The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 394: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. a Oath at Sh. 4 Pe ee ee |-- 2-2 oe Oe he continued. *My iguominious exphision from the house would be the first step taken by your husband—and who know’ bué that hé might sacrifice you to his fary? Then—Oh! then, what would become of me? I should destroy myself— and our love would terminate as fatally as our deaths would be premature f° “ Alas! alas! there is indeed niuch truth in this prophetic picture which you have drawn, Gus- tavus,” dxclaimed Eleanor, snatching herself from his émbraco ahd gazing upon him in mingled terror and entreaty. “Tell me— Oh! téli me, I conjure you, what course you would have us adopt—what plan you would recommeiid.” “Kleanor,” said Ramsey, in a tone that was solemn and even dwe-inspiring;—“you have given me every proof of an erdent lova—and you have declared that you would die to serve mea. Bat you shall lve to bless me: we will live for each other! Oh! can you not comprehend what I wonld sug- gest?—do you not understand the hature of the sacrifice which you must make for this love of ours?” ad Bpeak—speak, Gustavus f’ exclaimed the Coun- tees, vehemently. “ What would you have me do ?” “ Fly with me!” was the resolute and yet solemn apsewer. “Oh! my God—must it come to that” oried thé lady, bursting into tears and wringing her hands. “Must this love of our’s bring disgrace spon the ——” “If you hesitate, Bleahor,” interrupted Ramsey, © is that you love me less than you love the brillant position which you oceupy in the world of fashio#t. In this case I will leave you—the sooner the bettér—ere my heart breaks———” “ Leaévé me! O erucl Gustavus—why give utter- ance te such menaces?” exclaimed Bieanor, pain- fully excitéd. “No—you shall not leave me—we will not separate! Iam happy with yoo—I shall be wretched without you. What to me is the gay arid splendid sphére of rank and fashion? Have | not abéndoned it for these two weeks past in order to be constantly in your society? Oh! you know ‘eey. = a5 1B PEABSE PT H.s.| Re from the depths of my soul !” exclaimed Hamusey, sinking at her feet and covering her hand with kisses. “ Rise, my well-beloved !”” she said, little dreaming how much of theatrical effect there was in his pro- ceeding, but judging him by her own fervid sincerity and profound enthusiaam, “What I have pledged myselfto do, I will perform without a murmur—and the sooner, the better, now that my resolution is taken. Pardon me, then,” she continued in a more subdued tone and with a sudden embarrassment of manner, as she preased her lover’s hand aflection- ately,“ pardon me if I now tnrn the conversation for a mioment upon things of worldly importance only. But it is pecessary that I should inform yon, my beloved Gustavus, that I am not independent of my husband in a pecuniary sense. A few hundreds of pounds—my jewels—these are all the wealth that I can take away with me; and I know that for the present your circumstances are not as prosperous as I coald wish them to be.” “But I am young—and [ am not wanting in certain intellectual qualifications,” answered Ram- “T possess a perfect knowledge ef the French language—and in the United States of America I may hope, as a tutor or as a translator, to earn a livelihood. And then —in addition to all this, I think I may aafely say that by means of certain deeds in my possession I may obtain a considerable sum of money ——” “Oh ! it grieves me to think that we are compelled to speak of the dross of this world in the same breath with love which is the gold of the heart's feelings !” exclaimed Eleanor. “ Enough, then, upon that subject. You know my pogtion, Gustavus—you are aware that it is little more than my profound affec- tion which : can bestow upon thee. Oh! if my fortune were as immense as my love for thee, the wealth of the Indies would be pauperism in com- parisen therewith |” . “'Tis thy love only which [ seek, Eleanor,” re- sponded the treacherous criminal, as he strained that confiding and noble-hearted woman to his tainted breast. They now resumed their seats upon the sofa— COMGLOO S COMM