The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 263: what you’re looking at

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

the iz lady gave back the warm and luscious his es w her lips received from his own. “Then you love me, Eleanor—you love me 7” whispered Ramecy, after a long punse. * From the first momen ¢ thet I eaw yout ox. ropes a profoand interest in you,” was “and that at feeling Ms rapidly enined open me, a strengt more [ saw of you —the oftener I found myself in your society.” “Oh! ten thousand Gheaks for this neruremce my adored Eleanor!” excluimed Ramsey, smioo her hair of velvet blackness and softness above her high and noble forehead. “It is sweet to be beh ved by yon and if any one had whispered to me an ago that I was 90 soon to enjoy this elyaian sappinnes, I should have fancied that none but an sage! from heaven could have conferred it on me. deares:s Eleauor—four the first time in my iife do I experience the ineffable bliss of love—its mysterious depth—its unfathomable influence —its eestatic sway —ita voluptuous refinement ;—and I thank thee-—frem the profundities of my soul do I thank thee, for initiating me in this empyrean helicity. My existence has kindled into a new life: F feel th : consummation of all the golden dreams and brilliant hopes which my fancy has ever G&emed when wondering what love cou!d be.” « And I alse love fur the first time,” Rieanor, her bosom throbbing with an indescribable raoture. “Vor the first time!” exclaimed Rimeey. ‘' Is is possible that you have never loved till now ?” “ Never with the ardour—the devotion —the en- shusiasm that I feel for you,” she replied, her clear sof voice harmonising with that enchanting love- arse which invested her as with a halo. “ you love not your husband, sweet Mieanor?” said Rameecy, straining her to his breast, as she Isy half-reclining in his arme—her cheek his own, and their hair mingling. * No—I never loved him,” she answered empha- tieally ¢ “and I may perhaps rome day tell you all his attention, devotion, and ty a never succeed in gaining my affectionr. Yes —that secret may I perhaps reveal to you, Gus- @aves,” she added, a barning blush suffusing fteelf ever her countenance, as she at the same time cast @own her eyes in shame and confusion “But there was a moment—not very long ago—when I fancied that I loved another; and for a few days 3 mistook that transitory feeling for the real, pure, and trae passion. Such however it was not: for the instant that this other's conduct manifested me in ite intense selfishness and utter pro- Sixecy, 1 wae enabled to discard him from my | ora ment fe love -the sincurest, tenderest thls apt wase you to appear before my eyes as a character lees amiable and worthy than now I believe you to ba, I should still love—still cling to you—stil]l be peady and willing to follow you over the face of te my eel is this love of thine,” said Bumascy, im- THE MYSTERIES which you have just uttesbd———But, no matter—— I dare not tell you my secret now———" And her lovely head rested upon his shoulda, her bosom palpitating against his breast. “ To-night, my angel,” murmured Rumesy, in a low and melting tone—for his voice was fall of « rich masculine melody,—"“ to-night you qill render ready made your caresses so ineflably sweet.” The Countess whispered a reply ; and Ramesy's features became radiant with joy, and triamph, and sensual "Ob! what happiness awaits me,” he continued, in that same soft marm tone: “and how tedi- ously will pass the hours ustil the blissful moment when I shall clasp thee in my arma, confident of already standing on the threshold of paradise! No—not tediously will pass these bours - we shall be during the interval ; though in the presence of your husbend, we mast control our —restrain the ardour of our looks—and speak only in the usual terms of a cold courtesy,—nevertheless we shell enjoy each other's society, and in the secret depths of our hearte will exist the knowledge that we love and that we shall soon be happy! And when the witching hour ar- rives at last, my Eleanor—then jn the retirement of your own chamber, and when clasped in each other's arms, you can breathe in my ear that secret to which you alluded ere now.” “ Yee—for henceforth we will have no secrets replied the fond, impassioned women in whose veins the hot blood circulated like Nghtning. 8 ff iebte F E feet were thrust into slippers ;—and, half-reclining upon a sofa drawn near the fire, the Countess indescriba vases ctatiding in the window-recesess ;—and the warm end fragrant atmosphere seemed te be the voluptuous breath of love iteslf. How rapidly beat Eleanor'e heart os she lay half-reclined upon the sofa! A species of timidity minate , ~now glowing with the richest orimeen upoe her cheeks—now sinking into « strange palecess ; CORNICE OOO ©) CO