The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 389: what you’re looking at

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

386 THE COURT OF LONDON “ But for what purpose can the unprincipled young man have solicited this interview? ’’ asked the countess, amazed by the intelligence. “This letter briefly explains the motive,’’ responded the earl. ‘‘ Feeling the very foundations of his existence break- ing up, and conscious that some unknown but terrible malady is hurrying him to the tomb, he has been stricken with re- morse, and he proposes to render his victim an act of justice which will at least prove his contrition and enable Fernanda to return into society without the blush of consctous shame upon her cheeks.”’ “This intelligence would be indeed welcome,” exclaimed the countess, ‘ were I convinced that Fernanda possesses a disposition of a nature calculated to admit of such a com- promise. For I need scarcely remind you that she is a being who can pursue no middle course; all her passions and sentiments verge into extremes. Madly has she loved Arthur Eaton once, profoundly does she hate him now. A few months back, and she would have died to save him from even the slightest pang; but when the fatal conviction burst upon her that she was betrayed by a faithless seducer, she vowed that she would devote herself to a deadly ven- } geance.”’ “It must be for you to reason with her, Eleanor,” ob- served the nobleman. ‘“‘ In a few minutes Mr. Eaton will be here, and in the evening, if you can make it convenient, you might pay a visit as privately and secretly as possible to my unhappy niece.” “ Nothing shall prevent me,’ answered the countess. “ But you must now excuse me for a few minutes, while I make some change in my toilet, as I cannot receive Mr. Eaton in this déshabillé.”’ The lady quitted the room; and in about a quarter of an hour she returned, dressed in an elegant manner. Ii she were charming in her negligent attire, she was now superbly handsome in the dark velvet dress which she wore. Her hair, previously arranged in massive bands, now fell in locks of raven brightness upon her naked shoulders; and instead of the negligent morning cap, pearls as beautiful and as costly as those of Cleopatra encircled her polished brow. The exquisite grace of her form, the statuesque carriage of the arching neck and well-proportioned bust, the elegance CONNIE NCO KS €o m