The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 393: what you’re looking at

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

390 THE COURT OF LONDON word, that my footsteps are carrying me with such frightful speed to an early grave, there is scarcely merit on my part in making any sacrifice for Fernanda’s sake, whereas, on her side, 1t would be insane were she to refuse the honourable title of a wife. Alas! she would soon become a widow, and then, without shame, could she in due time bestow her hand on some happier object of her affections.” “It certainly is not our wish to reproach you for the past, Arthur,” said the Earl of Desborough, much affected by the young man’s language, while the countess sought not to restrain nor to conceal her tears; ‘‘ and vour present con- duct,’’ added the nobleman, ‘“‘ deserves our commendation, yes, even our gratitude. Believe me, therefore, that nothing shall be omitted .by Lady Desborough or myself, nothing left unessayed, in order to induce F ernanda to perform that which now becomes a duty.’ ‘““ And if persuasion be required to move her, my lord,” said Arthur, “ think you that if I were to present myself to her in the retirement where she has been placed, exhibit to her the wretched, wasted being that I am, bid her gaze upon my colourless cheeks and my fire-fevered eyes, — oh, if I were to do this, and even fall upon my knees before her, demanding that pardon which a man upon his death-bed has a sieht to entreat and expect at the hands of even his bitterest: enemy, — were | to do all this, she never could refuse to grant my prayer and suffer me to lead her to the altar.” The countess exchanged a rapid glance with her husband, whose look conveyed an affirmative sympathetically re- sponsive to her own thoughts; and, turning toward the Honourable Mr. Eaton, she said: “‘ This evening at eight o’clock you shall accompany me to the place where Fernanda is residing. But as the visit must be strictly private, and it would be as inconvenient for me to go with you in your carriage as for you to occupy a seat in mine, — in a word, as this proceeding on our part must not be known to any of our dependents, — I will proceed with the earl at seven o’clock to make a call at St. James’s Palace, and at eight we will meet you, Mr. Eaton, in Pall Mall. You will have a hackney-coach in attendance; and I will then accompany you to Fernanda’s present abode.’ The earl signified his approval of this project and Mr. Eaton took a temporary leave of the noble pair. ECORNIE OOO KS (EO) m