The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

26 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘‘ Pardon me, Editha,” said Malpas, confused and humili- ated; ‘‘ but what could I do? ”’ ‘“Risked Newgate, death, anything, sooner than betray the honour of a confiding woman,” exclaimed the Countess of Curzon, fixing upon her paramour a look of withering scorn and superb contempt. ‘ Did I risk nothing for you when I forged my husband’s name to save you from a debtors’ gaol? Have I risked nothing in giving you that love which could alone prompt me to such a perilous act? It was in a moment of utter contempt and indifference for all consequences that I became a forger; and that supreme recklessness was produced by my devotion to you. Now, sir, you have rewarded me by betraying my honour into the hands of an usurer.”’ ‘“ For God’s sake, use no harsh words with respect to Emmerson,” exclaimed the colonel. ‘‘ Your honour is safe in his keeping, he will not betray you.” ‘Wretch!”’ ejaculated the countess, bitterly. ‘‘ Much as I loved you a minute back, I now hate and detest you. Viper — would to heaven that-I had the power of crushing you under my foot! ”’ ‘“‘ Editha, you are raving,” cried Malpas, his countenance ghastly pale and his lips livid and quivering. ‘‘ Do you intend to quarrel with me for ever? ”’ ‘“My pardon you can never obtain, sir,” answered the countess, haughtily. ‘If my heart were henceforth to feel one moment’s tenderness toward you, I would stab it to the very core. But enough of this portion of the painful drama. One word more, and I take my departure. Am I to understand that you will arrange with Mr. Emmerson for these bills and that you will provide for them in due course? Or will you crown your infamy by suffering the transaction to reach my husband’s ears? ”’ ‘TI will provide for them — on my honour I will provide for them,’’ exclaimed the colonel. ‘‘ But hear me — ”’ ‘‘ Enough, sir,’ ejaculated the countess, with imperious tone and haughty manner. She took up her bonnet and cloak; he advanced, trem- blingly and pale, to assist her in putting on the latter, but she repulsed him with a gesture of scorn. He essayed to murmur a few syllables of abject entreaty, | but she darted upon him a look that seemed fraught with CORVICOOOKS (G(@)