The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

100 THE COURT OF LONDON breathe that name during any portion of the ceremony, you must slur over it in such a manner that it may not meet Lord Florimel’s ears. Do you comprehend me? And will you act precisely as I require? ”’ ‘Yes, to both questions,’’ answered Mr. Colwell. ‘ Any- thing else? ”’ | ‘““T see that we shall have no difficulty in coming to an understanding with each other,’ observed Rao. ‘‘ There is one point more, which is, that the ceremony must take place in the dark.” ‘“T have no objection,” replied the reverend gentleman, who did not forget the additional fee which had been prom- ) ised; ‘‘ and as for the prayers, I can repeat them as well without a book as with one.” “Good! ’’ exclaimed Rao; ‘“ and now please to attend to one more point upon which I must instruct you. Mrs. Brace has undertaken to give the bride away; but her presence is not needed until everything is in readiness for the cere- mony to commence. Therefore the moment the bride enters the apartment whither you will be shortly led, you must hasten and fetch Mrs. Brace. She is already aware that the proceedings will be conducted in the mystery and depth of utter darkness, and hence there is no necessity for any further explanation on that head. Do you comprehend me? ”’ ‘It is impossible to mistake instructions so precise and intelligible,’ said the parson. ‘‘ But assuredly this is the most mysterious affair — ”’ “ Are you afraid of it? Do you wish to retreat?” de- manded Rao, impatiently. ‘ What! with twenty guineas in hand, and twenty more in prospective,”’ exclaimed Mr. Colwell. ‘‘ Not I!” ‘Well and good!” said Rao, in a tone of satisfaction. ‘ And now I must request you, reverend sir, to be pleased to remain here for a few minutes. There is wine upon the sideboard.’’ ‘T see it,’ interrupted the clergyman, his mouth water- ing; “ and I know that Mrs. Brace’s wine is excellent. You need not, therefore, be in any hurry, as with that bottle of port I can manage to while away half an hour or so agreeably enough.” Rao now quitted the parson, and hastened back to his noble master in the drawing-room. CONNIE LOOKS (E(©)