The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

AN ARISTOCRATIC PAIR 17 he was prepared to brand with all the ignominy of exposure, prosecution, and divorce, — this unprincipled aristocrat retraced his way homeward with the deliberate intention of seducing that selfsame wife’s confidential attendant. But is this flagrant case an isolated one, or 1s it a mere type of man’s too frequent conduct? Alas! yes; the husband may sin with comparative impunity, but if the wife, no matter how neglected and ill-used at home, yields to temptation, there is nought but the highest chastisement and most signal penalty for her. Truly, woman has her wrongs, which should engage the thoughts and enlist the sympathies of the philanthropist and moralist in this age when all the world is crying out for political and social reform. The Earl of Curzon retraced his way homeward; but just as he arrived in front of his house, he beheld a female, dressed in the well-known apparel of Gertrude herself, ascending the area steps. Yes, it was her cloak, which he had often observed as becoming her so well, her bonnet, which he had frequently noticed as being worn so coquettishly. But a thick black veil was drawn over her countenance, — a modest precaution which all respectable and well-behaved young women of her class were wont to adopt in those times, when the streets were comparatively unprotected with the wretched guardianship of old watchmen, and when roistering blades and impudent gallants were accustomed to insult every woman whose unveiled features happened to please their fantasy. ‘“’ Gertrude, my dear girl,’’ said Curzon, assuming his bland- est tones, “‘ where are you going ? ” But, instead of stopping, as the earl had hoped and expected, she brushed-past him with evident indignation and hurried along the street. He was, however, almost imme- diately at her side again; and, in a voice of gentle remon- strance, he said, “‘ Why are you so cruel? You know that I love you, Gertrude, — yes, ten thousand times better than I love your mistress; my looks must have told youso. Come, will you not speak to me, — not a single word? Throw up that veil, and let me see whether you are really and posi- tively angry. I would wager anything that you are smiling with a delightful wickedness behind that thick screen. Ger- trude, do you hear me? Surely you do not require so much coaxing? ”’ COM a LOOKS (CO)