The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

SCENES IN THE DANE JOHN 129 maddened, so blinded, or so besotted with the fury of his unfortunate passion as to believe that either by entreaty or by threat he could impart any of its fire to the chaste and stainless bosom of the charming Louisa? No, he did not think this; and again we say, that he had no settled purpose in view, but he was impelled toward Louisa’s abode by that strong tide of passion to which he had now abandoned him- self, and which was almost as strong as destiny itself. Scarcely had he quitted the Dane John when from behind that thick group of evergreens where he had heard the rustling, and which were impenetrable to the eye, a tall female in black came forth. Her countenance was pale even to ghastliness, the traces of deep sorrows were upon her features, and yet the great beauty which had once marked that countenance was not altogether extinguished. The dark eyes still flashed with strange fires, and the pale quiver- ing lips revealed teeth which were fine and in good preserva- tion. Her age was about forty, though she looked three or four years older; but her hair was unstreaked with silver and her form, though very thin, was perfectly erect. Her apparel, consisting of deep black, was of good but not of costly material, and altogether there was an air about her which showed that she had been well bred, and at one time in her life accustomed to good society. ‘“‘ That man whom I love, despite of all his cruelty toward me,’ she murmured to herself, as she emerged from the evergreens and looked in the direction where Bernard Audley had just disappeared through the iron gate at the farther extremity of the avenue, ‘‘ and he calls me his evil genius! It is true that I seldom appear before him save when it is necessary to rescue him from some new crime, or prevent him from making new victims. Ah! although I have from time to time thus started up, as it were, in his presence, and rushed betwixt himself and the object of his lust, yet does he little suspect how constantly and how unweariedly I follow him about. And now again do his passions madly impel him to rush upon destruction. But I must save him, yes, and save also that sweet creature, the broken-hearted Melissa’s daughter, whom he would thus immolate to his frenzied desires.” While she was thus musing, the lady became aware that some one was advancing from behind. She mechanically (C(O) nn) GDoOo <Si nin