The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 377: what you’re looking at

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

you your revenge. I was a considerable winner last ht.” wer thaw! a mere trifle!” “Twas astonished at my good fortune,” Wilmott. “I am generally so unlucky.” _ “Then pursue the fickle goddess,” observed Paulo, “while her favours last; she is a mistress who re- quires constant wooing, or her smiles soon change to “And that,” chimed in the countess, “ may be the reason why men remain true to her. The love which is lightly won is in general as lightly prized; diffi- culty seems necessary to secure constancy in your fickle sex.” “And what,” demanded the count, “ will secure it yours?” “ Respect,” replied the lady, haughtily ; “no woman of mind ever loves where she despises. But really, Monsieur Wilmott must excuse me: it is time that I should dress. Adien.” The gentleman took the hint, made his bow, and departed. No sooner had he left the room than the manner of the pretended count entirely changed ; his jr a smiles were altered to ascowl of jealousy and “ You love that fellow, madame?” he observed. “With about as much passion as I do yon,” coolly replied the countess, “Love! no, Paulo, no; that dream is ended for ever. I have been wakened from it too rudely ever to dream again.” ‘So you said after the death of-——” “ Name him not!” she exclaimed, starting from her seat, “ unless you wish to drive ma mad. Leave me! Am I ever to be tortured with these insulting, degrad- ing suspicions?” _ “TJ overheard your confidence with the English- ) man,” added the count, _ © Thepe it amused you then,” she replied carelessly, “for it is much more than it did me. Do you wish te drive me mad with this folly? Confidence! what confidence, except of crime, have I to give him who commanded me fo attract his attention, and, if possible, to obtain an interest in his heart? you! to lead him to the gaming-table? you! and now, when, like a slave, I have done your bidding, you turn round with your ridiculous suspicions! 1 am tired of them.” “Forgive me!” ho said, perfectly reassured by her manner, for he had not really overheard a syllable, which the countess well knew; “were you but once my wife, I should cease to be jealous.” “‘ Doubtless.” “And will you never reward my long-enduring con. stancy and passion—my services.” “T have rewarded them,” said the lady, proudly; “T have linked my fortunes with yours—it will be your own fault if ever they are separated. Mean, ‘ig treacherous, and cruel, as I know your nature to be, I have consented to pass in the eyes of the world as your wife, or mistress. The debt is paid, There is a pitch of degradation to which I cannot descend.” “You forget,” observed the rascal, “that my evi- dence can send you to the scaffold?” “Not unless you share it with me,” retorted the countess, now fully roused from her usual apathetic manner. “ Fulfil your threat—denounce me, I am weary of life and its humiliations. Repeat but one word of menace to me again, and I seek the cabinet of Delessert—confess all. He will be glad to learn LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF LONDON LIFE 3°5 that the man who#é” forgeries shook the faith of the public in the Bank of France is still in Paris.” The count trembled at the name of the prefect of police—trembled lest any servant in the antechamber should have heard the fearful words. He knew that if it came to a crisis his accomplice possessed ten times more courage than he did, and that in a moment of excitement she was perfectly capable of denounc- ing both him and herself to justice; he therefore judged it best to soothe her, “Come!” he exclaimed, “let us be friends. For- give this; the unfertunate passion makes me mad— unjust,” “ More,” added the lady; “it makes you a fool as well as villain.” “T am jealous,” “Of aman whom you requested me to flatter and lead to his ruin. ButI have done with him; from this time forth I am a stranger to him.” “ Are you serious ?” he demanded, “You ought to know that I seldom change my resolution,” replied the lady; “it has been kept on a more important point than this. Paulo, I never yet deceived you with respect to my feelings. Did I love this stranger, it is not the fear of your resentment that would make me pause. For the last time I warn you, proveke me not beyond the power of en- durance—I forgive not twice.” With this caution they separated; the lady to her toilette, the gentleman to make arrangements for the evening assembly, during which he trusted to plunder the man he hated. But for the compact between the countess and Wilmott he would have succeeded, but the tables were turned against him. That same night his destined dupe, following the instructions he had received, played high, and won almost every turn of the game. The count was furious, and Faddle, who witnessed the success of his victim with ill-concealed envy, enraged beyond description, urged on by his evil destiny, staked large sums and lost every thing. So cold was the manner of the lady, se studied her avoidance of Wilmott, that even Paulo’s jealous nature was satisfied, the least suspicion vanished, and al- though he felt heated and vexed at his success, still, as his losses were compensated in part by his winnings from Faddle and the rest, he bore them patiently, not doubting but that Fortune would turn her back at last upon the man whom she now appeared to smile upon. “Tam a winner,” said Wilmott to his companion a3 they left the house together, “ And 1a beggar,” gloomily replied Faddle,“ unless you assist me,” “Did you ever asgist me?” demanded his dupe. “Was it ever in my power?” “ Yes; but I willnotreproach you. You found me young, full of confidence in human nature, rich and respected ; ask your heart what you have made me.” “TI would have made you a man.” “ An assassin, you mean.” “A truce with this,” said the hardened villain; “I need no mock repentance; your good fortune swells you with confidence; it may not always last; fare- well.” ~ “Nay, you leave me not so; here aro five thousand francs ; take them from the man you have systemati- cally plundered and degraded; they may help, if not to mend your broken fortunes, at least to keep you from starvation.” iGO fl NIGDOO KS (EO)