Her Royal Lover: A Novel — page 323: what you’re looking at

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

HER ROYAL LOVER, 2 315 eyes of the invalid put to him. An interior combat was furiously fought in his soul, his pallor became deadly. Should he let the ex-ambassador die with- out learning this terrible secret? At last, making a violent effort: “Prince,” said he, “I must tell you the truth; I will tell you the whole truth. This man, who had introduced himself that night in your wife’s apart- ment, you have divined him, it was I!” A paroxysm of the old passion lulled to sleep seemed te vibrate again the almost extinguished pupils of the dying man. Like a tiger wounded by the hunter’s arrow, he endeavored, in spite of death, which was already encompassing him with its im- penetrable wings, to arise again to overthrow his enemy; his strength abandoned him. “That miserable woman has betrayed me then! She was your mistress!” “Stop! do not blaspheme!” cried Heiligenthal, moved by the majesty of the duty which he had to fulfill. There was but one criminal, but one coward. That criminal, that coward, is here before you Prince of Mineleko, him whom you perceived, the murderer of Kassan. It was I, and upon the Saviour’s cross, upon my head, I swear it to you, she is inno- cent! Ah! do not look at me with such horror. Yes, Ihave been vile, criminal, but if you knew to what an extent I have repented, although having escape the law, even you would feel pity. Ah! let me speak, and do not interrupt me. “Your wife obstinately refused to receive me alone, but desperate with passion I was determined whatsoever might happen to possess her. No matter at what price, she was necessary to me. But she whose love had been so great when we were GEomichbooks