The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

AFTER THE MURDER 49 ‘¢ And I say never, never also! ’’ exclaimed Meagles; who, © in spite of his horror at the deed which she had just com- mitted, could not help admiring the countess for her reso- lution to screen the innocent and suffer all the consequences of her turpitude. ‘‘ We must remove every trace of the fearful tragedy,” he added; “ and leave the rest to chance. Does your lordship feel equal to the task of assisting me to bury that corpse? ” and his voice sank to a low whisper, which seemed to mingle ominously with the rustling leaves. ‘“ Yes, I will assist you,” returned the nobleman, scarcely appearing to be aware of what he was saying or doing. ‘Then your ladyship will hasten indoors,” observed Meagles, ‘‘ and assure yourself that this night’s proceedings have passed unnoticed and unsuspected.” “ Let the earl go home,” said the countess. ‘I will re- main here and assist you in concealing the traces of my own work.” “No, no!” ejaculated Meagles, impatiently. ‘ Your absence will be remarked, whereas that of the earl will excite no particular attention. Do as I say, madam, or I wash my hands of the business.” ‘You shall be obeyed, Mr. Meagles,’’ said the countess. Then, grasping his hand and straining it with force, she whispered, ‘““My honour — my safety — my life, are now in your keeping — ”’ ‘“‘ And they are safe with me,” was the solemn and im- pressive rejoinder. As the moonbeams fell fully on the partially upturned countenance of Lady Desborough, Meagles saw that she fixed upon him a look of intense gratitude; and he experienced a cruel shock and a poignant pang at the thought that so splendid a creature had perpetrated such a crime. ‘‘ Now, my lord,’ he hastened to exclaim, as he turned toward the earl, ‘‘ you must lose no time in procuring a spade, while I will undertake to drag the corpse from the spot where it is now lying to this shrubbery, and there will we bury it.” The countess took her husband’s arm and led him rapidly away toward the mansion, while Meagles, after throwing a look of piercing scrutiny around to assure himself as far as he was able that the coast was clear, advanced toward the spot where the corpse lay. Naturally courageous and undaunted though he were, he COLUM boo eS mn