The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 295: what you’re looking at

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

A REVELATION 275 he was telling her, and that he spoke rationally and sensibly. She then recollected that the old earl — when, in an exceed- ing uxorious mood, instituting comparisons to her face between herself and his former countess, especially too when he was under the influence of wine — had more than once dropped a hint of some strange deception which that deceased wife of his had practised toward him, but from motives of delicacy Ethel had never pressed any inquiry on the point, and the earl himself had never gone beyond the vague hints just alluded to. Now, however, everything was explained, and in those very hints themselves the countess beheld a confirmation of the startling and wonderous tale which Adolphus had just related. She sat gazing upon him with illimitable love and compassion in her looks; the better feelings which had prompted her to write him the note so strenuously urging separation were all absorbed in the pro- found pity she experienced for him, and the excitement of so much sympathy could not do otherwise than resuscitate all the ardour of her passion. Perhaps, too, the knowledge that this passion had suddenly ceased to wear the doubly dark aspect it had previously borne to her contemplation was another strong reason wherefore her deep and devoted love should thus revive. Yes, she sat gazing upon him with looks of fondness and sympathy, but she spoke not; she knew not what words to say. “ Ethel,” at length said Adolphus, breaking this long silence, “‘ after everything that has taken place between us, I could not settle my mind to any specific course without first consulting you.” ““T know not how to advise you, Adolphus,’ answered the countess. ‘‘ I am as much bewildered as, Heaven knows, you yourself must be! ”’ “To-morrow at midday,” said the young man, with a species of desperation in his looks, “I must notify my decision to the earl.” “‘ And that decision,” said Ethel, in a low, soft voice, but with the glitter of anxiety in her eyes, — “‘ what will it be? ”’ “IT see that you yourself feel,’’ responded Adolphus, “that I have but one course to adopt, — that there is no alternative but to yield to the earl’s wishes.” A low shriek, or, rather, half-stifled scream burst from the lips of Ethel at these words evidently so altogether un- ? CORNICLOO@ SS (CE) mM