The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 319: what you’re looking at

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

THE DEATH - BED 289 was acquainted with her secret, I took the opportunity to cut away a small piece from one of the curtains surrounding the bed, and another piece from the window.drapery. Then, while you were sleeping and the lady had withdrawn, I effected my departure from the mansion. The rest of my narrative may be disposed of in a few words. You went to Dover — you wrote to London to order me to repair thither — and I soon ascertained that the Unknown was likewise a resident at the seaport. Your meetings continued to take place under the same veil of mystery that had shrouded them in London. On an unfrequented part of the sea beach you were wont to meet the tall domestic at night-time; then your eyes were bandaged, and you were conducted to the house which the lady had taken‘in a secluded spot outside the town. “Tn a short time you took me into your complete confidence, you revealed to me the fact that you intended to marry the Unknown, and you explained to meall the stipulations which she had made relative to the mystery that was to enshroud her name and likewise retain the veil over her countenance until after the nuptial knot was tied. Then did the idea strike me that the affair was at length taking a turn calcu- lated to suit my own purposes, and I resolved to put my ingenuity to the rack, strain every nerve, and direct every artifice toward the accomplishment of my end. This was. to become Lady Florimel instead of your siren charmer; and searcely had I formed the idea, when I already pictured to myself the rage and despair, the fury and the affliction, that would seize upon you when the cheat was discovered. The time came; you sent me on before you to London to settle all the requisite arrangements for your bridal, and I need not pause to remind you how nearly I succeeded in becoming indissolubly yours. Had it not been for the sudden entrance of the maniac wretch who subsequently died of hydrophobia — or had he even thus burst in upon us a few minutes later — all would have been over. But fate willed it otherwise, and doubtless the result, as it did occur, was for the best.”’ “ But the Unknown, Caroline, the Unknown? ”’ exclaimed Florimel. ‘‘ How did you contrive to take her place? What has become of her? And who is she? ”’ ! ‘“‘ By the knowledge of her secret, and by displaying one of COU Doo SS mn