The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

THE PORTRAIT 33 Eleanor, snatching herself from his embrace and gazing upon him in mingled terror and entreaty. ‘ Tell me, oh, tell me, I conjure you, what course you would have us adopt, what plan you would recommend.” “‘ Eleanor,” said Ramsey, in a tone that was solemn and even awe-inspiring, “ you have given me every proof of an ardent love, and you have declared that you would die to serve me. But you shall live to bless me: we will live for each other. Oh, can you not comprehend what I would sug- gest? Do you not understand the nature of the sacrifice which you must make for this love of ours? ”’ ‘Speak, speak, Gustavus!’ exclaimed the countess, vehemently. ‘‘ What would you have me do? ” “Fly with me!” was the resolute and yet solemn answer. “Oh, my God, must it come to that?” cried the lady, bursting into tears and wringing her hands. “ Must this love of ours bring disgrace upon me — ” “If you hesitate, Eleanor,” interrupted Ramsey, “ it is that you love me less than you love the brilliant position which you occupy in the world of fashion. In this case I will leave you, the sooner the better, ere my heart breaks — ”’ “Leave me! Oh, cruel Gustavus, why give utterance to such menaces? ”’ exclaimed Eleanor, painfully excited. ‘ No, you shall not leave me, we will not separate. I am happy with you, I shall be wretched without you. What to me is the gay and splendid sphere of rank and fashion? Have I not abandoned it for these two weeks past in order to be constantly in your society? Oh, you know not yet how profound is woman’s love, you have not learned to appre- ciate the immensity of her affection. But I will teach you the lesson, Gustavus, and you shall receive from me a far greater proof of my tenderness than any I have yet been able to afford you. For I will surrender my good name in order that I may keep your love, I will fling fame and reputation to the winds, sooner than be separated from thee. Yes, all that woman values most dearly will I resign for your sake, — home, friends, relations, and the world’s adulation, and, what is more still, the world’s respect. Now will you believe that I love you? ” | And as she gave utterance to these last words the patrician lady started from her seat, and drawing herself up to the full of her queenlike stature and her noble height, (C(O) Anyi 6)(0)©)