The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

THE SEQUEL 11 would help to consign the unfortunate tragedy to oblivion. Upon all this I cannot bear to dwell. Suffice it to say that in a grave dug deep in the garden belonging to that villa do the remains of your father lie, and with him is interred the silken ladder by the aid of which he ascended to my window. Oh, Sir Valentine, if you knew all; you would indeed acknowledge that I have been horribly punished.” - “Unless I believe you to be a veritable fiend in human shape,’ observed the young baronet, in a solemn voice, ““T must suppose that the wrongs you experienced at your husband’s hands were of no ordinary character, for the proof exists that you were the means of surrendering him up to the hands of justice.”’ ‘“‘ Ah! the anonymous letter has betrayed that circum- stance,’ exclaimed Ernestina. Then speaking quickly, she added, ‘‘ But of all the deeds which stain my life, the conduct I pursued toward my husband is the one calculated to inspire the least remorse. It was a woman’s vengeance, and though you will say that the vengeance was terrible, yet was the provocation of no common character.” ‘“‘ Lady Ernestina,’’ said Malvern, solemnly, ‘I am not your judge, and have neither right nor pretence to hold you accountable for actions which concern not myself. Of your behaviour toward your husband we will therefore speak no more. But in this deplorable tragedy involving my father’s fate, what course is to be pursued? ”’ “For my part,’”’ at once returned Lady Dysart, in a firm voice, ‘‘ I have resolved not merely to tell everything, but likewise to dare all consequences.’ ‘“‘ How learned you that suspicions had arisen against you? ”’ asked ‘Malvern. “T saw that I was watched to-night,” replied Lady Er- nestina, not choosing to enter into any explanations that should compel her to speak of the Hangman or show that she had any connection with him. “ My fears were excited. I cannot exactly say that conscience troubled me, since whatever share I might have had in your father’s fate was unintentional on my part.” “ T believe the explanations you have given me upon that head,’’ rejoined Malvern, “‘ and I can assure you that for more reasons than one I do not wish to give an unnecessary publicity to these details connected with my father’s fate. (CO) nn) GDOo <Si nin