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.

CHAPTER XXVIII THE WOLVES THROWING OFF THEIR DISGUISE In the meantime Louisa had sought the chamber where she had passed the preceding night, and she immediately began to pack up her trunk for departure. Not for an instant did she suspect that the Marquis of Leveson had dared negative her orders to fetch the post-chaise; but still she felt that she should breathe more freely when beyond the threshold of this grand, aristocratic mansion, the very at- mosphere of which seemed heavy, oppressive, and ominous of the dead lull and stifling closeness which pervades the outburst of the storm. Scarcely had she finished packing her trunk when Lady Ernestina Dysart entered she chamber. ‘““My dear Louisa,’”’ said the artful woman, assuming a look of such well-feigned sorrow that the maiden was com- pletely thrown off her guard thereby, and began to fancy that she had wronged even the marquis himself by her sus- picions, “‘ my dear Louisa,’’ repeated her ladyship, in the most soothing, endearing, and sympathetic tone, ‘‘I am truly vexed that you purpose to leave us thus suddenly; but my uncle desires me to say that he will watch for your sister’s return home in company with her kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. Beckford, and he will let you know through me when you can come back to London with the certainty of meeting her.’’ “TI am truly grateful,” said our heroine, “ for this proof of kind consideration on the part of his lordship and yourself.”’ But still Louisa spoke with a certain degree of restraint, for she could not give facile utterance to words that came not wholly from her heart. “Oh, do not thank me for anything which I may do for 327 COUM (-) LOOKS (CO)