The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XV THE MAIDEN’S CHAMBER It was nine o’clock in the evening when Bernard Audley issued forth from his house in the immediate neighbourhood of the cathedral, and, taking a circuitous route, bent his way toward the cottage which he had marked to be the scene of an infamous crime and an immense triumph. At short intervals he stopped and looked searchingly around to make sure that he was not watched or dogged by Lilian Halkin, and as the night was clear and beautiful, he could see to a considerable distance. Feeling certain that he was not observed nor followed, he pursued his way with increasing hope and confidence, his passions inflamed to an ungovernable extent by the wine which he drank after dinner. He was therefore not merely resolved to gratify these passions if opportunity should serve as he expected, but he had made up his mind, with a sort of desperation, to dare everything, almost to sacrifice everything, sooner than be baffled or disappointed. In this mood was it that the minor canon arrived, at about half-past nine, in the close vicinage of the cottage, and con- cealing himself in the shade of the hedge that surrounded the garden, he watched for the anxiously expected oppor- tunity. He had now an entire half-hour for sober and deliberate reflection — if he were capable of it; but he was not. His passions were goaded to a degree bordering upon madness; indeed, it was a madness that now inspired him. If occasionally, for an instant, the whispering of fear should arise in his soul and suggest the possibility of terrific conse- quences, he at once stifled the salutary warning, crushing it, as it were, beneath the iron heel of his indomitable resolve. Thus the half-hour passed without accomplishing any change 148 conicloookKks (CO nn