The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

80 THE COURT OF LONDON ) Fanny,’ exclaimed the ex-footman; ‘“‘ and most likely my decision shall be in accordance with your wishes. But this cursed uneasy feeling is growing upon me so rapidly — ”’ ‘You do indeed look very unwell,’’ observed the milliner. ‘“ Shall I send for a doctor? Or will you go to bed and take some medicine? ”’ ‘Neither,’ returned Dray. “I mistrust doctors and can’t bear physic. Perhaps it is the excitement of that cursed gaming-table, and a good night’s rest will take it all away.” “Ah! a good night’s rest,’ murmured the unhappy woman, with a profound sigh. ‘‘ Would to Heaven that I might enjoy one! But let me offer you a glass of wine — some of your favourite champagne,” she hastened to observe, perceiving that Frederick’s brow grew overcast at the re- newal of her melancholy musings. “Yes, give me a glass of champagne,” he said, pettishly. ‘“T can but see what it will do for me.”’’ | The milliner rose from her seat, uncorked a bottle of Epernay, and, filling a glass, presented it while yet efferves- cing to her paramour. The man took it in his hand and raised it to his lips, but some indescribable feeling of nausea and loathing prompted him to repel it, and, hastily giving back the glass to Mrs. Brace, he said, in a shuddering tone, ‘‘ By Heaven! I am very ill.” The milliner now once more urged upon him the necessity of going to bed, and Dray yielded to her persuasion. It was with some difficulty that he could ascend the stairs; a violent headache and an increasing sense of weakness com- bined not only to distract him but also to paralyze his phys- ical energies. But when once he had laid aside his apparel and had retired to rest, he felt somewhat better. Still, however, he refused to have any professional advice or take medicine, and in a few minutes he fell asleep. Mrs. Brace, who had assisted him in ascending to the bed- chamber, now retraced her way down-stairs to assure herself, according to custom, that the house was all safe ere she retired for the night. She dismissed the servants to their respective rooms, locked up the plate and wine, and was about to rejoin her paramour, when a low double knock at the front door fell upon her ears. She started and shuddered all over, for the guilty con- CONNIE OOLKKS (E()