The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

84 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘““ Mrs. Ranger,’’ answered Jocelyn Loftus, “I beseech you to tranquillize yourself, and to listen to me. This after- noon a message was left by the Protestant clergyman at the hotel where I am staying, to the effect that you wished to see me, if only for a few moments. I was not within at the time; I did not return to the hotel until an hour ago. It was then nine o’clock. I could not disregard the prayer of a fellow creature whose hours in this world are numbered.”’ ‘‘ But why enter into such particulars? ’? demanded Mrs. Ranger, impatiently. ‘ These things are trivial, oh, trivial to a degree, in comparison with the immense importance of my position. Let us talk, then, only on what can be done to save me.” ‘IT pray you to listen,’”’ continued Loftus, impressively. ‘*T was about to inform you that I went to the principal syndic to beseech a written order to visit you at once. I saw him, and he complied with my request. I asked him if — ”’ *‘ If what? ’”’? demanded the wretched woman, with almost frenzied impatience, for she now guessed what was coming. ‘“‘T asked him, I say, whether there was any intention to commute your sentence,’’ continued Loftus, with deepening solemnity of tone, ‘‘ and he declared that the law must take its course.” ‘“‘ He did not! It is false!” exclaimed Mrs. Ranger, her features convulsing most hideously with a sort of frenzied rage as she spoke. “ You only say this to avoid taking any further trouble in my behalf. You want to see me perish dreadfully on the scaffold. It is you who have done it all. Had you never come to Geneva to interfere with my plans, I should not have been led into the circumstances which have made me what I am and have placed me here. Cruel and heartless that you are, pitiless and implacable, it is you who have hunted me to the very death.”’ ‘‘ Mrs. Ranger,”’ answered Loftus, in a mournful tone, “ I cannot be angry with one in your condition. But you must recollect that you prepared all this sad destiny for yourself. Wherefore did you ever embark in a course which was likely to conduct you, you knew not whither? But God forbid that I should reproach you now. Great as your sins have been, your punishment is also great, — great enough indeed, I hope, to be an atonement, but it is my duty to assure you that with the affairs of earth you have no further concern.” ? ‘ars . CORDICLOOO (CS)