The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

OO SS who, like myself, can look the world in the face but who dares not take a survey of his own soul. In a word, such a man must first place himself entirely in my power, before I will consent to place myself in his; and he who will do this to prove his devotion, not only gains: my love for evermore, but may likewise enjoy the use of those superfluous thousands which ] now bestow upon thankless relatives or equivocal public institu- tions.” “T have dwelt with an interest the gnost pro- found, dear lady, upon every word whigsh has fallen from your lips,” said the noblemaa, bewil- dered by her language and intoxicated bydéhe fond ardour of her caresses; “and I now oamprehend you fally. But suppose that I was 4o¢tell you, while becoming a candidate for your gesmarent love, that ‘I have never committetadem the re- velation of sthieh would place mein qugr power, and that J-am thorefore unable to gee you the guaramees: which you require.” ‘* Wepe you.to tell mo thisnanah, Sugene,” re- pli «fhe lady, in a tone of prompt decision, “ “] should got believe you—and indestigeu-wouid at once.destroy all the eanfidence siisidh di might be previously dispesed in yeu. Mesanss there breathes not a man «who has dynstell Bimneclf to pleaaure and who ie:ymown to and even -profligate,—theve breathes met euch a man who.gan hold his deed erect ané proclaim himgelf sinless. No—it,isimppossible! And, snameqme:, Wore -you-to-dasehepatho sugh an assertion mgny ' gare, it wauldtake the sapestef an insult : ¢emp- much esit would de conteagitag your own vawahed arran with my imsilty anf abame.” * Dearest lady, I do not.gtetend to be igumana- “ py movew) layer conisiean" a now you inspize-mewith an wessadiog confidanaa; Bug handsome Enagerre !" ox- claimed the i impaagioned vunkpewn ; an@iustening her lips to his mouth, she bestowed upen 80 long, juxurious, and bumping a kiss that his form quivered with a perfect freney of ecstatic sensa- tions, and he experienced all the delicious ebriety of the soul's thrilling raptares. Yes, now I be- gin to adore you, my Eugene,” continued the Cir- cassian Slave, her bosom heaving and falling with voluptuous tumult against his chest: “and I will make you the god of my worship—the idol of my devotion, if you have only the courage to gain my epnfidence. Oh! I already feal that we are des- fined to arrive at a full and complete anderstand- ing with each other ;—and I now rejaice at the deception which you practised in order to take the place of your friend Florimel. For yon, my Eugene, ean apprasiate the love and tenderness which I am prepsred to beatow upan you, and which will place ell I posseas at your disposal! Yeas—there is no aacyifice that I will not make for you, Eugene, in order ta prove the stren strength—the axjour—the permanence ofmy attachment; and in return you will ever. be as kind and amiable as you are now.” “Qh! every-word you utter consiitutes.an irre- sistible jomptation, gyrom that thou art!” myrmur- ed the pow in with passion and with desire to a degree which rendered him seoklesa of ewery thing in the whole world save None aia hon nid oo viately, ores i the. 80 com & prey to Witohing infiugnce of womay, as I now am~—-vover weal ap ntterly eaphrallad by, the magic of ber THE MYSTERIES. voice, the tender persuasivenegs who. like myself, can look the world in the face | voice, the tender persuasiveness of her tongne her tongue, and the ardour of her careases. Oh! to behold your countenance—to look into the depth of those eyes which must be so beautiful—to gaze upon the ex- pressive softness of those features which are fau!t- less even to the touch as I pass my hand over them —to behold the flush of love and pleasure upon yourcheeks—and to see that bosom’s heaving which I now feel,—Oh! wheat sacrifice would I not make —what price would I not pay? Yes; even if it were placing my mor than honour— wy very ex- istence—in your power, I should not hesitate !” “(hen you do love me, Eugene—you love me, although you have not agen pry face?” exclaimed the Circassian Slave, throwing fresh fervour if pos- sible into her caresseg and amoretbrilling tender- ness into her voice. “ But I have stready told you that I an beantiful—and {twill bea,proud moment for me when I'can revealary-qowmrtagance to your eyes! Oh! thea, I shell nut femthovesult of the impression whioh will Seanmbem_pen you; on the contrary, I have vanity -enemph te believe that you will bless the deg dagt quevegneh a mistress to yourg@ems. Memeoverr—anid yeu will exouse me der agein touching qpoen such s salbject at such a gacment,—=l know thet yoursesowrom have been welt geartove of glengure and a . pain ouslasetit ; and tt aski bo my joy and delight to bring Gack snyfies to gemr lips by placing some fifteen or 4weanty theusaed pounds in your hands. Yes, I mnwethat exw at any disposal at the pre- sent Gre; endl t ts your'u, Rugese—gour's, as a encll token of my lowes a proof of my confi- Genoo-~-ae-em quepest of that compact of affection nad afq-qeoret anilerstamling-which must hence- forth Gind us to each other. And think not, my heguiseme Eugene, ¢hat I shall prove a jealois ‘andotress, orthateay ridiculous whims or despotic exactions om wy gaft will instill the feast drop of enxil into theoup of pleasure which-we are to quaff with each other. No; my whole study shall be to ensure your happiness ; ; and if you choose to make some deserving woman the partner of your rank and fortune, I shall not regafd herasa rival. Bee few occasional leisure moments to devote to one who has already conceived a sudden buat not the Jess powerful affection for you, and who is dis- posed to make every sacrificeto ensure your felicity and retain your friendship until death.” There was something indescribably winning in the carcsses that accompanied this persuasive ap- peal which went searchingly to the innermost depths of the nobleman’s heart; and there was likewise something so mysteriously romantic and yet so full of truth and sincerity in the language and the manner in which the impassioned woman offered her love and her riches for the acceptance of that man whose ardent temperament made hin rejoice at the possession of the former and whose almost beggared purso caused Bim to snatch greedily at the latter,—there wis something so strange, ao full of a magic charm, so profoundly touching in all this, that the strongest mind would have yielded and the most auspicious nature would ‘have given way. The reader will not tharefore be surprised if Lord Montgomery surrendered himself, sou) ang body, tothe ineffable witchery of that mysterious inflnuenpe;,— and anxious to behold the reslisation of all that the enameured lady had shadowed forth in language alike ao. tauder-end so glowing, he folded er in an (CO cause I shail rest assured that you will still finda. | a . “SL Se 8 Ee ee - are v— DOO (CO