The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 345: what you’re looking at

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

314 THE COURT OF LONDON one present,’’ replied the clerk, ‘‘ although every one bearing the name of Montgomery must be considered her enemy. But the Marchioness of Bellenden is a true Christian and a most excellent lady,— you can read her character in her countenance — ”’ ‘‘ And she was both shocked and affected? ”’ exclaimed the earl, interrogatively. ‘Very much so, my lord,’”’ was the answer. ‘‘ Indeed, it was a scene — ”’ ‘“‘ T can well understand how distressing it must have been! Oh, my poor brother! my poor brother! ”’ he cried, in a tone of bitter lamentation. ‘‘ But is there no way of accounting for his death? Does suspicion fall upon no one? Or what is the impression that the awful tragedy has left upon the minds of those who witnessed it? ” ‘“No one seemed able to form a conjecture, my lord,” answered the man of business. “ But I came away so hurriedly that I had no time to glean any particular opinions —ah! stay though,” he exclaimed, suddenly interrupting himself, ‘‘ I recollect that something was said about a private carriage being seen in the vicinity of the bridge, on the morning that the huge stone fell down, or was let down — for your lordship must know that the crowning stone had not been purposely lowered by the masons — ”’ At this moment a domestic entered the room, to inform his master that Lord Florimel requested an interview with him. “Lord Florimel at this early hour,’’ exclaimed Mont- gomery, glancing at a timepiece which showed him that it was only eight o’clock. ‘‘ I have just received intelligence of so distressing a nature that I cannot see any one save upon business of urgency and importance.” ‘“ His lordship desires me to say,’’ remarked the domestic, “that his business is of a pressing nature, but that he shall not detain your lordship many minutes.”’ “Then I will see him,’”’ observed Lord Montgomery, and he repaired to the apartment to which Florimel had been shown. | The young nobleman was pale and care-worn; a profound melancholy sat upon his features so femininely handsome; and, mingled with that mournful aspect, there was a certain sedateness which showed that the mind was influenced by no GComicbooks €o