The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

98 THE COURT OF LONDON “You wrong me, Francis,’ ejaculated the countess, solemnly. ‘‘ I swear as solemnly as thou hast sworn, that the prince — ”’ ‘““I know what you would say, Eleanor, dear Eleanor,”’ interrupted the earl: ‘“ you surrendered not yourself to the arms of the prince. Oh, this I saw on the following morning, this I understood beyond all possibility of doubt when his Royal Highness came forth from his chamber. And I, who was sinking down into the very dust with humiliation, I, the husband, who had sought to pander to my own dis- honour, I, who had tutored myself to make every sacrifice of feeling for thy sake, I perceived at a glance that, instead of a night of love and pleasure, the prince had experienced a bitter mortification and a cruel disappointment. Then, oh, then, an indescribable pleasure seized upon me, and hurrying to my own chamber to conceal my joy, I wept like a child.” ‘‘ Merciful Heaven! Francis, how acutely have you suf- fered for the sake of a worthless woman!” exclaimed Eleanor, throwing herself into her husband’s arms and lavish- ing upon him the tenderest caresses. ‘ Oh, how sublime has been your self-devotion, how glorious your self-martyr- dom! Every mortal idea of generosity is outdone by this conduct of thine; and I shall know how to thank thee, my good, kind husband, ay, and likewise to demonstrate a lasting gratitude toward you. Unless, indeed,’ she cried, with hysterical abruptness, as a sudden thought struck her,— and at the same time she snatched herself away from his embrace, — “‘ unless, indeed, you loathe, detest, and abhor me, because I saved my honour from a prince only to sur- render it unto a criminal whose image is now as dreadful to contemplate as his presence was once necessary to my happiness.” And, falling back into her armchair, the countess fixed her frightened, anxious, deprecating looks upon the counte- nance of her husband. ‘‘ Have I not already declared that it is I who must ask your pardon over and over again?”’ cried the earl. ‘ But I shall not seek your forgiveness for what may not be for- given. No, I will endeavour to prove still further how anxious, how willing I am to make every reparation for the wrong I have done you, Eleanor, by becoming your husband. EOMUC OOO