The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

118 THE COURT OF LONDON ever, that the explosion had taken place, they recollected many little circumstances which they wondered had not opened their eyes before as to the stratagem so artiully carried on by their mistress and her maid. On this point, however, we need not dwell; suffice it to say, that the coachman and the lackey were highly delighted at the prospect of so fine a piece of scandal and so glorious an action for crim. con. against some one or another, which they now saw to be the inevitable results of this night’s adventure. By hali-past twelve Soho Square was reached, and the earl ordered the carriage to stop at a little distance from Mrs. Gale’s. The moment the coachman reined in his horses, that same young man who had hitherto been keeping watch in the vicinage hastened up to the carriage, and, approaching the window, said in a hurried tone of inquiry, “ The earl? ”’ “Yes,” replied that nobleman. ‘‘ What news, Theodore? ”’ “They are here,’ said Varian, glancing around toward Mrs. Gale’s house, over the front door of which a lamp was burning. ‘‘ The countess and Emmerson? ”’ said the earl, quickly. “T have no doubt of it,’’ was Varian’s response. ‘But your answer,’’ exclaimed Curzon, “‘ seems to imply a doubt. Are you not certain — ”’ ‘“T posted myself where your lordship told me, in the by- street,’’ Theodore hastened to explain, ‘‘ and I saw a female, closely veiled and cloaked, come forth from Lady Lechmere’s side door. All took place as your lordship had led me to suppose. A hackney-coach was waiting, into which she entered, and it drove away. I followed it to Oxford Street, I saw a gentleman and lady alight, I pursued them at a distance, and lost not sight of them till they entered Mrs. Gale’s door. Here I have since remained, and they have not come out again.”’ “Good! they are caught in a net,’’ ejaculated the earl. “ But why did you at first speak in a doubting manner as to the identity of the parties? ”’ ‘“ T am not aware that I did, my lord,’’ replied Theodore Varian, “‘ unless it were, perhaps, because you so positively asked me whether I was sure it was the countess and E/mmer- son. Now, I could not be positive, because the lady appeared closely veiled as she came forth from Lady Lechmere’s house, and after she and her companion alighted in Oxtord ECORMIClIOO KES (E(0)