The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 275: what you’re looking at

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

Ministry was not merely a recompense for his past to be: for there was something about him but little encouraging to one who had so important a boon to solicit. Ina word, he seemed an indi- vidual who could be merciless and implacable if he chose; and poor Kate was for the first few in- stants tortured by her apprehensions. He did not at once address her; but with his eyes fixed upon her countenance, evidently waited for her to give an explanation of her business. With trem- bling hands she drew forth the letter which the Marquis of Villebelle had sent, addreased to the Minister; and as she presented it, her the : THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. papers, lie the documents connected with the case. I learn from his Excellency the Captain-General of Catalonia, that by virtue of the authority in- im, he has temporarily F inguire wherefore you yourself are so interested in this man? The Marquis of Ville- merel you as “ Edward Russell is my affianced husband,” an- swered Kate, the colour now mantling vividly upon her cheeks, down which tears were at the same time trickling. “ Ah! the romance of a love-affair!” ejaculated the Minister, with a smile: and as Mies Marshall ing, to be encountered in the prosecution of my object! In the midst of a forest my life was within a hair’s breadth of succumbing to the murderous designs of as- sassins———"’ “Ah, I recollec@!” exclaimed the Minister. “The papers have been forwarded to me; and me- thought when I ere now read your name in the Marquis of Villebelle’s letter, it was not altogether unfamiliar. Yes—I have perused those documenta, sent by the Alcalde of the to the investigation took place; and sitions it is indeed but too clear rienced @ very narrow escape. But i Bors TH “Oh! I have endured your Excell all +E E ef ency’s knowledge,” uding to her arrest by the C but instantaneously recollecting an episode to which, for Coun sake, she ought not even to have quickly added, “ But no matter, sir! have , will be esteemed light indeed, the result should prove favoarable to my f f i Es i = E 14 Fe om Oh, let me not nmplore your Excellency in vain !” - The young woman—full of acute suspense, not knowing what to hope at the hands of thi man who gased upon her in a way that filled her attention which might be replete wi compassionate interest, but which nevertheless had a certain expression of libertine ardour; and this expression it was that caused the trouble which was racking the afflicted applicant. “You are too intelligent, Miss ” he said, “not to comprehend that this offender—to use no harsher term-—has rendered himself ob- (COL (C DOO CS (COL