The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

44 THE COURT OF LONDON he had an appointment with some one in that particular place. Nor was our astute friend mistaken; for in a few minutes a lady, enveloped in a cloak, issued from the shrubbery and advanced toward the spot where Philip Ramsey had posted himself. By the stature and gait of the lady, Meagles had little difficulty in at once recognizing the Countess of Des- borough; but if he had entertained any uncertainty upon that score, the doubt was speedily dissolved when the rays of the moon streamed full upon her countenance as she cast a rapid and searching look around. Ramsey suffered her to advance almost as far as the spot where he was standing, ere he moved a step forward to en- counter her; his aim was evidently to assure himself that she had come alone. Accordingly, when he found that no person was following her at’ a distance, and when his listening ear caught the sound of no footstep besides her own gentle tread upon the dewy sward, he advanced a few paces to meet her. Then, by the light of the silver moon that was filling the atmosphere with so sweet and pure a lustre, did the looks of that vile man encounter those of that desperate woman; and each recoiled from the other with a simultaneous shuddering, because the man felt that he was playing the part of a des- picable coward, and to the woman it already seemed as if the murder-mark of blood were already upon her brow. ‘Let our interview be short and the business speedily concluded,”’ said Ramsey, with the abruptness of one who can find no apologetic preface wherewith to open the con- versation. “I shall not detain you many minutes, sir,” replied the countess, in a cold-and measured voice, although the palpi- tations of her heart were nervously quick and short. “ But before I yield to the extortionate demand which you have made upon me — ” ‘Ah! then you mean to comply with my request, and you will act wisely,’ interrupted Ramsey. Then, as his looks quailed beneath the flashing eyes of the noble lady whose countenance was ghastly pale, he said, “ I know, I feel that I am playing a villainous part; but I have resolved to make war upon the world and spare no one. To a man placed in such fearful circumstances as those which belong to my history, there is but one scource of comfort and solace, GOmicvdoo eS m