The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

88 THE COURT OF LONDON her devoted abigail’s glance, and she knew that she was saved. ‘“ Did your ladyship ring? ”’ asked Gertrude, in a tone as tranquil and respectful as usual. | ‘“ No,” answered Editha. ‘‘ You can retire.’ The abigail accordingly withdrew; but scarcely had the door closed behind her when the Earl of Curzon, starting up in the couch, exclaimed, ‘ Ah! your ladyship has. manceuvred well! You were doubtless anxious that a witness should thus behold us together, so that there may be what the lawyers call a condonation on my part in respect to your bygone infidelities.”’ “My lord, this to me!’ exclaimed Editha, her eyes flashing fire, but rather with the triumph that blazed up in her bosom than with the anger which she assumed. “ Yes,’ continued the Earl of Curzon, springing from the couch and hastily huddling on the slippers, trousers, and dressing-gown in which he had sought that boudoir during the night, “ you think, madam, that I am either to be deceived by mystification or overreached by stratagem? That things have occurred which I cannot understand, I do not deny; but you will lean upon a fragile support if you fancy that because I have been seen in your bed after the discovery of your infidelities, I have deprived myself of legal remedy. Ah! fool that 1 was ever to have fancied that you, issuing from such a precious stock, would do honour to the name of Curzon! But, thank God, I possess the proofs of your infidelities and crimes; and you will perhaps understand me,”’ he added, with a sardonic malig- nity, ‘‘ when I declare that to the guilt of adultery have you superadded the black turpitude of forgery.” ‘‘ My lord!’ exclaimed Editha, the richest crimson glow- ing beneath the soft duskiness of her skin, and mantling thus warmly not only upon the brow and the cheeks, but also the neck, the bare shoulders, and the naked bosom of the patrician lady, “‘ you are a coward thus to insult a defence- less woman. If I had a dagger or a pistol at hand, I would lay you dead at my feet.” ‘“‘ Editha,’’ exclaimed the earl, bending upon her a look in which wonder and scorn, -uncertainty and hate, were strangely commingled, “can it be possible that you are unaware of what took place last night? Has there really Gomicdooks (E(@)