The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

110 THE COURT OF LONDON earl, ‘‘ but that Gertrude is here in her stead, and that when the carriage comes at midnight, then Gertrude, dressed as her mistress and closely veiled, will enter the vehicle and - be driven home to Grosvenor Street. Such,’’ added the earl, with bitter irony, “ are the precautions adopted to prevent my lackeys, coachman, and grooms from even suspecting the freaks and pranks of her profligate mistress. I must say that 1f every lady of fashion and rank were equally cunning in devising measures to lull suspicion asleep and defy detection, the public would miss many and many a rich treat of crim. con. which the public journals serve up in so enticing a manner.” “Now, my dear lord, be reasonable, expose not your wife,’ urged Lady Lechmere. ‘‘ Only reflect — ”’ ‘ Ay, but I wish in the first instance,” said the earl, with a look of deep meaning, “‘ to take my revenge on that minx Gertrude, who has so long and so successfully pandered to Editha’s depravities.”’ | ‘And the revenge which you propose to take?” said Lady Lechmere, inquiringly. ‘Oh, it is my intention to fall into the spirit of the frolic,” said the earl, with a forced laugh, “‘ and treat her exactly as if I believed her really to be my wife. No matter if the room be blazing with hghts, I shall affect to be so blind as to judge by the apparel and not by the features. For that Editha and Gertrude have changed dresses up in that room, I have no doubt. Now, madam,’ added the earl, suddenly throwing off his air of bantering irony and assuming a peremptory tone and manner, ‘“‘I enjoin you, without another word of remonstrance, to accompany me to that chamber, which, if you refuse, I can so well find for myself.” Lady Lechmere, seeing that there was no alternative, and hoping that the earl meant to limit his proceedings to the pleasant vengeance which he proposed to wreak upon Gertrude, led the way from the parlour. Having conducted his lordship up the two flight of stairs, she led him along the carpeted passage; but when within a few yards of the door at the end, she paused, and said, in a low whisper, “Shall I go in advance to prepare the girl for your appear- ance? ”’ “ Not at all, my lady, it is not necessary,” at once answered the earl. ‘I presume the door is unlocked?” ECORNIClIOOKS (E(0) im