The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

104 THE COURT OF LONDON “What mean you, good youth?” asked the Unknown, her musical voice vibrating like the chord of a harp during the few moments that follow immediately after the player’s finger has been withdrawn. ‘““T mean, madam,” replied Rao, his looks becoming more and more mysteriously alarming, “‘ that I am here to dictate certain terms, and to prove to you that I have the power of enforcing obedience.”’ ‘‘ Ah! is it possible that you meditate treachery, Rao? ” exclaimed the Unknown, now trembling visibly from head to foot, and clasping her fair hands entreatingly. | “IT am about to behold the consummation of the plans which I have cherished for weeks past, and for which your conduct toward Lord Florimel not only furnished the idea but also the means of carrying it into execution. Madam,” added Rao, in a voice of mingled solemnity and imperious- ness, ‘‘ you must abandon all hope of espousing him whom you love so madly, so passionately, so insanely.”’ “My God! abandon the only hope of happiness!” cried the lady, in a voice of bitter lamentation. ‘‘ No, no; it - cannot be, Rao, it cannot be! You are jesting, you would not be so cruel. Besides, by what right do you interfere? And what power do you presume to exercise over me? ”’ ‘‘ My right, madam, is that of vengeance,” was the response, deeply accentuated; ‘‘ and my power consists in knowing who you are and being able to tear away the veil that con- ceals your lascivious life beneath the imposture of a tremen- dous hypocrisy.” “O God! is it possible? ’’ murmured the lady, sinking down upon a chair in a state of utter annihilation. ‘And now, madam,” continued the implacable Rao, ‘you will have the kindness to remain a prisoner in this room until after the ceremony, when you will be at liberty to depart. And as for your secret, I promise that it shall be safe, even with regard to Lord Florimel himself.” ‘The ceremony, you say?” exclaimed the Unknown, springing wildly from her seat, and Rao could observe the rapid heavings and fallings of the lady’s bosom. “ But how is the ceremony to take place, if I am excluded? Is there a rival? Has Pauline Clarendon regained her influence — “There is a rival, madam, but it is not she whose name you have just mentioned, rf answered Rao. EGomichdoo cS m