The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

114 THE COURT OF LONDON It is impossible to describe the scene of confusion which followed. Mrs. Brace, who was likewise struck by this sudden revelation of the features of the young woman, was seized with a panic terror, and, throwing herself upon a sofa, she fainted. The Reverend Tobias Colwell, fearing that Lord Florimel had discovered some treachery and fancying that he should be punished as an accomplice, stole away from the room and beat a hurried retreat, while Frederick Dray advanced into the apartment, holding the candle in his hand, and flinging wildly inquiring looks upon the milliner, the nobleman, and Caroline Walters. ‘* Good Heavens! I comprehend it all!” cried the en- raged Florimel, seizing the young woman violently by the wrist. ‘‘ Fool that I have been! dolt, idiot, maniac, not to have seen through the cheat ere now! Ah! and was it thus to ensnare me into a marriage with you, Caroline, that you assumed the guise of a black page? And was that mys- terious Unknown nothing more or less than your accom- plice? Or was it some deeper vengeance still which you meditated? Speak, tell me, confess everything. But, ah, a thought strikes me,” he exclaimed, his whole form quiver-. ing with the fury that filled his breast. ‘“‘ My papers — my documents— my valuable title-deeds —’twas you who stole them! ” ‘* And if I took a few paltry sheets of parchment from you, my lord,” said Caroline, in a cold, contemptuous tone, as she fixed her dark eyes intently upon him, “ what was that theft in comparison with the foul robbery which you perpetrated in regard to me? ”’ ‘‘ A robbery in regard to you!” cried Florimel, with blended amazement and indignation. “Yes, you robbed me of my honour and of my happiness, my lord,’”’ returned Caroline. ‘“ You filched away my heart and trampled it underfoot. You won my love and made it a curse to me instead of a blessing. Ah! my lord, you have been guilty of a flagrant infamy toward one who would have died for you; but I will yet be terribly avenged.” And as these words fell from her lips, she turned away so suddenly and sped from the room with such a spirit-like celerity, that the door closed behind her ere Florimel had even time to advance a pace in pursuit or extend an arm to hold her back. He rushed after her; but as his fingers CONNIE IOOKS