedchamber and hurried into the Crimson Drawing-room, where she threw herself upon a sofa, palpi- tating with excitement. For bad, depraved, and unprincipled though she was, she nevertheless felt shocked and frightened in the presence of this tremendous iniquity to which she had lent herself. Not many moments, however, did ‘she thus give way to her painful reflections ere she was startled by the entrance of a footman, saying, “ Sir Douglas Huntingdon requests an immediate interview with either my lord marquis or your ladyship.”’ Ernestina was about to desire the domestic to say that neither she nor her uncle was at home, when the baronet, who had followed close behind the footman, now walked unceremoniously into the room. : The lackey accordingly retired; and this singular be- haviour on the part of Huntingdon so increased,.or indeed so completely crowned Ernestina’s agitation that, all woman of the world though she was, she felt covered with confusion. ‘Pardon this intrusion, my lady,” said Huntingdon, who spoke in the tone and with the air of a man bent upon the performance of some decisive part; ‘‘ but I must see the marquis immediately.” “My unele is particularly engaged,” faltered Lady Er- nestina, a deep blush suffusing her cheeks and running up even unto her forehead, so that it was lost beneath the massive bands of her light brown hair. ‘“ It I cannot see the marquis, then,’ resumed Sir Douglas Huntingdon, immediately, ‘‘ your ladyship will perhaps have the kindness to afford me an interview with Miss Louisa Stanley, who is now staying at Leveson House.”’ Ernestina gave a visible start as this demand smote her ears; and with the instinctive impulse of a guilty conscience, she cast her eyes rapidly toward the door communicating with the private suite of apartments. CONNIE OO KS (E(0)