The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 286: what you’re looking at

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

2 4 Wie. ¢ . » f sable garments which she Wore, ‘toge er W th the ‘snowy white cap of widowhood, made her look _ more ghost-like still. We wn ‘already said that of Las. thel,” retorted t celles, “ exhibi such a spectacle of bra female hardihood that fills me with even more astonish- ment than your capability of committing tl crime itself—for your conscience all the while i is whisper- ing that you ave a murderess !” Adolphus was changed likewise; and his mourning garb threw out in ghastlier felief the pallor of: his own countenance. Ethel was in that drawing-room first; and she} “Oh!” exclaimed Ethel, quivering bly froth i was half reclining on the sofa when Adolphus— | head to foot, “that there should be & power now Earl of Lascelles—slowly opened the door and | of hypocrisy i inman. What earthly purpose does it serve you to deny your crime in my presence, when you know that, considering all the past, I dare not betray you ?” “Come, Ethel,” responded Adolphus, “at least let this scene of hideous mockery terminate. Con- bel your guilt: for you likewise know that I dee not betray you!” ““ Wretch! coward—thus to treat a woman! ” cried, Ethel. “Ah! but if that woman, pein @-murderess,” retorted Adolphus, “ brings it allaponherself!” — ~ “ You are driving me to madness!” exclaimed the Countess, stamping her foot. upon the floor. ef “Does not all evide e brand you with the guilt | made his appearance, Strange indeed was the look which these two beings threw upon each other; and these looks were precisely similar in their expression. It was with mingled horror, aversion, and reproach that Ethel looked upon Adolphus: it was with mingled horror, aversion, and rep jach that Adolphus looked upon Ethel. ghet the next instant the aspect of each coun- ‘tenance c ed: Ethel looked with surpri on -Adolphusg, ¢ as if she had expected anther seve fof gaze on ‘his part—and AC olphus” looked with | ‘Stoned on ae: as if her ep gaze pa equally > walkod lon) up t es U2} Said in a have sol your soul to Sat ing words tome, “ What; Adolphus!” she f that crime, that 537 See marry Isabella you sible me of} e hu 1 the tert ‘ ould do the * worst own crime pou me f \ a> Bir; “Bh! tery Ethel, echoed fidse words !” © “ Ethel,” ‘ly rejoined ‘Adolfhus, “this is. shave Adolphus ; “and you‘declared that sooner rrible !? Pye: * ™! tha e me ‘lead Isabella to the altar, you would outragéous—this i ; A “ Adolphus,” retorted the ; C1 . : playing the part of unhearé of any, to impute y worst ! Methot ught.; at the time you 22 : I ejaculated Ethel, _vehemently. me? Were not your part. 4 the day preceding the night | your y me !” -f. a * Goo d!” murmured’ the rl of Laséelles, . thought at the tinge that you staggering back as he pressed his hand to his brow ; | meant to dare ‘my oes engeance _ “do I hear aright? or am’I dreaming ?” ~ even to the uttermos é ¥ Adolphus, ” said Ethel, “of what use is this * And I did mean that !? axclaimed Adol- = = shockine * ypocrisy on part? MetHought|phus. “I meant that er than wed Isabella when * 7 ed Toom that your or after all-you had said, £ would. flee away to the » nl in my presence- Continent Tet the Earl i pose—repudiate— thisis ‘intolerable interrupted dol- discard m e thought fit, Yes—that was my y gras Siero ar “Tt was I} meaning’! Bat ] your's, Ethel, was very, a5 dif- th gh 26 re re look me in| ferent!” \ ; . ae 5 r * No, Kao iPhas Las’ God is my judge,” cried the id me, mu lever!” cried the Countess, | Countes , passionately, “T swear ¥ 4 3 ita strong - shudder from his touch.| , “For heaven’s sake add not perjury and blas- eress !”” literally. rowled Adolphus with | phem interrupted Adolphus, with an air o¢ify. » “ Beautiful you once were, you | horror and affright, “ to the other stdpentedbe iene to my eyes!” rime ! Pi it is I ya swear—I who at God't el mster !” retorted Ethel, with ‘keenest bit- | witness——” * ta 4“ yop are a BY a fiend in my| “No, no!” almost shrieked for Bihel: « iF | come not a per} er! become not a blasphe ~ re was Baily a inute’s. Iilonds ,—during | mer!” | 1 those two being ict d upon each other, It was nowSie arl of Lascelles who stamped | . the strongest feelings of horrox, aversion, and his foot with rage; and he began pacing the room =| | ithing expressed in théir coufitenances. Their | like a lion chafing in his den: while Hthel took. yes appeared to burn: yet they did not shoot| shorter but’ not et agitated walks to and fro on forth fitful glances—it was with a steady fire | the hearth-rug. | . shining from the eyes of one towards the eyes'of} “ Adolphus,” she. at len ength said, abruptly stop- the deer, transfusing mutual abhorrence! Yet| ping him, and looking dly upon his counte- Fie er seemed to dare avert those eyes from | nance, “ yous e forgotten that you told @ thet ther, lest it should be.thought there was | me the tale of that i intet w with the Earl, when ‘ailing and -cowar or W h | he revealed to you that you were not his son. Oh, ‘it be, ry c ain it/was that Adolpb: ~~ us obstinate! Remain silent, if you will: thé°eri e upon Ethel, —do not persevere in a course as dread | resolute in Sane, dastard!———-do not, by attributing ne, for an instant entertain ope ake me think it was not yowr hand ‘rated it! Had you not every not tr embling at the idea of