The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 288: what you’re looking at

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

268 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ““ Nevertheless,” interrupted the earl, somewhat severely, for he by no means liked to be reminded of the unexpected and unintended turn which his previous stratagem had taken when he introduced Christian into the bosom of his family, — “‘ nevertheless, you shall marry Isabella. I have made up my mind upon the point, and when once I am resolved upon a thing, it is as good as done.” “ My dear father,” answered Lord Osmond, very seriously, “it is impossible I can take as a wife a young lady whose affections are engaged to another. It would be indelicate — cruel — ”’ ‘“‘ Stuff and nonsense!” interrupted the earl, vehemently. “ T tell you it is already as good as settled.”’ ‘““ Not exactly so,”’ rejoined Adolphus, with a firmness that was almost indignant, “‘ for you have yet to obtain the con- sent of the two principal persons.” “‘ Tsabella will yield to my wishes,” said the earl; ‘“ indeed she must; she is dependent upon me, — that is to say, she believes herself so — ”’ ‘‘ And is she not?” inquired Adolphus, with astonish- ment. ‘“ Never mind,” rejoined the earl, tartly. ‘‘ I tell you she will assent, and I reckon upon your compliance likewise.”’ “Deceive yourself not for a moment, my dear father,’’ said Adolphus. ‘I cannot —I will not marry my cousin Isabella.” ‘‘ And I say you can and you shall,” rejoined the earl, and he spoke with a decisiveness that appeared to have some- thing more in it than a mere whim or caprice. “TI see that this interview had better terminate at once,” said Adolphus, coldly, and he was rising from his seat, when he was struck by the imperious gesture with which the earl bade him retain it. “Now, understand me well, Adolphus,” continued the old nobleman, “‘ I have set my mind on this match for more reasons than one, and I intend it to take place. You had better yield with a good countenance, or you will compel me to make revelations which will perhaps somewhat startle you.” These ambiguous words instantaneously associated them- selves in Lord Osmond’s mind with those former ones in reference to Isabella which had struck him as peculiar, and CORMICEOOOKS