The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

84 THE COURT OF LONDON you beheld me, your wife, her whom you have neglected and whom you have perhaps fancied to be your enemy. But wherefore did- you extinguish those lights so suddenly? Is it that I am loathsome and hateful to you, that you cannot bear to look upon me? Or is it that you yourself feel remorse for the past and shame for the present, and dare not meet my gaze? If it be so,—and sincerely, most sincerely do I hope it 1s, —then is there reason to expect that all the best feelings of your nature are not extinguished within you. But wherefore do you not answer me? Ah! you are astounded at this unexpected meeting with me, or perhaps you are listening in silent disgust and scorn at what you ~ may haply deem a vulgar curtain-lecture? But suppose that I have good news for you? Suppose that I could tell you of wealth and prospects of happiness? Would you not listen to me with feelings of interest then? ”’ The reader can perhaps imagine far better than we can describe the sudden stupefaction which seized upon the prince when Mrs. Malpas first began to speak, — indeed, as the very opening word she uttered fell upon his ears. That word was a name, the name of Percy, her husband’s Chris- tian name. The truth flashed to the mind of the prince in a moment: it was her husband whom she was expecting there. That stupefaction became a positive consternation as she went on speaking. He saw that she fancied she was addressing herself to her husband, whom she was disposed to forgive for his past offences toward her; and he felt that this was scarcely the mood in which a woman could bear to be told that it was not the husband whom she expected, but an interloper who had sought her presence by stratagem and was now listening to her in the dark. But still something must be done. For a moment the prince thought of beating a quick retreat, but then he recollected that he had heard Tash lock the door behind him, and deep was the imprecation which in the depth of his soul the royal voluptuary vented on the head of the officious captain who had brought him into this strange dilemma. Retreat was therefore impossible, and yet again recurred the thought that something must be done. The lady was still going on talking, still delivering herself oi those expres- sions which we have just now recorded. ‘The prince grew more and more bewildered. She had asked why the candles ECORNIECLIOOKS (E(0) m