The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 293: what you’re looking at

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

A REVELATION 273 “A poor family’s who resided in some midland county which my wife traversed on her way to her friends in the north. This family, being heavily bribed, departed at once for America, — such immediate removal to a foreign clime being the paramount condition of the compact. They have never since been heard of, but still, as I just now said, there is always the possibility, if not the probability, of some of them turning up —” “‘ And the name of this family?” said Adolphus, quickly. “I do not know it,” replied the earl, “‘ and I can give the most satisfactory reason in the world, — which is, that I never knew it. Even if the late countess intended to men- tion it, she did not, which is just the same thing as if she had never meant to tell me at all.” The old nobleman, having spoken in a serious and deliber- ate manner for some time, was now relapsing into his wonted frivolity, which only served to aggravate the bitterness of feelings experienced by the wretched Adolphus. The latter began to pace the library in an agitated manner, and vainly did he essay to collect his thoughts sufficiently for calm deliberation. It was a fearful blow which had struck him, and though the truth had been revealed slowly by his puta- tive father, the effect was nevertheless as if it had smitten him with a most cruel abruptness. As we have already said, the only glimmer of light which penetrated into the darkness of his mind arose from the fact that his amour with Ethel had ceased to wear an incestuous aspect. But on the other hand, in what a position stood he? At any moment an acci- dent might unmask him; some unforeseen circumstance might suddenly transpire to prove to the whole world that instead of being the rightful heir to the earldom and estates of Lascelles, he was in reality an interloper in the family. “Now I suppose, Adolphus,” said the earl, accosting him, “you will consent to marry your cousin Isabel, and I will ring the bell at once to let her know she is to send for the milliner and order the wedding-dress.”’ “No, no, for Heaven’s sake act not thus precipitately! ”’ exclaimed Adolphus. “ At least give me four and twenty hours to reflect.”’ “Four and twenty hours to reflect,” ejaculated the old nobleman. ‘‘ Why, I never reflected for four and twenty hours running in all my life.” CONMIC DOO) KS (C() mM