The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

THE OUTRAGED NOBLEMAN 43 hounds of justice to hunt you to that destruction which you have escaped once.” Having thus given vent to the menaces which his outraged feelings suggested, the Earl of Desborough quitted the room, ’ banging the door violently behind him. He repaired to his wife’s chamber, which was darkened by the heavy curtains being drawn over the windows. Around the bed several persons were speaking in those solemn whispers in which words are exchanged by the couch of an invalid. Two physicians, a nurse, and three of the noble lady’s female attendants were gathered there, watching the patient, who was sleeping, but with an uneasy and convulsing slumber. ‘‘ What was the cause of this sudden fit? ”’ inquired one of the physicians, addressing himself to the principal lady’s- maid. : ““T do not know, sir,’ was the reply. ‘‘ The earl and her ladyship were inspecting a picture in a room down-stairs, when suddenly a fearful shriek echoed through the house. Weran to the parlour from which it proceeded, and we found the earl dreadfully agitated and her ladyship insensible.”’ “Ah! some family matter, doubtless,’ observed the physician. | “Is there any danger, sir? ’”’ inquired the lady’s-maid. “The greatest danger,’ was the prompt reply. “ Your noble mistress has received a shock which may end fatally, or perhaps impair the nervous system for the remainder of her days.” ‘“‘ Oh, my poor mistress! ’’ sobbed the dependent, who was devotedly attached to Lady Desborough. It was at this moment that the earl entered the room; and, advancing on tiptoe toward the bed, he fixed his eyes with mournful earnestness upon the countenance of his wife. The maid servants retired, and the nobleman, seating himself by the side of the couch, took Eleanor’s hand in his own. It was cold, icy cold: he pressed it to his lips, he wept over it! Oh, the unhappy nobleman loved his wife tenderly, tenderly. For upwards of an hour did he remain watching over her as she slept her troubled sleep. No rancour was in his thoughts with regard to her, no animosity in his looks; (C(O) Anyi DOO