The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

244 THE COURT OF LONDON terrible still, Mr. Meagles,” said the unhappy wretch, “ if you persist in knowing my history.” “I do persist — I am anxious to hear it,’”’ returned Meagles, still with a cold shudder, as if the dreadful things that were coming already rose looming in spectral shapes and ghastly forms amidst the haze of distance. ‘‘ Do not be afraid to make me your confidant; if you have committed murder, I would not raise a hand against you, — no, nor even upbraid you, — for I should know that you are a victim, and not a criminal, that society is the real offender, and you only the instrument. Fear not, then, to reveal all, to confess every- thing, and you may expect pity, but not blame.”’ ‘* But, my good friend,’ exclaimed Melmoth, suddenly raising his voice as if it were a whirlwind, “ you will have to listen to atrocities that will make your blood run cold — ”’ “ Hush! hush!’ said Meagles, in alarm lest the man’s loud voice should be overheard. ‘* And your hair stand onend —”’ - ‘“* Hush! hush! I say.” ‘* And the very flesh creep upon your bones.” ‘‘ For God’s sake, moderate your tone.” ‘’ Ah! to be sure,’ exclaimed Melmoth; “ I forgot that we might be overheard. But are you prepared — ”’ -~“ Tam prepared to hear anything, no matter how dreadful — how appalling,’ responded Meagles. ‘ I shall not wince.” ‘Do not make too sure. Let me see what you can stand in the shape of horrors, how much your nerves can endure in the shape of monstrosities. But when did you return to London? ”’ ‘* Nearly a fortnight ago,’”’ answered Meagles. ‘‘ I received a pardon — a pardon for nothing — ”’ ‘“* Well, a fortnight ago,’’ said Melmoth, in a musing tone. ‘* But have you heard or read, since your return, of certain atrocities committed in churchyards, — how the dead have been dug up and horribly mutilated — ”’ _ “ Yes, I have read of those frightful proceedings,’”’ ob- served Tim, with a cold shudder. ‘‘ Have you done aught more shocking, more revolting, more unaccountably dam- nable than the freaks which the unknown monster has per- formed? ”’ ‘“‘ Ah! I see that you are not fitted to hear my tale,” said Melmoth, almost contemptuously. CONNKEIOOKS (E(@) m