The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 357: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXXV THE FIRST ORDEAL Ir was between four and five o’clock in the afternoon of the same day, that Eugene Montgomery and Lady Holder- ness alighted from a carriage at the gate of Bellenden Priory. They were immediately conducted into the drawing-room, the servant informing them that the marchioness would join them in a few minutes. The moment the domestic had retired, the earl said in a low hurried voice to his beautiful cousin, ‘‘ I wonder what terms Laura is about to propose? ”’ “You have already wondered, Eugene, a thousand times since we received her note inviting us hither,” observed Fernanda; “ and all the wondering in the world will not help you to a solution of the mystery.”’ ‘Do you think it is a snare, my dear cousin? ”’ inquired the earl. ‘For what purpose? ” exclaimed Lady Holderness. “ If Laura meant to hand us over to the grasp of justice, she need not have invited us hither for the purpose; she could have more easily sent the constables to our houses.”’ ‘How coolly, how dauntlessly you take everything, Fer- nanda!’’ said the earl, contemplating her with mingled admiration and envy. ‘‘ You would have made an excellent general for an army of Amazons.” ‘“T certainly do not meet misfortunes half-way,” observed Lady Holderness, smiling. ‘Then, instantaneously resum- ing a serious expression of countenance, she said, “ For Heaven’s sake do not be pusillanimous, Eugene! You are trembling with nervous excitement, your agitation is positively visible. Take courage; we have gained the suit, and Laura is doubtless anxious to make terms. In fact, 326 Gomicbooks €o