The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 298: what you’re looking at

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

278 REYNOLDS’ WORKS “Did you ever for a moment fancy that this childish passion of theirs,’’ exclaimed Adolphus, ‘‘ would eventually come to anything? It was all very well that you and I availed ourselves of it for our own purposes, but could we in sober seriousness conceive that an earl’s niece would be allowed to throw herself away upon this penniless youth? ” “And you could level your mind to the acceptance of a bride whose love you know to be bestowed upon another, and which very love you yourself have helped to fan? ”’ ‘“‘ Ethel, you are cruel — too cruel. You are goading me to desperation,’ and again Adolphus started up from his seat in-a wild and excited manner. ‘“‘ Will you tell me,” he demanded, after two or three rapid pacings to and fro, — “* will you tell me, Ethel, what course I am to pursue? for as there is a heaven above me, I see but one.” ‘Pursue it, then,” said the countess; “ pursue it, Adol- phus, and may you be happy. But I— but I —” “Oh, now you fill me with wretchedness again,” and the young man literally wrung his hands in anguish. ‘No, no, be not unhappy,” responded the countess, and there was still an unnatural coldness in her look. ‘It is useless, Adolphus, to continue this scene; it is most painful for us both.” ‘““Then, by Heaven,” ejaculated the young man, vehe- mently, “‘ I will not marry Isabella. I will take some step, — indeed I will do the very worst, rather than seal the unhappiness of your life.’ ‘““ And I, Adolphus, would do the very worst also,” re- joined the countess, ‘‘ rather than live to behold you the husband of another.” Having thus spoken, Ethel abruptly quitted the room, and Adolphus continued to walk to and fro, but no longer in an agitated manner; it was with slow pace, sombre counte- nance, and downcast looks. CEONMICLOCO)