The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF TILE COURT. oe | ee = (La SZ ee a ** Listen to me, I implore you, Miss Trelawney,” said the Earl, joining his hands and assuming a look of the most passionate entreaty. “Proceed, my lord,” she observed, in a cold tone and with a dignified reserve of manner, as she resumed her seat upon the sofa. “Will you promise to hear me patiently and with- out interruption to the eud?” asked Curzon, in a tone of appeal that was even as self-humiliating as if he were about to demand pardon for a crime. “{ will pledge myself to nothing, my lord,” said Venetia. “And now the idea strikes me that it is altogether preposterous—incredib!e—unheard of, that so serious a conversation should arise between individuals who meet for the first time—who have not known each other quite twenty minutes—and whom the merest accident in the world brought to- gether at all.” “Tt is strange, no doubt—and my conduct must appear extraordinary to a deyree,” returned the * ! Win SAAR dh ‘ oan \ ] Wii ¥ CERUNUAY AA AE —— se ee 17 ere | } MUTA UL i Mat] ae } mh cat ar Aa eS are n| | wil j by ' my Hii} Ae a a (lan Hin \ nobleman. “ But once more I beseech youto give me a hearing and allow me to explain—perhaps to justify—myself.” “Had you not rendered me a service ere now, ny lord,” said Venetia, *‘ I should at once refuse your request. But as you presume upon the obli- gation under which you have laid me, [ have no alternative than to listen.” “Ah! Miss Trelawney,’ cried the Earl, now pained and grieved by the rebuke which had been conveyed in terms so cutting and yet at the same time so dignified and so thoroughly lady-like,— “if you place the matter in that point of view, I must at once retire, crushed and humiliated, from your presence! But I cannot think you so un- generous as to refuse me the opportunity of an explanation upon terms that shall be totally irrespective of any little service which I may have been fortunate enough to render, What is your decision, Miss Trelawney ?” Ji COnMiGIOokKS:EO