The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 400: what you’re looking at

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

THE SNAKE WITH THE LOVELY SKIN — 369 ‘And you heard enough to convince you that this man is a constable? ’’ added the lady. “I can tell you more, and that is, there are other officers in the square. Our arrest has been resolved upon.” ‘Let us die, Fernanda, let us die!’’ said the nobleman, clasping his hands in a sudden access of despairing horror. “Oh! my poor children, my orphan, neglected, ill-used daughters — “Yield not yourself up to vain lamentations, Walter,” interrupted his wife, in a stern tone. ‘“ Every instant is precious — ”’ ‘Yes, yes,” murmured Lord Holderness; “ we must die now to avoid a more dreadful fate a few weeks later. But the means — the means? ”’ ‘“ Here!’’ said Fernanda, producing two small phials from her bosom. “I have all along been prepared for the worst, and in providing for myself 1 was not selfish enough to forget you.” ‘One last embrace, Fernanda, one last kiss,’’ said the nobleman in a voice that was scarcely audible, as he took the phial which she proffered him. “ Oh, if you had never tempted me to evil, how happy we might be together; for now that I am about to surrender you to the cold embraces of death, you appear more lovely in my eyes than ever you were before, — lovely though you have always seemed! ”’ And snatching to his breast that snake with the charming skin, he covered her countenance with kisses. But disengaging herself from his arms, she said, while the fever of a strong excitement burned in her eyes and glowed upon her cheeks, “ Now, Walter, now! Let us court death while we have the courage,’ and she seated herself upon a sofa, while her husband took his place by her side. “We will drink together, Fernanda,’ whispered Lord Holderness, whom his wife’s dauntless example armed with an intrepidity equal to the fearful occasion. And with their eyes fixed upon each other, they placed the phials to their lips. In the adjacent room Mr. Crawley was anxiously awaiting the return of Lady Holderness in company with her husband, both of whom he was prepared to take into custody, when he was suddenly startled by hearing some object fall heavily in the adjoining apartment. | COnnicloooks (©)