The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 358: what you’re looking at

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

THE FIRST ORDEAL BY she says as much in the letter which she sent just now to request us to call upon her, and in pursuance of which in- vitation we are now seated beneath the roof of Bellenaen Priory. I wonder whether she’ will ask you to accompany her to the boudoir,” added Fernanda, with an arch look. “Were you not astonished when I revealed all those startling things to you this morning? ”’ said the earl. ‘TI must confess that I was amazed,’ replied Fernanda. ““ Not that I ever entertained a particularly high opinion of my own sex — ” ‘‘ Because you yourself are a wanton, my sweet cousin,” interrupted the earl, patting Fernanda’s cheek familiarly. “ But tell me, are you very much afflicted by the death of Lord Desborough? And why are you not in mourning? ”’ “As for being afflicted, Eugene,’”’ returned the heartless lady, “‘ I have no leisure to devote to grief; and as for the mourning, I have not had time to order it. The intelligence of the accident which proved fatal to my uncle only reached London last night, and all my thoughts have been engrossed by the lawsuit.” } ““ It struck me that your husband seemed very care-worn and ill,” observed Eugene. ‘ He evidently was not over- well pleased at my soliciting an interview with you alone this morning, — still less at your accompanying me téte-a-téte in my carriage — ”’ ‘““ He doubtless supposes that I ought to have no secrets from him,’’ observed Fernanda, hastily. “And he is also rather jealous, perhaps?’ said the nobleman, whose spirits appeared to be reviving somewhat. “Think you, Eugene,” said Fernanda, her scarlet lip curling with contempt, “* that I am a being to bein any way moved or ruffled — unless it be to scorn — by a jealous man? No, no; I am too strong-minded to heed the more erovelling passions of human nature, when there are so many fiery and fierce ones meriting attention and worthy to stir up deep feelings.”’ ‘Whence comes this marvellous strength of mind, — this indomitable courage on your part, fair cousin?’ de- manded Montgomery, with an expression of interest and curiosity. “Tt is partly constitutional,” replied Fernanda, ‘“ and it | partly arises from the circumstance that I have taught Eomicsooks (E(©)