The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

106 THE COURT OF LONDON a manner that will make me love you. When I first revealed my countenance to you the other day, you declared that I was adorable and that you could worship me. Well, give me a proof that you are really gratified by the possession of a young and handsome wife. You see that 1 am somewhat vain; but then, I know that I am really beautiful.” ‘‘ And what proof of my affection do you require? ”’ asked the nobleman, snatching a few kisses, and indulging in cer-. tain little toyings provoked by the splendidly white neck and remarkably low dress of his young wife. ‘“‘T demand,” she said, seating herself upon his knee and placing her lips close to his ear, so that her cheek touched his own and her rich glossy tresses swept his shoulder, “‘ I demand that you renounce not one oo“ of the grand scheme which made us join our hands and our fortunes a few days ago; and I demand likewise that ore place implicit confi- dence in me, and yield entirely to my guidance in everything which I shall propose respecting Arthur Eaton.” “IT promise all you ask, Fernanda,’ murmured Lord Holderness, bewildered and overcome by mingled feelings of voluptuousness and ambition, and also by the fear of turning this delicious calm into a violent storm. ‘‘ You promise that you will not again oppose my views? ”’ she said, inquiringly; “‘ and you pledge yourself likewise to second them? ”’ “Yes, dear Fernanda,’’ was the reply. ‘ But will you really love meif I become thus docile and obedient toward you? Will you make me happy in this world, if I consent to dare eternal misery in the next ?”’ ‘Become all that I wish you to be,”’ aus the lady, emphatically, ‘‘ and I will adore you. But if you would indeed acquire my love, Walter, if you would have me devote myself fervidly and enthusiastically to you, and you only, you must hesitate at nothing that I may suggest.” ‘‘T will prove myself a very tiger of ferocity,’”? murmured Lord Holderness, ‘‘ if you only continue tender, affectionate, and kind as you are now.” And he strained his beautiful wife to his breast. ““ The tenderness, the affection, and the kindness which I am now manifesting toward you,” said Fernanda, in a soft, low tone, ‘‘ are mere coolness and reserve in comparison COMIC OOO