The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

A HUSBAND’S SELF -MARTYRDOM 99 Listen, then, grant me your patience once more. What I propose is that you should institute a suit against me for cruelty, ill-treatment, and a continued series of cowardly and brutal acts toward you.” “Heavens! what mean you?’’ demanded the countess, all the timid entreaty of her manner changing into ineffable amazement. — ‘““T mean that you shall obtain a decree of divorce in the Ecclesiastical Court,’ responded the Earl of Desborough, “and the more important decree of separation will naturally follow in the House of Lords. To none of the legal steps thus taken shall I offer any opposition. Although the judicial proceedings will brand me as a cowardly ruffian who dared to ill-treat an amiable, excellent, and beautiful woman, yet shall I secretly rejoice at being thus placed under society’s ban, inasmuch as my self-martyrdom will constitute your release from those matrimonial bonds that link you to the side of a corpse. You will be free to marry again — ”’ ‘“‘ Never! ’”’ ejaculated the Countess of Desborough, once more starting to her feet, and now drawing her fine form as proudly up as if she had not just risen from a sick-bed; ““ never! ’’ she repeated, in a voice which went thrillingly, though musically sweet and clear, to the very soul of her husband. ‘ No, Francis, I am not base enough to avail myself of so much generosity, nor could I consent to the consummation of the tremendous wrong which would result toward yourself. What! consent to have you branded as a coward that could ill-treat a woman, — you who would sooner die than lift your hand against me, you who have never even uttered a harsh word in my hearing, you who have sought to make every sacrifice that an unheard-of generosity could possibly prompt! Listen to me, Francis, listen to me,” said Eleanor, her voice becoming thick with emotion and her manner growing as decided as that of a heroine of masculine mind. “ I am not altogether insensible to the same feelings which have hitherto governed you only, and henceforth I will endeavour to share them with you. Not that I can _ ever hope to outvie you in generosity, Francis, because that is impossible; but I may at least render myself more worthy of all your love than I have previously been. Again, then, do I beseech you to listen, to hear me, while I invoke Heaven to witness that from this moment forth I will be a good, (C(O) mG 6)(0)©) <Sii