Thrice Lost, Thrice Won — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

252 “Post ‘Tenebras Lux the idea of playing incognito—in seeing your ‘i eetratious ] your hopeless infatuation, for your own wife—your despised } little Essie! Besides, I had very serious doubts of you. monsieur. You were in love with Count De Montreuil’s daughter; but supposing she accepted your love, and your f yunaway wife turned up, how would you act? Alwyn, if you f had done other than as you have done, you would never have known me! I would have gone back to France, and never looked upon your face again. But principle conquered pas- } sion—you nobly redeemed the past, and made me too happy for words to tell.” ff There was an eloquent silence, and Mr. Bartram, kissed his ) wife. Then | : “Does the count know?’ he inquired. ; “I told him to-day.- You should have seen his pit Al- f _wyn; and Leonie’s, for of course I told her too.” She f laughed merrily at the recollection. “Poor Leonie! I don’t f think she will return with us to Paris. Ever since I let the f murder out, she has shut herself up in her room en penitence. | But I don’t despair of her ultimate recover.’ “Neither do I,” said Mr. Bartram, rather cynically. “We | don’t break our hearts in these latter days. But, Essie, look J here—how did you manage the other night, when indulging in your private theatricals? I-left you behind me in the f tenement house, and I found you here before me, elaborately dressed, upon my arrival. Explain that hittle circumstance, J madame.” i “Tt is very easily explained,” was the answer. “You § ~walked, and it took you fully an hour. IL rode, and it did not J take me: quarter that time. The carriage was waiting for me — in the next street, and as for my toilet, I possess ». maid who is past-mistress of het art. I am afraid it was rather silly, | all that acting, but I know I enjoyed it thoroughly, and you } deserved the punishment. How delightfully miserable you | used to look!” “You heartless Xantippe! But the time of retribution has | come; you shall be uid back in your own coin. Oh, Estella, Estella!” with a sudden change of voice, a sudden, passionate ff clasping to his heart—“is this all an enchanting dream?) Will I ever be able to realize my great bliss? What have | done to be so blessed 2?” — | _ She lay on his broad, true breast, pale ee very excess of | JOY. “We needed the discipline,” she murmured. “We will be | all the happier in the future for the sorrow of the past. | tella and her husband wi will never doubt each other more,’ | | Three days later, Count De Monteoatt ‘his dite an i comicbooks.c