The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

142 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘But what purposes have you in view, Ernestina, and how do you propose to carry out your aims?” asked the prince, now beginning to comprehend the wily lady’s mean- ing. “Listen attentively,” she said, throwing her arms about his neck and drawing him toward her in such a manner that his ear came close to her lips; and then she whispered long and earnestly. ‘Yes, it can be managed in that way, and it must be done so,’ said the prince, in a musing tone, when she had ‘ceased speaking. ‘‘ But have you the nerve, the tact, the courage to carry out the plan to the very last moment? ”’ ‘“‘ By all the wrongs I have sustained at his hands,” re- turned the lady, in a low voice that was full of concentrated bitterness, “I swear that I am as remorseless in my ven- geance as I am capable of being fervid, enthusiastic, and devoted in love.” “TI believe you, dearest Ernestina, I believe you,” said the prince, now again melting beneath the influence of her blandishments. ‘‘ And remember, I trust entirely to you, I confide in you altogether.” ‘My love toward you is the proof of my sincerity,” mur- mured the lady, redoubling the ardour of her caresses and exciting the prince to tender dalliance. “Well, let me write what you require upon the margin of that doeument: ” he said; ‘‘ and then, as I ere now ob- served, we can talk of love — and only of love.” Thus speaking, the prince rose and placed himself at a table on which there were writing-materials. ‘“ Now dictate to me, my charming preceptress, what I am to say,” he observed, taking up a pen and preparing to write. : | “Let the annotation run thus,” said Ernestina, bending over him, with one arm thrown about his neck: ‘ ‘I have reperused this paper and reiterate the promise made therein.’ Now prefix the date and your signature. That will do.” ‘‘ Well, it is done, and I am glad of it,’”’ observed the prince. “You do not know how I hate trouble of any kind. I was formed and fashioned to spend my existence pleasurably, and not in the routine of business and serious affairs. Come, put away that document, Ernestina, and tell me once more that you are really and truly very fond of me.”’ EONNIE WOO KS (E(0) m