The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

_ 114 THE COURT OF LONDON herself to the earl in order to save her mistress, and she was not the less inclined to do so on the present occasion. But still she asked herself, was it possible that the earl really believed her to be his wife? Or was all that he was now saying but a portion of some deeply settled scheme of revenge? | ‘“ Now you will believe that I have grown quite uxorious, my dear Editha,”’ he continued, “and you may think, per- haps, that I seem rather hke a lover than a husband. Well, be it so. You are beautiful, your temperament is warm and voluptuous, you have every qualification to fit you for the pleasures of love. Wonder not, therefore, if I thus rejoice at the opportunity which enables me to revel in your arms immediately on my return.”’ And now, as his own passions were worked up to an irresistible degree, the. kisses which he bestowed upon Gertrude became more ardent, more fervid, so that his companion was inspired with the same voleano-like passion which now animated himself. But we need dwell no longer upon this scene; suffice it to say, that the Earl of Curzon continued to affect the belief that he was really with his wife instead of Gertrude, and that the young woman, excited in her passions and bewil- dered in her ideas, surrendered up her person to her master. It was now close upon midnight, and Lord Curzon, gently disengaging himself from the embrace in which Gertrude held him, for it was she who had become amorous and tender now, said, ‘I believe you ordered the carriage at twelve? Come, put on your cloak and let us depart.” Gertrude, now more than ever wondering whether Lord Curzon really fancied that she was his wife, or whether he was still playing a studied part, felt about the room for the cloak which her mistress had left there for her use, and having put it on, she drew the hood far down over her countenance, as was her wont on these occasions. ’’ “Now, dearest Editha,”’ said the earl, still speaking in the kindest possible tone, ‘“‘ give me your arm.”’ Gertrude did so, not knowing what on earth was to be the end of the present adventure, for her heart was beating with the lingering sense of passion’s rapture, and also with vague misgivings of what might yet be coming. ‘The earl threw open the door of the room, and they emerged forth EORMICLNOO KS (E(0)