The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

122 THE COURT OF LONDON in that state of seminudity she extended her bare and exquisitely rounded arm, crying, “’Tis well, my lord! you have done your worst for the moment; you triumph doubtless. But whom is it that you thus crush? A poor weak woman, who loved you at first and who would have remained faithful to you ever, had not your neglect chagrined her and your infidelities alienated her affection from you. Can you wonder that I have gone wrong? Heaven is my. witness that, with your example before my eyes, it would have been impossible for me to go right. But though you triumph now for the moment, yet may the tables be turned against you. In one respect, however, you will have your wish. You will get rid of a wife whom your constant prof- ligacies render it inconvenient for you to keep, and whom your extravagancies make it impossible for you to maintain. From hence I depart at cnce, yes, and away from London I speed, perhaps from .England altogether. One thing I implore you,’ she added, her voice suddenly becoming full of agitation and her looks replete with plaintive emotions, as she turned her eyes from her husband to her lover, and then back again on her husband, “ and this is, that you will not endanger your lives for one so little worth that proceeding as I? ”’ “Madam,” said the Earl of Curzon, who had listened with impatience to this speech, ‘‘ of that matter I am the best judge.’’ Thus speaking, he turned abruptly away and haughtily quitted the room; but recollecting something, he again turned back and said, “‘ The carriage which called for your ladyship at Lady Lechmere’s now waits below and is at your service.”’ “Ah! even this crowning degradation has he put upon me, — to expose me to the very lackeys of our house- hold! ’’ exclaimed the countess, in a tone of rending bitter- ness, a tone in which the accents of grief penetrated no longer, but were displaced by those of vindictive hate and rage, for she felt that to have brought the carriage to that house of infamy whither he had traced her was an insult of so cowardly and atrocious a character that, bad though she might be, it exceeded all the bounds of legitimate chastise- ment. Lord Curzon gave a scornful laugh in response to her E@ORNIELOOO KS, (EC) m