The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

40 THE COURT OF LONDON minutes he was almost completely unmanned by the violence of his emotions. Weakened and enfeebled as he was by illness, it cannot be wondered if his mind were sympathet- ically attenuated, and that his feelings should for a space triumph over his habitual fortitude. “No, it is not a Bastile which you have to dread,’’ ob- served the prefect, after a pause, ‘‘ but if you still continue obstinate — ”’ “You mean,” interrupted Loftus, bitterly, ‘if I still continue to spurn proposals alike dishonourable and tyran- nical to a degree — ”’ ‘Well, we will not dispute as to words,’’ resumed the prefect, rising from the seat which he had taken by the young gentleman’s: bedside, “‘ but perhaps you will under- stand me when I state that if we have no Bastiles, yet we have madhouses; and should you persevere in your present course — ”’ ‘Enough, enough!” ejaculated Loftus, all his wonted fortitude now returning to his aid. ‘“‘ You may consign me to a lunatic asylum on pretences as base as those which have made me a prisoner at the prefecture; but all the diabolical tyranny of the mad-doctor, and all the coercion of the strait-waistcoat, the barred chamber, the iron chains, and the ferocious keeper, will not prove more effective with me than the persuasion of his Excellency the Prefect of Police.”’ And as Jocelyn Loftus gave utterance to these words, he surveyed the French functionary with a calm but noble dignity which was more impressive than an angry defiance would have been. ‘“ ‘Then you refuse your signature to this bond? ” said the prefect, moving toward the door. ‘“T do,” was the firm reply. ‘‘ And now, before you leave me, sir, let me remark that the day will come when you may perhaps repent of your conduct toward one who never in- jured you. Indeed, if there be a spark of generous feeling in your nature, if you have aught of that chivalry in your soul for which your nation is so Justly famed, you must shrink from the unworthy position which you are occupying, namely, that of the despots’ tool. No honourable man would consent to be the gaoler of an innocent person under such circumstances.” Gomicbdooks (E(0)