The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

42 THE COURT OF LONDON as Philip Ramsey. How, then, was the discovery made? The mystery was impenetrable: it defied all the efforts of imagination. Not for an instant did it strike him that the visit of the artist and the exhibition of the picture could have any connection with the sudden catastrophe. “Mr. Ramsey, or rather, Mr. Wakefield,” resumed the earl, again exercising a mastery over his feelings, “for it makes my blood run cold in my veins to call you by the former name, matters have reached that appalling crisis when reproaches are a folly and an absurdity. No possible invective which my lips might frame could convey an idea of the tremendous sense of diabolical outrage which my soul experiences. Words are useless in dealing with such a case. The wrong is inflicted; its nature is horrible to contemplate. But, oh, with what excruciating bitterness of feeling must I admit that I myself was to a great extent the accessory to my own dishonour and to my wife’s immeasurable shame. For I knew that you had become her paramour— M God! I knew it — and now my punishment is a hell of the heart’s emotions.” And, springing from his seat, the earl began to pace the room with all the frantic agitation of one whose brain was turning. But suddenly pausing in his demented walk, he confronted Ramsey, saying in a low, hoarse tone, “ The sooner we separate, the better. In another hour it will be dusk, and my travelling-carriage will be at the door. If you consent to repair straight to Liverpool and.thence embark for the United States, my purse is at your command.” “ Greedily, gratefully do I embrace the opportunity,” exclaimed the resuscitated. “Talk not to me of gratitude, profane not good words by breathing them with your polluted lips,” said the earl, his voice now suddenly changing to a passionate vehemence as he surveyed Ramsey with looks of indescribable disgust and abhorrence. ‘ Here are five hundred pounds for your use,” he exclaimed, tossing down a purse heavy with gold and rustling with bank-notes; ‘‘ and, by the living God, if you venture to remain in England, if you do not proceed in my carriage direct to Liverpool and thence depart without delay for America, I will show you no more mercy, but proclaim the fact of your existence to the world, and set the blood- GIooks =) (CO) (C©