The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 296: what you’re looking at

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

266 THE COURT OF LONDON ness arising from a sense of the beauties and glories of nature. ‘‘ The prospect from the roof of the building must be charming to a degree. Methinks that our hearts, Eleanor, may derive a balm from the contemplation of the rich and varied banquet which the hand of spring has spread out on nature’s table to feast the eye; and it may be also that from the harmonious blending of such varied shades, and tints, and hues, our minds may glean a lesson teaching us how to smooth off the asperities of our own feelings and lead them to commingle in friendly unison.” The countess threw a look of amazement, curiosity, and doubt upon her husband, the longest and most earnest look which she had dared to fix upon him ever since the 4 murder. At first she wondered what he meant by devoting his thoughts to the beauties of nature when the stern realities of the world were pregnant with so fearfully absorbing an interest for him as well as for herself; then she was seized with an anxiety to discover at what aim his remarks were tending; and lastly she was plunged into a strange uncer- tainty as to whether he had some sinister meaning, or whether he had spoken frankly and ingenuously under the influence of an improving tone of mind. ‘“‘ Do you wish to ascend to the roof of the mansion? ”’ she asked, as her regards were once more averted. “If you be agreeable, Eleanor,” answered the earl. ““ Indeed, I should wish you to accompany me, for I have an idea that some good will result from the prospect that will greet your eyes on that eminence.” “ Be it so, then,’”’ observed the countess; and, with feelings vaguely alarming, though full of uncertainty, suspense, and curlosity, she began the ascent of a winding staircase which led to the roof of the mansion. | _ The earl followed her, and during the three or four minutes occupied in the task of toiling up the flight, he continued to discourse with a cheerfulness that raised Eleanor’s wonder to the highest pitch and augmented her doubts to a positive terror. “When the mind is fevered,” said the earl, ‘‘ any change of scene, however trivial, any departure, however slight, from the ordinary routine, is productive of incalculable benefit. I long to breathe a fresher and purer air upon an eminence. The atmosphere was stifling in the garden below. Besides, CONNIEIOOKS m