The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

YOUTHFUL LOVE 171 forthcoming volumes seemed half so marvellous as this reality. Whether he was standing on his head or his heels, the old nobleman had not a very clear conception. At length, as he began to awaken somewhat from his astoundment, he resolved to have ocular demonstration of the fact itself ere he proclaimed his presence, for the ‘‘ optical delusion ” in respect to his wife some weeks back had made him partic- ularly cautious how he took any rash step for the fu- ture. Therefore, still as noiselessly as a serpent, did the earl creep along around the arbour, until he was close by the entrance of that dense umbrageous bower. It was now al- most completely dusk, and the earl, gently protruding his head, looked in. The lovers both at the same instant caught sight of a face thus peeping upon them through the obscurity, but they did not recognize it. Isabella gave a faint scream, and Christian — smitten with the conviction that it was a piece of impertinent curiosity on the part of the gardener whom he had a little while back seen in the grounds — darted forward and dealt the countenance such a vigorous blow that he sent the unfortunate old earl sprawling back into the midst of a group of sweetbrier shrubs. His lordship roared out with the pain; as well indeed he might, for the thorns had entered his person in all directions, and as he had a pair of light trousers on, it was particularly in the lower limbs that he suffered. Christian and Isabella at once comprehended that it was none other than the earl himself who was the victim of this catastrophe. The young maiden was overwhelmed with confusion and dismay; the youth sprang forward to drag his lordship forth from the briers, and Lord Osmond at that moment rushed up to the spot. Hearing his father’s cries, Adolphus had fancied there was something wrong, and he had accordingly urged the countess to return to the mansion while he sped to see what was the matter. “TI am murdered, Adolphus,” exclaimed the earl, in a towering rage; “ this young rascal has vowed to have my life, and he has been making love to your cousin Bella.”’ “‘ Most sincerely and humbly do I beseech your lordship’s pardon,” said Christian, “for the blow which I inflicted —”’ ‘“‘ But my nose,” cried the earl, rubbing his nasal promon- tory in a most ludicrous manner. ‘“ Be off with you, sir! CORNICLOO (CE)