The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRISONER 197 to be sincere! —I beseech you to believe that I am truly contrite.” ‘“‘ Six weeks have elapsed,” said Mr. Redcliffe, ‘‘ since I last beheld you. You had then only just awakened, as it were, from unconsciousness of alternating fever and torpor, and your mind was under influences but little calculated to render it calm and collected. Do you remember all that you told me then? ” “Every syllable, Mr. Redcliffe,’ answered Lettice, em- phatically. “And every syllable was consistent with truth?” said the philanthropist, inquiringly. ‘“‘ As I have a soul to be saved,” rejoined Lettice. ‘“‘ I have been very wicked, but never, never was I capable of such a crime as that, — no, never. My soul would have abhorred it.” “T believe you,” answered Mr. Redcliffe, “‘ for certain little incidents have come to my knowledge which tend more or less to corroborate some portions of your narrative. Describe to me once more, as accurately and minutely as you can, the appearances of the two men whom — as you allege — you saw on that fatal night in company with Mrs. Webber the housekeeper.” Lettice did so, and Mr. Redcliffe murmured to himself in a musing manner, “ Yes, they are the very same.”’ ‘Do you — do you think that there is a prospect of my innocence being proved?” asked Lettice, with an almost anguished eagerness. “TI hope so,” responded Redcliffe, ‘“‘ but I charge you not to indulge too much in a hope which might possibly be dis- appointed. Heaven is the disposer of all events, and it is only by Heaven’s sufferance that man can be permitted to work them out to a particular end. I shall tell you nothing of the plans I am adopting on your behalf; suffice it for you to know that I am not idle.” “What can I say, Mr. Redcliffe,’ asked Lettice, pro- foundly moved, ‘‘ to convince you of my gratitude? ” “I am certain that you are grateful,” he answered, ‘ but it is not gratitude that I require, — it is the assurance that you are truly penitent for those misdeeds that you have committed. And in this also I believe you. I learn from ‘the governor sufficient to convince me that you fulfilled GOMIIGIOO SS) (E©) mM