The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 369: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXXVI THE SECOND ORDEAL On hearing these words, the Marchioness of Bellenden was seized with the sudden pallor of one on whose soul an accusation falls with the force of a blow abruptly dealt upon the head with a sledge-hammer; and though perhaps this accusation was not altogether unexpected on Laura’s part, yet was her power of dissimulation inadequate to conceal the effect which it produced upon her. “Your ladyship has compelled us to pass through an ordeal,’’ continued the earl, his eyes flashing with malignant hate and a savage triumph ; “but I warned you ere now that your turn would come. The first ordeal, then, is passed; the second is on the point of commencing. We have been tortured beneath the harrows of your spite and rancour; you shall now undergo the same pleasant treatment at our hands.” ‘“And inasmuch as you have summoned us hither that we may all three sit as judges and try our own case for our- selves,” added Fernanda, her looks lowering ominously and her eye shining with a sinister light, “it is but fair and proper that you should listen as attentively to anything that we may have to bring forward, as we did to the evidence adduced on your side.” “T cannot object to such a course,” said the marchioness, who had by this time recovered her wonted self-possession and placid assurance. ‘‘ But I presume that you do not deny the charges which have been so fully proven against you by my witnesses.” “It is not’ worth while to deal in duplicity, Lady Bellen- den,” responded the earl, resuming his seat; ‘‘ and there- fore I will at once plead guilty, on my own and Fernanda’s 339 COU G Doo Sj (GO)